The development of Spazas in South Africa

It is useful to understand how spaza shops have developed in South Africa. “‘Spaza’ means ‘hidden’ in Zulu.  The term arose during the apartheid era, when restrictions were placed on black people running businesses” (Bear, 2005). During the apartheid era, many of these shops were established alongside or within people’s homes in order to elude the authorities. Spaza shop owners today set up their shops in their residences out of economic necessity rather than fear of persecution.

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