Democracy killed our business: A Soweto institution is barely staying afloat

The business, based in Orlando East, Soweto, used to be a hive of activity and a beacon of economic pride to the community. At its height, the general dealer housed a butchery, a fish-and-chips outlet and a shop, but only the shop remains. So good was the business at one point that the Dlaminis’ two kids were private-schooled.

She said with the advent of democracy came a relaxation of bylaws and a boom in the informal spaza shop economy. “Let’s be honest, who can blame them? I sell an item for R80 and they sell for almost R20 less,” she pointed out. “There are still some customers who don’t see the need to travel for a single item, so they buy from us. “Unfortunately, in some cases we cannot afford to stock up on items such as 5kg of flour because the sales are so low that we lose out,” she said.

City_Press Competitive pricing by finding better products and negotiate very hard. It said that black people are not willing to work together and have power of volumes. Pakistani do it and blacks complain that the undercut them. Also fair pricing and not be greedy.

City_Press Gees.... That's not democracy's fault..... How the hell can 'democracy' be to blamed for this It's nothing but the wheels of economic progress. Supply and demand... It's not our system of governments fault for your inability to adjust to the times. It's not the 1980's anymore

City_Press It's a great pity & shame. Unfortunately our government is busy globetrotting looking for foreign investment that NEVER comes, completely forgetting our SMMEs. SMME ministry's budget paints a sickening picture. What kind of government doesn't assist SMMEs.

City_Press So you want apartheid back?

City_Press Foreign shops destroyed our industry. Open borders like the Eff ANC policy is the reason that many South Africans sit without an income today. But the people voted for them so enjoy cheap identity politics and unemployment that comes with it. I am sorry for the Dlamini’s.

City_Press Same with BEE implementation.

City_Press It ain't democracy , it's awful govt policy led by commies . Sad situation.

City_Press Reads like the hotel industry vs AirBnB.

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