Call to extend curfew- every hour of trading is vital for businesses
15 January 2021
I have written to Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to implore her to consider and lobby for the extension of the current curfew of 21:00 to be extended.
I have been inundated with calls and correspondence from desperate businesses in hospitality, manufacturing, retail and SMMEs across the business value chain, including the Cape Chamber of Commerce and the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), who, after just managing to survive the first round of lockdowns, are now facing closure due to having to close their doors at 20:00.
Losing trading hours every night has pushed many businesses to the brink, with many not being able to retain customers, pay bills, or keep staff employed.
Our local economy relies on the food and beverage, manufacturing, hospitality and retail sectors, including service providers, for jobs and economic activity. We know that, according to the latest information from Statistics South Africa, the tourism sector added R18,1 billion to our economy and supported just over 113 000 jobs in 2018.