The eSpaza
Kasi story
The eSpaza Kasi story
2020 to today
From a single Soweto spaza to South Africa's community-first digital marketplace — these are the moments that made eSpaza Kasi who we are.
2020
The idea is born
In the middle of a global pandemic, with township businesses cut off from customers and communities struggling to access essentials, a simple question was asked: why can't your local spaza be online? eSpaza Kasi was born from that question — and a belief that every kasi business deserves a digital presence.
2021
Building from the ground up
The first version of eSpaza Kasi launched with a handful of vendors in Soweto. No fancy offices, no venture capital — just a WhatsApp group, a scrappy team, and a lot of trust from local shop owners willing to try something new.
2022
The community shows up
Word spread fast. Salons, food vendors, hardware stores and creatives started listing on the platform. Customers realised they could support their neighbours with the same ease as ordering from a big retailer. The kasi was going online — on its own terms.
2023
Every neighbourhood, one platform
eSpaza Kasi expanded to townships across South Africa. Verified stores, real reviews, same-day delivery — and a growing community of buyers and sellers who understand that shopping local is more than a choice, it's a statement.
Food, fast
We launched dedicated food and beverage listings, connecting home cooks, street food vendors and kasi restaurants with hungry customers down the road. No middleman. No big delivery cut. Just food from your neighbourhood, to your door.
2023
Food, fast
We launched dedicated food and beverage listings, connecting home cooks, street food vendors and kasi restaurants with hungry customers down the road. No middleman. No big delivery cut. Just food from your neighbourhood, to your door.
2024
Beauty goes digital
Salons and stylists joined the platform in numbers. For the first time, a kasi salon could take bookings, showcase their work, and build a real customer base — all from a phone. Customers could finally book their favourite stylist without making three phone calls.
2024
Your kasi, online.
Today, eSpaza Kasi is South Africa's community-first digital marketplace — connecting spazas, salons, food vendors, services and creators with their neighbourhoods through one trusted platform. The story is just getting started. Every local store. One place. Online.