LocationsLeading from Within: How Young People Are Transforming Township Food Systems.
May 11, 2026
A DIME Ambassador supports community members in accessing digital payment services, helping to expand financial inclusion and strengthen local livelihoods.
By Dakalo Ramudidibi and Janet Thorlie
In the bustling, sun-soaked streets of Alexandra, Soweto, and Tembisa, a quiet transformation is underway. One spaza shop at a time, a new generation of young people is reshaping how township businesses operate, grow, and embrace food safety standards through digital tools. These are 40 Youth Digital Ambassadors under the Digital Innovation for Modernising the Independent Economy (DIME) initiative.
They move between shops, greeting owners, asking questions, and introducing new ways of working. Sometimes met with hesitation, they lean into conversation, demonstrating rather than directing. Equipped with handheld devices running the Spazamisa App, a single platform that integrates digital ID, food safety checks, and stock tracking, making it easier for township retailers to run their businesses safely and efficiently.
In 2024, a series of foodborne illness outbreaks resulting in several deaths brought renewed attention to the everyday realities of food safety in township communities. Families were affected, trust in local food sources was shaken, and the limitations of existing systems became clear. Many spaza shop owners operate with limited access to consistent guidance, tools, or support to manage food safety risks effectively. DIME was developed in response to this moment, not only to address immediate concerns, but to provide a longer-term solution that empowers shop owners with the knowledge and tools to run safer, more reliable businesses.
Central to the initiative was UNDP’s investment in youth as drivers of change. Through targeted training and the provision of digital tools, young people were equipped to support township businesses, while gaining practical experience and skills relevant to the digital economy. Some were studying, others juggling part-time work, while many were emerging from periods of unemployment. As part of their daily work schedule, the ambassadors move from spaza shop to the next, ensuring that spaza shop owners understand what Spazamisa is, how it works, and why it matters. They guide owners through the tool’s functionality, explaining how it helps identify food safety risks, improve hygiene practices, and strengthen compliance with health and safety standards, ultimately protecting both businesses and the communities they serve.
Junior Mashau’s journey is one of growth, initiative, and developing confidence through opportunity. When he discovered the DIME programme, he applied despite having no prior experience, driven by a willingness to learn and challenge himself. Since joining, Junior has built strong practical skills and confidence in engaging with others. His days start early as he moves door to door across Tembisa, working directly with spaza shop owners. He applies insights from Spazamisa to support them with food storage and safety practices, demonstrating both technical understanding and the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully.
“Being a DIME ambassador makes me part of the solution,” he says. “I am helping spaza shops sell food that is not harmful to the consumers.” Through his work, Junior has developed skills such as communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving. One moment that stood out to him was when a shop owner he had assisted during onboarding later reached out again for further support. “That showed me that the work we are doing really matters,” he says; a reflection of the trust he has built in his community.Alongside his fieldwork, Junior has gained hands-on experience in data capturing and analysis, sparking a strong interest in data-driven work. He now hopes to further his studies in data analytics, using the skills and experience he has gained through DIME as a foundation for a future career in the digital economy.
For Kgomotso Mokgawa from Tembisa, the opportunity came at a time when she was already balancing her hospitality studies with part-time work in retail. Despite having limited experience in data capturing and minimal exposure to the internet, she applied immediately, motivated by her willingness to learn and grow.In her role as a DIME ambassador, Kgomotso has developed both technical and interpersonal skills. She notes that the experience has enhanced her confidence in using digital tools and engaging effectively with diverse individuals. Engaging daily with spaza shop owners from different backgrounds has strengthened her adaptability and ability to connect with others. What began as a new challenge quickly became a space for personal growth.
“DIME has helped me to speak up more and stop being shy. I am now able to hold an interactive conversation.” Her work reflects a strong sense of purpose and attention to detail, particularly when supporting shop owners to improve food safety practices. She takes pride in moments where collaboration leads to meaningful change. “When I approach a shop with SpazaMisa and the owner is interactive and wants to see change, that is the moment I feel proud of the work that we are doing in the community,” she says. “We are able to advise spaza owners, using the analysis, on what they can change or clean so that food does not get contaminated.” This experience has also helped shape her future ambitions. Exposure to food safety standards and on-the-ground problem-solving has inspired her to pursue a qualification in health and safety, while continuing to build toward her longer-term goal of starting her own catering business.
In Alexandra, Nokwazi Mokoena’s experience completes the shared narrative. She joined DIME driven by a clear intention to grow, gain new skills, and take meaningful steps toward shaping her future.“I applied because it felt like the perfect opportunity to gain new skills, build experience, and commit to improving my future,” she says.
Through her experience, Nokwazi has developed a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism. She approaches her work with care and consistency, understanding that reliability is key to building trust with spaza shop owners. “There is nothing worse than explaining DIME to a shop owner, having them agree, and then the app fails you,” she explains. “Being prepared is the only way to do this job well.”Reaching her daily targets brings a sense of pride that goes beyond numbers. “I am proud not just because I reach my target, but because I am helping by bringing technology into everyday township operations,” Nokwazi says. “I get to watch my community evolve and improve.” Through her work, she has strengthened her communication skills across languages and cultures, while also building confidence through daily problem-solving and collaboration. These experiences have deepened her interest in work that sits at the intersection of community development, digital innovation, and public engagement areas she is eager to continue exploring as she grows her career.
Across their journey, these experiences reveal the deeper impact of DIME. While strengthening food safety and business practices in township spaza shops, the ambassadors are also building confidence, digital skills and exposure to new career pathways, from health and safety and data analytics to entrepreneurship and community engagement. At the core, this is a story about young people at the centre of change.
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