Strong response

NEARLY 62% of Cape businesses are in favour of closing down tomorrow in protest against the sacking of former finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, according to a survey conducted by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“The comments of our members make it clear that the number would have been even higher but for the many public holidays in April,” said Janine Myburgh, president of the chamber.

“We have the Easter weekend and people tend to add a few days of their annual leave to these holidays.

So that makes April a very difficult month for business.

“Productivity suffers and I can understand that many firms simply cannot afford another paid holiday.”

In response to the question: “Do you believe we have a leadership crisis in the country?”, 99.21% of respondents said ‘Yes’.

When asked: “Do you support the call for Jacob Zuma to resign?” 99.21% of respondents said ‘Yes’.

Some of the respondences contained apologies for not supporting the stay-away, pointing out that they had obligations to their customers.

Others relished the opportunity to take a stand, with one businessman saying he was giving his staff a day’s paid leave and he would buy them all KFC and Coca-Cola.

And they would all be marching together. Dean le Grange Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry