Cashbuild joins Khona La Stores to assist local spaza shops in Gauteng

Cashbuild has joined Khona La Local Stores to offer assistance to local Spaza Shops in Gauteng. Khona La Local Stores is a Network of Local Spaza Shops operating under the same brand name.

Cashbuild’s role will be in the form of building material donation for the upgrade of the selected shops during the programme’s pilot in Alexander, North of Johannesburg. Khona La aims to transform the township and rural retail market by creating eco-systems that benefit store owners (Network Partners) and the Community at large - i.e. local grocery shops benefit by saving time and money whilst also providing them with necessary training and skills development. Through Khona La Local Stores, consumer brands in the FMCG space will have the opportunity to be part of a sustainable and socially responsible project.

Head of Community Support at Cashbuild, Thembelani Tukwayo says the retailer believes in supporting communities where it trades. “This project is in line with our efforts of making a meaningful investment in our host communities.

What excites me most about this project is that it helps local entrepreneurs. There is a dire need to improve economic opportunities that are created at a local level, especially in the township and rural environments and this is where our stores are located,” says Mr Tukwayo.

The important role Spaza Shops play in the township and rural economy has long been acknowledged but there has been little assistance offered to them. Many of the Spaza Shops have poor facilities and Cashbuild’s donation will help them improve their building structure and hopefully be more attractive to local customers. “As part of this partnership with Khona La, we have offered to contribute building materials that are required for the upgrade of these Spaza Shops and this will help spruce up their image and I hope that the business will also be good,” explains Mr Tukwayo. Founder of Khona La Local Stores, Mxolisi G. Buthelezi has expressed his gratitude to Cashbuild. “We are excited about this partnership with Cashbuild. We look forward to a successful relationship with the company.”