Spaza Shop Interviews

Spaza Shop Interviews

At the start of our project, we felt that we could gain a better understanding of Monwabisi Park businesses by interviewing several different business owners. We asked key questions that focused on learning about how each business was doing. Below are the profiles of four businesses along Mew Way and within Monwabisi Park.

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Chu Chu Cash Store

  • How long have you been in business?
    • About 6 years
  • Has business been getting better or worse?
    • Better
  • Are you happy with your business?
    • Yes, fairly happy
  • How do you get your goods? How long does it take?
    • Coca Cola delivers directly to her, but she gets other items at the grocery store
    • Must take a taxi to store over an hour away
  • What’s the most popular item you sell?
    • Drinks, bread, and sweets
  • Has your business ever been a victim of crime?
    • She herself has never been a victim of a crime, but has heard stories about others
  • Other notes
    • Had several video games in the store that she said she makes some money off of
    • Coca cola printed her sign, but they provide no endorsements
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Aubrey Cash Store

  • How long have you been in business?
    • 2 years
  • Has business been getting better or worse?
    • Not sure how business has changed
  • Are you happy with your business?
    • Kinda happy with business
  • How do you get your goods? How long does it take?
    • Goes out to a store to buy goods, takes about 2 hours
  • What’s the most popular item you sell?
    • Drinks and cigarettes
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Makhaya’s Fruit and Veg

  • How long have you been in business?
    • 5 years
  • Has business been getting better or worse?
    • Better
  • Are you happy with your business?
    • Yes, business is doing well
  • How do you get your goods? How long does it take?
    • Purchases the fruit, chicken, and ice cream every day
    • It’s far away, takes transport which costs money
  • What’s the most popular item you sell?
    • Ice cream and drinks
  • Has your business ever been a victim of crime?
    • Hasn’t had any crime issues but is aware of the crime in the area, especially rape
    • Feels safe with her business
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Tyopho Cash Store

  • How long have you been in business?
    • From January of this year, about 10 months
  • Has business been getting better or worse?
    • Can’t really answer that
  • Are you happy with your business?
    • Quite fine
  • How do you get your goods? How long does it take?
    • Takes about 30 minutes by transport
  • What’s the most popular item you sell?
    • Bread, but sweets and cigarettes are also popular
  • Has your business ever been a victim of crime?
    • Nothing yet, but is really uncomfortable here
  • Other notes
    • She arrived from the Eastern Cape about 8 years ago and wasn’t expecting this