The City of Johannesburg is stepping up efforts to support local businesses in Orange Farm, with a recent workshop aimed at empowering spaza shop owners and informal traders.
The Region G1 Gauteng Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Expo Summit Regional Workshop, held on 10 April 2026 at the Extension 1 Hall, brought together traders, entrepreneurs, banks, and support organisations to share practical tools, advice, and opportunities to help small businesses grow.
The workshop forms part of the build-up to the Gauteng Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Expo Summit set for September 2026, with a strong focus on helping township businesses become more sustainable and compliant.
In communities like Orange Farm, where many families rely on informal trade for income, initiatives like this are seen as key to strengthening the local economy and opening doors for small business owners.
One of the key focus areas was helping traders access better financial and digital tools. Representatives from Altron FinTech said they are working to bring services closer to township businesses.
“We are trying to set foot in the locations because most service providers do not reach the kasi space. We want to digitise the kasi economy, especially payments and collections, and support businesses to become compliant,” said Kamohelo from Altron FinTech.
Access to support when things go wrong was also highlighted. The National Financial Ombud Scheme encouraged traders to use their free services to resolve disputes.
“Our vision is to assist the community in resolving disputes with creditors, banks and insurers. Our services are free of charge, and the people of Orange Farm need to know that we are here to assist, including spaza shop owners,” said Jacob from the scheme.
New funding solutions for informal traders were also introduced. Myx Pay shared how they are offering alternatives to traditional banking.
“We provide merchants with point-of-sale machines and revolving funding tailored to informal traders, offering a different approach from traditional banks,” said Mlungisi from Myx Pay.
Consumer protection and compliance were also key topics during the session. The National Consumer Commission reminded business owners about the importance of understanding and following the law.
“Our mandate is to protect consumer rights, enforce them, and educate businesses about their responsibilities. We want SMMEs to comply and thrive,” said Khethabahle from the Commission.
The workshop highlighted a growing push to ensure that township businesses are not left behind, with more support, access, and information being brought directly into communities like Orange Farm.
