Local business receives financial assistance to recover from the lockdown
Dada Maseko was sponsored to relaunch his business to something out of the ordinary.
A lot of businesses are still battling to get back on their feet after they were faced with challenges brought by the Covid-19 lockdown but the pandemic hasn’t been able to stifle the creativity of Nkululeko Dada Maseko, who has reinvented his hospitality business to meet the challenges head-on. 88 Beach Soweto.
“When Covid-19 hit, the gin bar we were running closed down and we came up with the idea to start something different for Vilakazi Street, which is very formal and mostly restaurants,” Maseko said.
The lockdown rules prohibited going out to party, so of course, the masses missed the life of partying, Maseko brought Sandton to Soweto, with 88 Beach Soweto which is situated in the larger outdoor space behind the former gin bar, bringing a luxury party beach vibe to Soweto’s most famous street, featuring a large area of beach sand.
“After a long time indoors, people needed something fresh, we had to come up with something different to make up for the lockdown period and this is the only beach venue in Soweto,” Dada said.
Cash flow has been tough during the lockdown and many jobs were lost as a result. Maseko’s hospitality business is one of 400 hospitality industry businesses that are receiving support from Diageo South Africa after the financial losses caused by the Covid-19 lockdown, with the #WeChoose campaign which provides a stock injection and marketing support, as well as a movement to ensure the promotion of responsible drinking.
“Diageo was a great help they put money into our bottom line and allowed us to trade by giving us stock. We are also investing in our infrastructure so that we have an indoor and outdoor venue that is suitable for all seasons. We have built a good business, but we understand this support is not compulsory,” said Maseko.
“The financial support had helped my business to relaunch the gin studio space as Society 88. We are currently doing well and can pay our staff,” he added.
Maseko said that although a lot of businesses are still struggling, it is possible to bounce back, he advised entrepreneurs to come up with fresh ideas to make up for the losses made during the lockdown period.
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