The daily threat of burglary and theft has created additional stress and uncertainty for Vino Home textiles, a small business operating in the Kuruman city centre, in the Northern Cape. In response to the enterprise’s plight, the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour as well as the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure called for urgent action to remedy the situation.
The committees made this call during their visit to John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, where they proposed a two-pronged strategy to address the issues. Firstly, an engagement with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to increase the visibility of the police and, secondly, for the municipality and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to make available safe premises out of which Vino Home Textiles and other similar small and medium enterprises can operate.
“The Small Enterprise Development Agency and the municipality must immediately engage with the SAPS to request increased visibility in the area. Such an intervention will increase the sense of safety and security for both businesses and customers,” said Mr Mandla Rayi, the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Trade, Industry, Tourism and Economic Development. The committee highlighted that economic development in the area depends on creating the conditions for small businesses to thrive.
For Ms Vinolia Tokotsane, a co-owner of the business, one burden will be lifted from her weary shoulders if these recommendations are implemented. The business is also short of space, but if it was able to expand all the staff could be accommodated under one roof, which would improve productivity. “We are currently unable to expand the business because of the challenge of space and the fear of break-ins.”
The company so far has four members of staff, including the two co-owners, and they are planning to increase their advertising and open an online shop to increase sales. But this envisioned growth is hampered by lack of adequate space for production and sales. Nonetheless and despite the daily threats of violence and the devastating impact of Covid-19 on small businesses, Vino Home Textiles has shown great resilience to still be operational. One thing that kept the company afloat during the Covid period was contracts to manufacture personal protective equipment.
The committees also called for investment in infrastructure, especially in roads, to encourage investment in the area and deal with the chronic unemployment in the area.
Malatswa Molepo
17 August 2022
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