Township economies – hold on to your entrepreneurs

The good news story on the Times Live website of Lucky Lekgwathi and the reopening of his restaurant Grootman, in the Southdale Mall, is testimony to the man’s resilience both on and off the soccer pitch.

If we are to rebuild our communities and leave behind the devastation wrought by the events of July 2021, Lucky and his story shine a light on the way forward.

However, as inspiring as Lucky’s story is, it also comes at a cost. Kliptown is no longer home to Lucky and his Grootman restaurant. While Lucky and his partners may have valid reasons for not choosing to reinvest in Kliptown, the fact remains, Kliptown has lost a prominent member of its business community. 

One may well ask what is the significance of one less entrepreneur in kasi?

An alternative reality

If we are to imagine township life free from the historical forces that continue to shape its evolution, Lucky represents an alternative reality, a local hero made good. His story inspires us, young and old alike; you don’t have to leave kasi to live your dream.

Yet here we are. Lucky is gone, and the community of Southdale has gained a son.

In my previous post I talked about the need for the business family to engage the community in which it operates, to develop a relationship with the community from which the family business derives it’s “licence to operate”. Similarly, the community of Kliptown and Lucky had a relationship. I have no doubt the looting of Lucky’s restaurant tested that relationship. But if media reports are to be believed, Lucky has forgiven those involved in the looting.

Communities have a choice

Here is the crux of the matter. After the events of July 2021, the community of Kliptown had a choice. Do nothing, or fight to convince Lucky and his partners that Kliptown was still deserving of their trust and investment in the community. Demonstrate reciprocity in the relationship. If a report in the Sowetan is anything to go by, the community of Kliptown didn’t fight hard enough. The decision to move the restaurant from Kliptown to Southdale was taken after Lucky and his partners realised there was more support from the community in Southdale.

A constant theme in my writing is that of agency. Far too many of us look to others to solve our problems. This attitude finds expression at a community level. We in kasi had better find our power within a communal sense of agency to create an environment that embraces and supports the Luckys in our community. 

If we don’t develop a communal sense of agency we’ll be travelling to eat our kotas in the suburbs.