Lockdowns in South Africa Freed Township Entrepreneurs to Thrive
Sowetan business owners found that the economic devastation caused by the pandemic opened up opportunities.
Kopano Mofokeng, owner of Kasi Convenience, unloads a delivery in Soweto.
Photographer: Waldo SwiegersEighteen months ago, Kopano Mofokeng began supplying cooking oil to street food vendors in South Africa’s biggest township, Soweto, guaranteeing delivery within the hour and offering stock on credit before gradually expanding to products ranging from liver to chicken feet.
Then the coronavirus outbreak hit and the country was shut down by the end of March. As the national economy tanked, Mofokeng feared the worst — that is, until he realized that government orders to stay indoors and stop traveling were triggering a surge in demand for local food.
Today, his Kasi Convenience company is thriving: He’s switched to chicken, charcoal and polystyrene fast-food boxes — he uses his grandparents’ home for storage — and works seven days a week with a team of friends and neighbors that’s grown to eight.