Good side of spaza shops

Here's been a lot of conversation lately about foreigner-owned spaza shops across the country, especially with the alarming incidents of food poisoning.

- Thando Nondywana

People are debating about the businesses, some even calling for stricter regulations, or shutting them down.

But I find myself thinking beyond the surface of these debates.

I'm not interested in the business side of things, but rather to explore the beauty of the human side behind some of these stores.

The friendships I've formed with some of them echo in my head and as I write this. I'm fascinated by how the shopkeepers are able to embed themselves so seamlessly into our communities.

They make an effort.

Many of them even try to learn our languages and pick up the local lingo.

You go to buy from them two or three times and by the fourth visit, they know your name, what you are likely to buy and greet you like an old friend.

It's heart-warming and authentic, a reminder of the human side of business.

Maybe it's easy for me to connect with people.