KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says the provincial government intends to strengthen locally owned spaza shops following research into the sector’s ownership and trading practices. Ntuli says foreign nationals own nearly 60% of spaza shops, with the pattern concentrated in urban and coastal areas. He attributes competitive pressure on local operators to factors including bulk purchasing arrangements and the availability of illicit goods, which he says can help foreign-owned shops keep prices lower or maintain supply advantages.
The remarks come as the province considers measures to improve support for local retailers and reduce disadvantages faced by South African-owned businesses. The stated aim is to ensure the spaza sector remains more accessible to locally owned operators, particularly in areas where foreign ownership is most pronounced.
The provincial government’s next steps are not detailed in the available report, but Ntuli frames the planned intervention as a response to evidence gathered through research about ownership concentration and competitive dynamics in the retail outlet category.
