OFM News spoke to restaurant and bar owner Shaxe Khumalo, who explained how the regulations have affected owners and staff. Speaking on behalf of the Ivy lounge, Boho Bistro and The Other Venue, Khumalo says that between these three businesses, over 100 staff members are currently not receiving any sort of income during this lockdown. 

The Restaurant Association of South Africa put together this strike in solidarity with the #JobsSaveLives movement in an effort to save livelihoods. 

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‘’The regulations don’t make sense right now, people are currently getting into debt, including owners, and I think being the hospitality industry we are capable of keeping our businesses clean - as done before.

“We will thus be able to run services within the lockdown protocols that have been put in place if we are allowed to open, so we can start creating some income and get people to come back to work,’’ Khumalo concluded.

The national protest had initially aimed to block streets with tables and chairs to symbolise how empty their businesses are. The permission to do so was however denied by the police in Bloemfontein, leading to owners and staff protesting peacefully in front of their respective businesses.

The protesters represented a responsible front by wearing masks and keeping a safe social distance, while pleading with government to listen to their issues. Restaurants are allegedly performing at roughly 40% their usual rate because of the alcohol ban and the 21:00 curfew.

OFM News