The Real Truth

In both aspects for SMME businesses whether reputably wildly successful or having carved out a modest, job- creating and sustainable success in its own right, these two businesses are facing down stark challenges- one more heartbreakingly morbid than the other.

It is important to maintain a human perspective on the take of struggling businesses. These aren’t just non living organisms.
These businesses help to improve the quality of life for many South Africans and restoring dignity to many impoverished South African homes.

South African restauranteur Natasha Sideris, owner of successful Tasha’s restaurant says Covid-19 “… is just the nail in the coffin for the restaurant industry”. Sideris says sit down restaurants will continue to operate under financial loss for a while even after lockdown ends. Dining out will only be allowed at level 1. Natasha says that although she understands why the lockdown placements are necessary, government, landlords and aggregators need to cooperate with the commercial sector, more especially restaurants. It is a well-known fact that restaurants already operate under small margins.

Durban based- KZN Roller Shutter Doors Manufacturers shuts down after struggling to keep afloat during the lockdown. The owner (who wished to remain anonymous) gravely expressed how fed up he was with the general exclusionary policies against SMMEs and how lightly and superficially commercial matters were handled by the government on the ground. He continued that given how unstable the economy already was, the preventive and protective measures seemed to be more of benefit to the businesses at the top.

Th e policies and funding solutions ensured that these businesses who weren’t necessarily in a state of crisis were stabilized and little consideration was given to the reality of the plight that the broader scope of SMMEs would be facing.