South Africa

Government has appealed to South Africans not to block those people who want to register their spaza shops.

Government will draw on lessons learnt during the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccination programme - in its rollout of a public education and awareness campaign on foodborne illnesses.

Work to establish a R500 million joint fund to support township and rural businesses - including local convenience shops - is underway.

The importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives’ development in advancing South Africa’s broader economic goals will come in to focus at the National Presidential MSME and Cooperatives Awards on Friday.

South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre has, in terms Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, classified the recent uptick in foodborne illnesses across the country as a national disaster.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested the National Assembly to consider afresh the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment (RICA) Bill.

Rand Water has appointed the Centre for Biological Control to assist with biocontrol on the Vaal River Barrage reservoir.

The tragic cases of foodborne illnesses have brought to the fore pressing concerns over the health, safety and hygiene standards in community retail outlets. While these outlets provide a valuable service to communities, their inadequate hygiene practices often leave communities vulnerable to foodborne illnesses.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed interim board members for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) with effect from 1 December 2024 until a new board is appointed.

Government is “moving with the necessary speed” to finalise South Africa's draft Gas Master Plan.

With the clock ticking for rural and township spaza owners and vendors to register their businesses, government has provided a guide for entrepreneurs on how to approach the process of applying for a traders' permit.

South Africa is making the most of the available opportunities to drive industrialisation through global decarbonisation efforts, says Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau.

The tourism sector is a dynamic economic force that contributes significantly to worldwide gross domestic product (GDP)while creating jobs and fostering human development.

As township and rural entrepreneurs throughout the country are getting their papers in order to ensure they are compliant with government regulations to run a spaza shop, the great news is that once they have a valid trading permit, they can apply for funding from government institutions.

Government has introduced a new standard draft by-law for township economies, which offers a simplified permitting and registration process.