Zululand township entrepreneurs on the move during lockdown
New spaza shops, delivery services and food outlets are mushrooming during the Covid-19 pandemic
WHILE the country struggles with the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, some business-minded Zululanders are finding creative ways of turning the situation in their favour.
With lockdown regulations still enforced and movement limited, many entrepreneurs have found lucrative business opportunities to keep them going, such as opening tuck shops, food outlets and delivery services in townships such as Ngwelezana, eSikhaleni, eNseleni and eMadlankala.
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‘Given the circumstances, we were forced to fast-track a spaza shop project in Ngwelezana, for example.
‘We created a funding model which is self-sustainable, enabling locals to be in full control on their spaza shops,’ said one owner, Mpendulo Mbulawo.
‘The plan is to introduce bulk buying, thus qualifying for massive discounts which will make us competitive.’
With restaurants closed, others have tapped into food delivery businesses.
‘People are scared of going out and they want to get things delivered to them.
‘I was retrenched because of the virus and decided to buy two bikes to deliver food in eSikhaleni and surrounding areas,’ said Sipho Mtshali.
Other businesses that surfaced are mobile barber shops and hair stylists, online boutiques and ‘Shisanyama’ outlets where owners braai and deliver meals to households.
Some youngsters have even started grocery deliveries, especially for senior citizens.
‘Old people are most at risk and most don’t want to visit supermarkets.
We pick up their grocery lists, do their shopping and deliver it at their homes for a small fee.
That way we help them while earning a little cash,’ said Skhumbuso Sibiya.
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