Load shedding has caused widespread upheaval and disruption for businesses across South Africa, with many forced to pivot, downsize, and find alternative power generation solutions to survive. For businesses in the township, many of which do not have the resources to do the same, the consequences of load shedding are dire, leaving many unable to earn a proper living and feed their families.
“Load shedding is affecting me very badly,” says Thulisile Mohlamme “Even if I did find a way to work around it, I’m waking up at around two to cook so when load shedding starts at around 6 or 6.30am, I know I’m already halfway done with my cooking.”
Food businesses like Muhlamme’s have suffered a severe blow because of load shedding, with many having to throw away refrigerated food and stock that goes bad when refrigerators are off for long periods of time.
Tsakane Shibambu says that demand for her livestock has dropped considerably since increased load shedding began, causing business sales for livestock to plummet. “People are worried of buying a full sheep, or goat, or cow, because the meat might rot,” says an aggrieved Shibambu.
Another business owner who sells ice by the bag is unable to sustain this business model during load shedding for the same reason, as all his ice has melted and can no longer be sold. A satellite TV installation business has also borne the brunt of load shedding; “I had a lot of complaints from clients saying I’m not finishing my jobs because electricity goes off while I’m still busy fixing their appliances,” he says.
Load shedding has also presented a safety risk to business owners and the public alike, making them vulnerable to crime. “During load shedding, the camera systems don’t work and there is less lighting, making it unsafe for us and others. Clients are scared to visit our businesses under these circumstances,” says Aveline Phillistus Twala.
Thabiso Sebata, co-founder of AlexBiz, an Alexandra-based organisation that supports over 350 local businesses in Alexandra Township with access to resources and opportunities, says Alex entrepreneurs are struggling to keep afloat. “There’s a lot of frustration. You can just imagine psychologically what this does to them, people are opting to get side jobs now because they can’t really keep up.”
Small businesses provide 30% of employment in South Africa and are directly responsible for generating a third of the value added in the country, according to the 2022 ‘State of Small Business in South Africa’ report. Without them, the economy will suffer greatly, making it crucial that more support is provided to startups and SMEs across the country.
With continued support from Alex-based NPO, Rays of Hope, AlexBiz has been assisting small businesses since 2019, connecting them to corporates and other businesses capable of assisting with various resources and opportunities for development.
Sebata says corporate South Africa and other generous donors can help by contributing towards AlexBiz’s vision of establishing a business hub in Alex that will house entrepreneurs and provide access to electricity during load shedding, connectivity services, boardrooms, and workspaces, among other benefits.
“Load shedding is simply the tip of the iceberg. Entrepreneurs are still battling the effects of Covid-19, not to mention crime and a general lack of access to vital resources like internet. Corporate South Africa has a valuable and meaningful role to play in these circumstances, and I encourage leaders to reach out and find out how they can be of service to these deserving young enterprises,” says Sebata
“Not only does this support benefit the community of Alex and its entrepreneurs, but it also ensures big businesses are making the right impact with their BBBEE spend, and particularly with their Enterprise and Supplier Development spend,” adds Muziwethu Zwane, Chief Executive Officer at Rays of Hope.
