“Bulk buy,” communities urged as fight against counterfeit goods continues

Non-profit organisations focused on township development are proposing an innovative solution to address the recent surge in suspected food-poisoning deaths. 

They suggest that communities come together to purchase goods in bulk from trusted suppliers. 

As calls intensify for the closure of non-compliant spaza shops and for South Africans to reclaim the township economy, The Dora Tamana Cooperative Agency (DTCA) believes this strategy can work similarly to a local stokvel, with some residents entrusted with distributing the bulk goods.

Despite this, however, concerns have been raised that the abrupt closure of many non-compliant spaza shops may force communities to travel long distances for essentials such as bread, milk, and other goods, spending money they do not have.

Some Mamelodi residents have also expressed reservations about the DTCA’s call for them to consider bulk buying, citing the convenience of their local spaza shops as a major factor. 

Following the death of yet another school pupil in a suspected food-poisoning incident in Diepkloof, The National Small Business and Cooperative Association was set to host a training session for spaza shop owners in Mamelodi today. 

The event was, however, postponed and will be held at a date yet to be announced. It is aimed at providing crucial training on small business development and fostering a new sense of business confidence in aspiring township entrepreneurs.