Adapt or die for small businesses in load-shedding

It seems things have gone from bad to worse for businesses in Benoni thanks to load-shedding.

While some are scrambling to keep their businesses afloat, others have resorted to closing their doors.

The Benoni City Times found at their recent visit to Russel Street, in Western Extension that some small businesses no longer exist any more.

One of the few businesses still operational is The Victorian Secret, which has been in business for 10 years.

The owner, Karen Ried, said load-shedding had a devastating impact on her business, considering that they are still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our production has been affected. We cannot bake what we used to because our ovens are off during load-shedding.

“We had to adapt our menu because we can’t produce the regular dishes in power cuts.”

Ried said they only have one generator, which runs the coffee machine. They also use gas to prepare dishes for the special load-shedding menu.

The business owner said they are looking into alternative ways to at least have one of their ovens, lights and another coffee machine operate during load-shedding.

Another owner who has kept her business open for the past 24 years, Ivonne Taylor of Lemongrass, relies on a gas stove to prepare meals for customers when there is load-shedding.

“We put candles on the tables when there’s load-shedding. When the power comes back our customers prefer to keep the lights off to create a romantic and cosy atmosphere. However, they leave early to avoid leaving in pitch darkness,” she said.

Last year, the City Times spoke to the owner of the newly opened 3 Amigos Butchery in Northmead, Ettiene Kleinhans.

He said the financial impact on a business that had only been operational for seven weeks at that stage was immense, but remained confident that through proactive management his business will weather the load-shedding storm.

Annatjie Smidt, from G&E Panelbeaters, said the power cuts have affected her company’s turnaround time and she had to deal with frustrated customers.

“My business works on a compressor. It needs electricity to work. All my tools work with air. We can’t paint or put primer on.

“Where we could have done a car in two days, we now have a customer’s car for a week.

“Because it is affecting our turnaround time, we can’t take in as many cars as we would want to,” she said.

Elias Makamu, of Mr Diamond Hair Salon in Ewatwa, said he loses about R700 a day when there is load-shedding on weekends.

“Weekends are the busiest time for me, so with no electricity, I’m forced to turn away customers.

“I am the only breadwinner at home. If I didn’t make money that day there won’t be food on the table.

• The City Times welcomes stories from small businesses battling the effects of load-shedding. Perhaps you have some tips for other small business owners?
Share your stories and experiences of load-shedding with us by emailing the newsroom at benonicitytimes@caxton.co.za.

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