Beaches open but damage done – traders

Traders who missed the peak tourist season say that despite the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night that beaches were open once again, the damage has been done.

Thembisile Ngidi, who has plied her wares on Durban beachfront for 15 years, says the busiest days of the year are in December, and this season they weren’t able to sell a thing.

“I come here to sit the whole day doing nothing. Sometimes, I keep myself busy by making beads, but what is the point if no one is going to buy them?” said Ngidi.

She sells a variety of items ranges in price from R40 to R150, including animal sculptures and hats. Her turnover used to be between R400 and R1 500 a day.

“This is the first time in years that I go home empty-handed and it has been happening day after day,” Ngidi said.

She has five mouths to feed. She no longer has enough money for transport and she has to walk from Thokoza Women’s Hostel to the beachfront.

“The most frustrating part about all of this is that no one thinks of us. We are suffering. We also need some sort of relief from government,” said Ngidi.

Another trader, Andile kaLusipha, who for 10 years has been selling hats, caps and towels at north and south beaches, said he has not made a profit since March last year. It costs him R52 a day in transport and he goes home having sold nothing.

“Government must intervene. Without tourists visiting our beautiful city, we cannot make money,” said KaLusipha, who has a wife and three children to support.

“Things will never be the same,” said rickshaw driver Bonginkosi Sukazi. “People are scared of the virus.”