Durban - Small businesses are geared to cash in when at least 50 000 people are expected to fill up the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday to witness the momentous occasion of the kingship certificate handover to King Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini.
The eThekwini municipality has made provision for 60 informal traders, and were working on permits for others so they could also benefit from the big day. Businesses operating at the stadium were also optimistic and hoped that with the increased foot traffic, their shops and stalls would be noticed, and in turn boost their sales and attract future support.
Desiree Ngema, owner of Desbaked Café at the stadium, said the event was highly anticipated following the negative impact on the business during the Covid-19 pandemic, the July unrest and the April floods.
“The coronation will bring in great positivity because more people will be here, and we will get more exposure. With more people becoming aware that we are based here, we are certain that we will benefit in a positive way,” said Ngema.
“Our core business had been affected. I would say 70% of our turnover comes from celebrations and events and it is based on socialising. When people could not socialise, we felt the impact. We had to rethink the whole business model. We’re trying to claw back and rebuild, and hopefully this event will help us in some way,” she said.
Sunny Singh, a trustee of the South Africa in the Making Museum based at the stadium, said they hoped the coronation would bring exposure to what the museum had to offer. “The flow of human traffic will hopefully bring people in. We were closed for months and could not allow visitors because of the pandemic.
This will be a major event which brings in excitement and interest and hopefully we gain from that as well,” said Singh. Over 400 hawkers had applied to the municipality to trade at the stadium, but only a limited number of special events permits could be issued to the four precincts around the stadium.
Thulani Nzama, eThekwini’s head of the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, said they had to engage traders who did not receive permits as these were regulars at big events including festivals and soccer matches.
He said they were working to ensure that a few of them would still benefit yesterday. “We have included exhibitions and flea markets for traders of traditional gear but this still needs to be approved,” he said earlier.
“Traders who will be part of the exhibition are a different group from those already with permits as we are trying to increase numbers,” he said. Nkazimulo Ngidi, owner of Amabheshu Innovators, the local manufacturers of African traditional attire and whose company has dressed members of the royal family and amaZulu regiments, was one of those who did not receive a permit.
Ngidi said that in the past few weeks they had seen an increase in orders, mainly from customers in Gauteng.
What was currently on demand were men’s front aprons (izinene) and rear aprons (amabheshu) worn to cover the buttocks. He estimated that he would make a profit of between R10 000 and R20 000 from items sold and approximately R1 500 from those hired.
“I have prominent people who have placed orders. Some of them are from Parliament. “I am still hoping to get a permit but even if I don’t, I will be part of the event. If customers need our services on the day, it will be easy to reach us at our stall at the Warwick market,” Ngidi said.
Vendors who sell traditional clothing at the Durban beachfront, a short distance from the stadium, were also expecting to increase sales. Nonhlanhla Zwane said she was excited as business was sure to come in. “Business has not been the same for the past two years because of all that we have gone through, but now we are starting to rebuild,” said Zwane.
Fortunate Zondo, also a vendor, shared Zwane’s optimism. “I am looking forward to the event happening so people can come to buy things from me. “We will be here throughout the week and will be open for business as usual on the day of the coronation,” she said.
Sunny Singh, a trustee of the South Africa in the Making Museum based at the stadium, said they hoped that the coronation event would bring exposure to what the museum has to offer.
Vendors who sell traditional clothing at the Durban beachfront, a short distance away from the stadium, were also expecting to increase their sales.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE