Help feed more than 500 hungry Ballito restaurant staff not earning a salary

Ballito’s restaurant association (BRA) is appealing to the community to help feed more than 500 employees who are unable to earn a salary.

Following a return to lockdown level 4 little under 2 weeks ago, restaurants are again face trading restrictions.

As they are only allowed to sell takeaways, a number of restaurants opted to temporarily close their doors.

Although the Restaurant Association of South Africa continues to fight for the industry, there are no government relief measures.

Running costs for many restaurants, even while closed, are well over R150 000 a month.

This includes electricity, rent, rates, salaries and basics such as pay point device fees.

Some have opted to pay a portion of staff salaries. Not all have been so fortunate, however.

Owner of 2 On Main, Lee Campbell decided to close shop temporarily.

Campbell currently runs 2 restaurants, with the second based at Umhlanga.

Altogether he employs 60 staff who all have mouths to feed.

“The restaurant industry is battling for relief. I am worried that this lockdown will be extended,” said Campbell.

For Campbell, keeping his Ballito restaurant closed costs on average R220 000 per month, with the Umhlanga-based restaurant averaging R180 000 to R200 000 per month. His only viable option was to remain closed.

Since lockdown 4 started, Campbell has given away all his perishable stock and unplugged his fridges to save costs.

Fiamma Grill owner and BRA member Fabian Durocher-Yvon said they hoped the community would support the initiative.

“We have 32 restaurants in our guild, 10 of which have closed temporarily,” he said, adding that he would gladly offer advice to any restaurants facing permanent closure. The restaurants together have 527 staff currently not working.

All proceeds through the food parcel drive are contributed to staff in need, and cost R350 per parcel.

These are also equally distributed among all restaurants.

A number of local franchises have also come on-board to aid the association.

Drop-off points are at Fiamma Grill as well as a trolley collection point at the Ballito Village Spar.

Donations can also be made via EFT at the following Nedbank account:
Account name: Ballito Restaurant Association
Account number: 1098340426
Branch code: 196765
Reference: Parcel and your surname
For more information, contact Fabian Durocher-Yvon from Fiamma Grill at 032 946 1029.