George: It’s a gigantic struggle
VAN RENSBURGS AUCTIONS
Auctions came to a complete standstill during lockdown and it is foreseen that they will not be allowed for a long time to come. Louis van Rensburg, owner of Van Rensburgs Auctions, said they opened again on Monday, but are now doing online auctioning and their very first auction has started. “We bought the online system last year, but never really got it up and running, but there is now no other way. It is a major adjustment. The geniality that came with the social gathering of people is no longer there. It is an impersonal process and reminds me of online shopping.”
Also being owner of commercial properties, Van Rensburg has experienced an impact on rental income. “Tenants are really struggling and we have to negotiate to accommodate them. I believe the future is going to be a new dispensation. Nobody can say how life and the economy are going to change, but difficult times are ahead. We are not yet at the bottom of it. I’ll just have to adapt to what is coming my way.”
TIGER WHEEL AND TYRE
Sandra van Rensburg, co-owner of Tiger Wheel and Tyre, said the impact on them is far-reaching. “We were allowed to service only those who provide essential services. Our turnover has taken a massive plunge. It will take our staff and us very long to overcome the effect of this. Not all staff are back at work. We applied for the Ters UIF benefits for them, which has been a hugely frustrating process. The fact that our May applications could be submitted only very late due to system issues on their side, is also demoralising.”
KLOPPERS
A Kloppers director, Willem Klopper (Jnr), said they were severely impacted in the five weeks of Level
5 lockdown.
“We opened up under Level 4 and there has been a bit of interest among customers, but spending is conservative.
People buy mostly functional and essential stuff that break down like fridges and microwave ovens or sharper knives and a better vacuum cleaner or broom. These categories did well and I think it is because many people have started doing their own housework.”
Kloppers did not cut salaries. Staff have been divided into two teams with one team working from Monday to Wednesday and the other from Thursday to Saturday. “In that way, should someone become infected with the virus, the other team can continue on a fulltime basis.” About the future, Klopper said, “Nobody can hide from the consequences. We’ll only be seeing the real impact on people’s income in coming months and how we will be affected in the long term.”
COLOUR LAB HAIR STUDIO
Stefan Ellis, owner of Colour Lab Hair Studio, has put aside his pride and on Facebook has asked his clients for donations. “I have five employees with dependents. In all, about 20 people are affected by our closure. It took massive effort and investment to get my business going and I don’t know if I’ll be able to operate again if we are forced to remain closed for much longer. As far as hygiene protocols are involved, infection and disease control forms an important part of a hair stylist’s basic training, so we are in fact geared for the Covid situation more than most other businesses that are allowed to operate.”
E COETZEE PHARMACY
Danie Coetzee, manager of E Coetzee Pharmacy, said although essential items have been selling well, their turnover was greatly impacted because of the no-trading rules pertaining to non-essential stock. “The limited hours have also affected our trade.
However, customers stocked up on flu medications, masks, vitamins and gloves, and we can’t keep up with flu vaccinations. There is a waiting list and as soon as we get supply, it goes out. We also don’t receive all the supply we order as there is a shortage.”
THE BENCH RESTAURANT
The Bench owner Wayne Litchfield opened up in Level 4, although they are not fully operational. He has chosen not to do deliveries of hot meals and is only supplying coffee, milkshakes and cold prepared items like sandwiches. “Because of the logistics of delivering hot meals, it does not make it worth it. Out of our 30 staff members, only the barista, manageress and I are working, so the impact of the regulations is far-reaching. Our regular customers and people from the businesses around us have been returning.”
RUDA’S GROOMING
Things are looking up at a
local doggy parlour, Ruda’s Grooming, that was issued a permit to begin trading during Level 4. Owner Ruda van Loggerenberg says because of the weeks under lockdown, a backlog has built up and her clients were anxious to bring in their pets.
“We have a long waiting list and the phone keeps on ringing. There are clients whose money is tight, but in George pets are like children to their owners, who would not easily drop this expenditure from their budget.
Our prices are also reasonable,” said Van Loggerenberg.
SHOPRITE
Shoprite’s media desk said the lockdown has caused some items to be out of stock due to import restrictions or delays, and they have to plan to ensure that additional stock is secured.
There has been increased consumer demand and their order volumes have increased. The demand for baking goods gained popularity during lockdown.
Demand for cleaning products and disinfectants, hand sanitiser, wipes and liquid soap as well as some tinned foods, medicines and vitamins remains high and the sale of these has to be rationed.
In recent weeks the sale of personal care products has soared and there has been a sharp increase in the demand for hair colour and ethnic hair care products.
According to the Garden Route District Municipality’s Command Council, R7-million of business relief funding has been approved for the Garden Route District through Business Partners (Johan Rupert funding) and in that way 267 jobs were saved.
Approvals for debt relief funds through the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) in the Garden Route and Central Karoo amount to R4,37-million with 16 SMMEs benefiting to date.