Mother and son thriving car business under threat
IT IS not often that a mother and son go into business together.
And for the past year, SHS Service Centre, a car service and repairs business that Zarina and Shuaib Assan co-own in Jacobs, has been building a good clientele.
But the mother-son duo, who used their life savings to open the centre, are concerned about how they will meet their expenses at the end of the month.
They purchased the business last year.
“There was a lack of job opportunities and my son, who was unemployed, was unable to find another job.
“We heard the service centre owner intended retiring and wanted to sell. We saw an opportunity and we bought the business,” said Zarina, 62, of Lotus Park in Isipingo.
The mother-of-four said the business was slow at the start but through good customer care and word of mouth, the community started supporting them.
They have two employees – a mechanic and a handyman.
“Business was going good, but we are stressed now,” she said.
“There will be no income this month because of the lockdown. Even if we applied to remain open as an essential service and it was approved, none of the spare shops are open. It was a no-win situation.”
Zarina, who previously owned a car sales business, said they were unable to pay their employees’ salaries this month.
“They have been understanding but they also have families.”
She said they hoped they would be exempted from paying the monthly rental for the premises and awaited a decision on this.
Zarina said she and her husband were still able to pay their home utility bills but she worried for her son, who also lived in Isipingo.
“My husband collects a pension, which will help with some of our expenses, but what will happen to my son and his family? He has a wife and two young children. Our employees will face the same problem.”
She said with Ramadaan, the Islamic fasting month, approaching at the end of the month, she would use the time to pray.
“I will make a dua (prayer) that we come out of what we are facing, that families will be healed and that business owners get back on their feet.”
During the lockdown, she will continue her community and charity work.
This includes preparing and providing meals for less fortunate communities. “This is a stressful period for everyone, especially for those who cannot provide for their families. The other community members, sponsors and I will do our bit to help.”
Shuaib, 35, said to add to their worries someone broke into their business on Thursday. “They stole the parts from a car we were working on and car parts from the workshop.”