The Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), in partnership with the National Empowerment Fund and the Department of Small Business Development, is hosting an outreach programme for spaza shop owners in Polokwane on 23 July 2026. This is a crucial opportunity for township and rural entrepreneurs to access the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund, which provides up to R300,000 per business through grants and low-interest loans.
The event will take place at Jack Botes Hall from 10:00 to 12:00, with officials on hand to guide business owners through the application process. The fund has already approved over 2,300 enterprises nationally, with R79.6 million disbursed by SEDFA alone.
What You Will Learn at the Outreach
Attendees will receive practical guidance on:
- Eligibility requirements for the Spaza Shop Support Fund
- Application processing and documentation
- Business compliance and registration with municipalities
- Financial and business development support available
Documents You Must Bring
To make the most of this opportunity, bring the following documents:
- ID Document
- Business Licence/Trading Permit (issued by the municipality)
- Certificate of Acceptability (for food handling)
- Proof of Residential Address
- CIPC Registration Document (CIPC 14.5 – required for funding above R80,000)
- Valid SARS Tax Clearance Pin or Tax Compliance Certificate
- Stamped Bank Statement
- Lease Agreement/Title Deed/Permission to Occupy
- Any correspondence relating to an existing application
Related opportunity: Apply Now: GEC+Africa 2026 Pitch Competition Final Call
Key Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the fund, you must:
- Be a South African citizen (or naturalised before 1994)
- Own and operate a spaza shop in a township or rural area
- Have a valid trading licence or municipal permit
- Be registered with SARS (with a six-month grace period allowed)
Event Details
- Date: 23 July 2026
- Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Venue: Jack Botes Hall, Polokwane, Capricorn District
For more information: rmatabane@sedfa.org.za
How to apply: Visit www.spazashopfund.co.za or your nearest SEDFA office.
Priority is given to youth (18-35), women-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs with disabilities.
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