Innovation

Shopping for the future

Are next-gen spaza shops the key to transforming South Africa’s townships?

11 July 2018

"I was shocked when I was told that I could own a spaza shop,” says Chris Gqogqa, the first mSpaza franchisee. “Especially as a person living with a disability, because some of us thought that if you are physically challenged, or you are disabled, you can’t do anything, you must depend on government. I hope this will inspire people like me, especially in townships.”

If all goes to plan, in five years’ time, Gqogqa will be outright owner of the first mSpaza shop, located on a busy intersection in Site B, Khayelitsha, the largest of Cape Town’s townships. When we speak, however, he is still waiting for the shop’s interior to be completed, and for his stock to arrive. The WiFi service is already online.

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