Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
18 December 2024 | 11:34 CAT

Deadline Passed: Spaza Shop Registration Closed on 17 December 2024.

As the deadline for Spaza shop registration drew to a close, concerns mounted over the significant hurdles foreign nationals face in South Africa. This 21-day deadline, introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month to curb the rise of food-borne illnesses, has revealed deep-rooted systemic and societal challenges.

Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda, Chairperson of the African Diaspora Forum, emphasized the critical issues during an interview with Radio Islam International. “Language barriers remain one of the biggest challenges,” he stated. Many Spaza shop owners are asylum seekers from countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia, where English is not the primary language. These individuals often struggle to complete registration forms written exclusively in English despite calls for translation services.

Dr Sibanda highlighted that these shop owners are not typical migrants but individuals fleeing dire circumstances. He noted, “They’ve come to South Africa out of necessity, not choice, and face additional delays due to understaffed municipal offices and inefficiencies at Home Affairs.”

Beyond administrative obstacles, hostility towards foreign nationals further complicates the process. According to Dr. Sibanda, xenophobic sentiments are often fueled by opportunistic politicians who blame migrants for poor service delivery and unemployment. “There’s a narrative that foreign nationals are taking over business spaces, which is unfair and unfounded,” he explained.

Reports of underhanded tactics have also emerged. In Soweto, for instance, landlords initially assisting foreign shop owners with registration are allegedly pressured to withdraw their support. Dr Sibanda described these incidents as “hostile takeovers” linked to the government’s economic recovery agenda.

Despite these challenges, foreign nationals contribute significantly to the economy by creating jobs and fostering local entrepreneurship. Dr Sibanda concluded with a plea for inclusivity: “We hope the government addresses these issues to create a fairer system for everyone.”

As the clock ticks towards the final hours of the registration deadline, it remains to be seen whether these systemic barriers will be dismantled or persist, leaving countless shop owners in limbo.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda, Chairperson of the African Diaspora Forum, here.