Umdloti Spar fire deeply impacts community

“There are not a lot of Spar stores where you get to know everybody in the community. Other Spar owners get to know a few okes but here you get to know everyone. I have become a counselor in this town; I know everyone’s kids and their stories and they know my issues,” said Umdloti Spar co-owner, Richard Gunning, distraught as he walks the Courier through the ash and debris of his life’s earnings and what has become the little coastal village’s social hub.

As the ash settles and reality sets in, people from all spheres of Umdloti begin to take stock of the ripple effect of losing the dormitory and holiday village’s only supermarket on not only Spar employees and management but also residents, local businesses, low-wage workers and holiday makers.

“Richard is such a connector in this community; he knows so many people and makes you feel welcome. Spar for me was like a modern day well where people used to go to get their water, see their friends and hang out.

“In a society where we live increasingly isolated lives, those little hotspots of community and connecting are becoming more and more important for communities and more and more rare. I think that is going to have a huge impact,” said Christy Herselman.

Umdloti UIP manager, Terry Rens said she could easily stock up on loaves of bread and litres of milk and stick it in the freezer but her husband Neil loves to go to Spar daily and have a chat with Richard.

“Those are the things we are going to miss,” said Rens who grew up in Umdloti and recalls there being a shop in the village for as long as she could remember.

Dozens of low-wage workers who relied on the local Spar for affordable hot meals are feeling the effect on their pockets.

“We are suffering. Now there is only Steers but it is too much,” said Thorburn Security guard, Lwandile Sikiti.

On the other end of the scale, residents have to be a lot more organised.

“Being a working mom, I now have to think about what I need before going home from work. The Deli had really nice food and was so convenient if I needed to get a fish cake in the morning for Emma for school or briyani for dinner.

“Between the butcher and petrol station you can get most of the basics but you cannot get everything you can get at the Spar,” said Esther Bishop.

Local restaurants can no longer quickly hop on over to the Spar if they run out of carrots or tomato sauce.

“My vegetable prep was on par but now I have to prepare extra in case I run out and this costs us more money,” said La Casa Nostra restaurant manager, Roland Woodroffe.

According to local architect Gareth Nezar, the timing of the fire means the Spar will miss the festive season during which they reportedly double their normal monthly income.

He said best case scenario, the Spar will open its doors again in March 2020, six months after insurance gives the go-ahead.

“It will take four weeks to clear up the rubble and strip the windows; then possibly 12 weeks to get the exterior ready. The interior fit out of that store will take eight to 12 weeks to complete once they receive a white box. ‘White box’ is a term used for a shell for an interior fit out; there is no floor finish, just primer on the walls and ceilings in place.

“To rebuild the exterior of that building depends on the engineers’ assessment of the structure left. If the walls are okay then it should not take too long.”

In the meantime, Gunning has committed to keep paying the two car guards their weekly salaries and is confident staff salaries will be covered by wage protection.

Interim plans are in place to trade from a built-in container and get Tops that suffered only minor damage, up and running once the liquor board gives the green light.

Personally, Gunning and his family are going through an extremely difficult time.

“We are hurting. I left my eldest son (15) at college last weekend because if he sees this he would be devastated. The kids always came to the Spar when I had them and have often helped out here. Fortunately the two little ones are too young to fully comprehend.”

The fire

The fire started in the receiving area last Monday.

A narrow corridor with no windows and affected by a powerful extractor fan in the new kitchen in the back. Gunning had just taken advantage of a special on firelighters, stocking up for the December rush.

With the local troop of monkeys looting scattered remains of fruit, vegetables and sweets, Gunning recalls the sequence of events.

“When I heard about the fire, I ran around there. The one guy was ready with the fire hydrant and I ran to get the bakery to get another.

“I came here and put my head around the corner into the receiving and I inhaled that smoke and my eyes watered. I just looked at it, squinting for about ten seconds and then I knew; we are not going to do this; the fire is just too big.

“I get goose bumps thinking about it; if someone had gone to the toilet they would have died because they would not have been able to get back out.

“This is something no-one ever wants to live through. You put your life’s earnings into something and then you look at this total destruction.

“I reckon it is on par with losing someone close to you. I keep thinking, what if insurance does not pay out; I have three kids,” he said while trying not to show how gutted he feels.

Gunning said the support from the community on Facebook and WhatsApp had been overwhelming.

“I replied to each WhatsApp message personally and want to say thank you for everything. It was a terrible accident but we will be back,” he said with a brave face.

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