Over 50,000 spaza shops registered as 13 December deadline looms: 'Everybody’s cautious now'

Africa Melane interviews Rosheda Muller, President of the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA).

Listen below.

In line with President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive, spaza shop owners must register their businesses by 13 December.

This initiative is a response to the growing concerns over food-borne illnesses across South Africa.

Muller notes that over 50,000 spaza shops have already been registered or re-registered, and for many of these businesses, operations continue as usual. 

"I think everybody's much more cautious now and lots of upgrading is taking place."

- Rosheda Muller, National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa

Muller does not believe that President Ramaphosa is so 'insensitive' that he would shut down shops that fail to meet the deadline.

Instead, she suggests he will take a broader view, recognising that livelihoods are at stake.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.