#ThisIsUs: Local baker talks about rebuilding business

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.

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

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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.

“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 feared running out of supplies for the first time.

“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. It was a good moment to consider how I could expand my client base, especially when the stakes were high. The experience forced upon us teaches 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.

“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.