Small businesses in desperate need of financial relief
Owners say they might have to close shop for good following last week’s unrest and looting.
Kwa-Thema – Small business owners expressed their disbelief at the recent looting as they are left to pick up the pieces.
The violence, which was seen across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, has affected small businesses within Kwatsaduza, including informal traders.
Some claim they might have to close shop for good following last week’s unrest and looting. The owners of House of Pita, Vusi and Sibongile Khumalo, said to re-open they will need a minimum of R200 000.
The couple told the African Reporter all their equipment and stock was stolen during the looting.
“They took our ice-cream machine, deep fryer, tables and chairs, including the fridge. We are left with absolutely nothing,” said Sibongile.
“In the two years we have been operating here we have never seen anything like this. I don’t think we are over the shock as yet.”
Vusi said starting a business is not easy and takes a lot of work, investment and time to build it up.
“What was done by the community is extremely horrible. People have now lost an income. Having businesses within communities provides easy access to the needs of residents,” he said.
Another shop owner who has been badly affected by the looting is Sandra Williams, who said damages to her shop will cost around R120 000.
The shop has been operating at Kwa-Thema Square for six years.
“Not once in my wildest dreams did I ever think the very same people we service would do something like this to us. Now we can’t work at all since we have lost everything. We also don’t feel safe anymore,” she explained.
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