By Teboho Reginald Selelane
President South African Union of Spaza Shops (SAUSS)
The South African Union of Spaza Shops (SAUSS) stands unapologetically and unequivocally to demand the IMMEDIATE REMOVAL of the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Enough is enough.
For years, township and micro-entrepreneurs have been lied to, sidelined, and exploited under the watch of this Minister.
The Department of Small Business Development was created to uplift, empower, and protect the very people who form the backbone of our economy the spaza shop owners and SMMEs.
Instead, under Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams, it has become a department of scandals, corruption, exclusion, and broken promises.
THE CHARGES AGAINST HER ARE CLEAR:
1. R500 MILLION SPAZA SHOP FUNDING SCANDAL
Billions were announced for township spaza shops. Where is the money? There has been *no clear, transparent, or fair distribution. No accountability.
No results. Just empty press statements and photo opportunities while our members continue to starve.
2. EXCLUSION OF REAL SPAZA SHOP OWNERS
This Minister and her Department deliberately bypassed real spaza shop owners.
They chose instead to favour politically connected individuals and big companies. This is not empowerment.
This is state capture in small business clothing. This is corruption.
3. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY & OVERSIGHT
There has been no proper reporting, no audits, no monitoring.
We ask again: Where has the money gone? Why are spaza shops still closing in their thousands while funds were “allocated”?
4. BROKEN PROMISES & ZERO IMPACT
Job creation? Training? Support for township businesses? NONE OF IT MATERIALISED.
While spaza shops are collapsing, her department is busy with vanity projects and PR stunts.
5. DISRESPECT & DISCONNECTION
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams has shown arrogance and disdain towards township business owners.
She has ignored our voices, dismissed our struggles, and treated our rightful demands with contempt.
THE MINISTER HAS BETRAYED THE TRUST OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS AND FAILED TO DELIVER ON HER MANDATE.
SAUSS therefore calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Parliament to remove Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams with immediate effect.
South Africa cannot afford another day of failed leadership in the portfolio that is supposed to drive township economic growth.
We will not be silenced. We will not beg.
We marched on 30 June. We will MARCH AND MARCH UNTIL WE WIN.
TO GOVERNMENT: RESPECT US.
TO GOVERNMENT: SUPPORT US.
OR STEP ASIDE.
Spaza shop owners are not a charity case. We are job creators, taxpayers, and the engine of the township economy.
We demand accountability, transparency, and leadership that serves the people not political elites.
SAUSS WILL NOT REST UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE.
*ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL!
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