Soweto ready to host ANC
Businesses hope to profit from the ‘big’ conference
Businesses in Soweto are bracing for a massive boost when the 54th national elective conference of the ANC takes place next week.
The five-day conference, to be attended by more than 4 700 delegates, takes place from next Saturday until December 20 at the Nasrec Expo Centre, south of Joburg.
Local businesses have set their sights on exploiting the opportunities that will be presented by the thousands of delegates on their doorstep. Sakhumzi Maqubela, the owner of popular Soweto restaurant Sakhumzi, said preparations were not only limited to what the restaurant has to offer, but would be extended to creating employment.
“In terms of preparations, we will be bringing in more staff and offering young people an opportunity to be employed and [for them to] develop their skills in the hospitality industry,” he said.
“That will help them unlock doors in the future.”
He said his restaurant is in talks with ANC branches from as far as Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to secure reservations at his eatery.
“We make most of our money from selling food because 98% of our clients are here for food.
“Our preparations are determined by the bookings we have and, as such, we will prepare according to bookings we already have that were made up to three months ago.”
While Maqubela operates on famous Vilakazi Street, closer to the conference venue there is a tavern run by Xolile Mazibuko, who said he was cautiously increasing his stock ahead of the ANC conference.
“It’s normal to increase our stock in December, especially around the time the conference will be held because it’s the festive season.
“But I am also cautious about stocking up more than what I need because I am not absolutely certain that I will have an increased number of customers,” Mazibuko said.
However, he said he was hopeful that the influx of delegates would be financially beneficial to his business.
“We made a lot of money when the ANC had a conference in June, so I hope we will be able to make more because this conference is going to be big,” he said.
Busisiwe Mashobane of Soweto Hotel said the hotel only has one confirmed booking of an ANC member from Eastern Cape so far.
Mashobane explained that political parties were often unpredictable and were quick to change plans.
“It is not easy preparing for events of this nature because we won’t have the final numbers of people who will be staying here until about a week before the event.
“At times you find that a party can book the entire hotel, but then change a few days before [the event].”