#ThisIsUs: Local baker talks about rebuilding her business after devastating looting

Looting did not deter a businesswoman in Thembisa’s Motsu Section from rebuilding her small business and cultivating the township economy.

The impact of looting forced Nono Mogwera to close her shop due to a lack of merchandise and customer support.

Also read: This is us

Mogwera was one of the business people who raised funds from her own pocket rather than relying on government assistance to get back on her feet following the unrest in July.

The arrest of former President Jacob Zuma sparked theft, vandalism and arson in regions of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

This rampage, which included vandalism, burning of factories and trucks and looting, spiralled into a “failed insurgency”, as the government called it.

These efforts, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, were meant to harm the economy, cause social instability and seriously damage or perhaps overturn the democratic state during his address on national television to instil peace among citizens.

Mogwera’s business was forced to close to ensure the safety of employees and customers. The impact of the looting had a detrimental impact on her consumer and corporate confidence.

ALSO READ: SA looting: We are losing more than money, says economist

“It’s difficult to comprehend the heartbreaking situation in which entrepreneurs find themselves. Some of us have only recently begun our entrepreneurial journeys, while others have been doing so for decades. The devastation is the same, livelihoods have been taken, jobs have been lost and an increasing sense of uncertainty persists.”

Following the looting, the entrepreneur temporarily faced and feared running out of supplies, for the first time.

“We ran out of stock during the looting because we couldn’t find any. It has harmed the business because we wanted to operate. If a specific commodity was required in an emergency, one had to go outside of Thembisa to obtain it or wait for hours in long lines at local shops to obtain it.

“One of the most visible effects of stock shortages was our consumers who were unable to purchase the item at the time they desired.

“Some clients observed that we were out of stock and cancelled or failed to complete their orders.

“This crisis did not hold me back; instead, it provided me with an opportunity to strengthen my business operations and improve my company’s crisis management strategy. While everyone’s memories of the event were still fresh, it was a good moment to consider how I could expand my client base, especially when the stakes were high. Nothing beats real-world experience for identifying process flaws, unanticipated risks and weaknesses and missed stakeholders. The experience can teach you a lot about how to improve your future response attempts.

“Townships were never thought to have development potential in the first place. Over the last few years, there has been a movement among local businesses to support township economies through infrastructure supply.

“The public and private sectors are building and supporting an environment for growth, particularly in the township, to maximise the area’s economic potential. There has been evidence of established businesses thriving even more in these markets following the pillage.

“Many people recognised opportunities to establish their own enterprises. Those who operate solely in townships, as well as those who do business inside and outside of these areas, struggle to obtain funding from traditional sources.

“Because of the economic damage caused by Covid-19 and looting affecting small business, the government should keep momentum in assisting us with our adversaries.

“To those who want to start their business, just do it. If you make mistakes, that’s great. You’ll learn from them and continue to grow,” said Mogwera.

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