Lolo Madonsela
Following a week-long protest by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Clicks stores throughout the country, the Clicks Group has committed itself to work with the Department of Small Business Development to boost spending on SMMEs.
The Clicks Group and United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD) have committed to increase spending on SMMEs, as well as increase support for local beauty / hair care brands and other products.
The EFF protest action saw about 425 Clicks stores being affected, leaving some of the stores vandalised.
At a meeting with Minister of Small Business Development Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Clicks Group CEO Vikesh Ramsunder said, “I am humbled and encouraged by our interaction with the Honourable Minister, as I believe we can jointly find a constructive solution to the regrettable incident.”
He reiterated the apology to Ntshavheni and said he ‘noted that the material was insensitive and left him devastated’. Ntshavheni said the department will assist Clicks to focus on SMMEs that are owned by blacks, women, youth and people with disabilities.
She also committed her department and agencies to assist SMMEs with the potential to supply to the Clicks Group – having compliance to product quality, safety standards and regulatory requirements – including assistance to upscale their manufacturing capacity.
The product that caused the uproar has since been removed from Clicks shelves.
Also read: Vryheid KZN – EFF protests against Clicks stores nationwide
“Clicks preferential procurement spend currently stands at 50.2% and in 2019, spending on suppliers stood at R26.7 billion,” read a statement by the Clicks Group.
The EFF has since called off the protest and stated that they will engage further with the Clicks Group on matters of transformation relating to procurement, empowerment, employment equity, localisation and diversification of its supplier base. The EFF further cited that it will work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that, “Agent provocateurs involved in the vandalism of Cliks stores are brought to book.” This after the Clicks store in eMalahleni was allegedly petrol bombed and a few other stores were ransacked.
In a statement issued by the EFF, the party indicated that some of the agreements with the Clicks Group included a donation of 50,000 sanitary towels, and 50,000 sanitizers and face masks to rural and informal settlements identified by the EFF.
Additionally, “Clicks will award a scholarship to five students to pursue pharmaceutical qualifications in the next academic year (2021). All five must be black, rural, African, female and orphaned by HIV/Aids.”
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