The Border-Kei Chamber of Business wishes to thank the authorities for respecting the voice of business and permitting representation at the highest level.
They also wish all readers a blessed time over the festive season and to be well and safe and to wear a mask at all times.
Surviving the COVID-19 pandemic has been, and will continue to be, a major challenge to the economy. Business survival has been dependent on a number of factors, not least of how the lockdown regulations have dictated to business to what is permitted and not permitted.
Shortly after March 26 – with almost all businesses being closed – the only sustaining contribution was the various support and grant assistance packages from the Command Council directives.
Following and complying with the regulations and sustaining our businesses has been, and will be for the next six months at least, a huge challenge for all.
We remember the scramble to register our enterprises, to complying with the criteria for TERS and Small Business Assistance, and others.
Perhaps the most important lesson/message is to examine your own compliance and good standing.
Many enterprises learned that support assistance was/is not automatic, and unless you meet statutory regulations, you did not even pass GO!
Other challenging aspects were complying with the local and district command centres, which initially functioned well, with the BKCOB having a seat wherein we represented the members and business sector.
Arguing who should be exempt and who not, became an exercise of interpretation and business can be glad for the person who championed every case. This more so as we moved from level five to level four and so on.
However, as time and COVID-19 took its toll, the JOCs met less and less, and ultimately failed to give clear direction on the lockdown regulations. This included sectors such as landscaping, auto repairs and sales, hairdressing and laundries.
Going forward
The BKCOB consistently argues in favour of the enforcement of the regulations and amendments, and argues on the ‘more and less’ principle.
The spread of the virus is not only because of business, it has also to do with a disobedient civil society that will not comply. This does not exclude businesses that fail to observe regulations.
The year 2021 will continue to record cases and fatalities. The chamber urges businesses to be responsible, and ensure they do not become spreaders. Respect the distancing, sanitising and the mandatory wearing of masks.
Only in this way can the economy grow and recover.
