[imagesource: Ian & Lise Manley/ Twitter]
Despite the concession from government that restaurants could open their doors, there was little thought given to what would be needed for these businesses to sustain themselves.
As it stands, the industry is struggling to stay above water.
In response to this, The Restaurant Collective (R|C), which represents 12 members, who between them operate more than 500 sit-down restaurants across the country, penned an open letter to the president calling for action.
Amongst other things, they’ve requested that the sale of alcohol be allowed with meals, along with an amendment to the curfew time from 9PM to 10PM.
In addition to the letter, across the country, restaurant workers, owners and affiliates have taken to the streets today to protest the government’s lack of action to help them sustain the industry.
Jobs are being lost, and businesses are desperately struggling to make up the revenue that they were unable to generate during the first four months of the national lockdown.
The protests have been organised under the hashtag #JobsSaveLives, which is trending on Twitter.
In Wellington, they are emphasising the effect of the alcohol sales ban on the wine industry:
200m long empty table with a 1000seats in Wellington, #CapeTown to raise awareness of the job lost within the tourism industry due to the lockdown @TimesLIVE @CapeTownTourism @Tourism_gov_za #JobsSaveLives pic.twitter.com/XxKAlNNag0
— Esa Alexander (@ezaap) July 22, 2020
Protesters shut down Huguenot Street in Franschhoek:
Huguenot Street in Franshhoek close down by peaceful march for restaurants and jobs #JobsSaveLives pic.twitter.com/Xq2rzkGZeG
— Matthew Blewett (@blewett) July 22, 2020
In the Cape Town CBD, on Kloof Street, restaurant workers and owners are moving seats and tables into the road:
Tables and chairs moved into the street on Kloof street, Cape Town. #JobsSaveLives #1millionseatsInTheStreets @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/d8L5Hj7aNo
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) July 22, 2020
Protesters on Bree Street:
Protesters chanting “jobs save lives” in Bree street. Street has also been cordoned off by traffic officers now. @GroundUp_News #restaurantprotest #JobsSaveLives pic.twitter.com/VFt6jKI2xT
— Ashraf Hendricks (@AshrafRSA) July 22, 2020
Constantia in the Southern Suburbs:
Great support for our restaurants and winemakers here in @constantia1685 @beauconstantia @LaParada_ZA #JobsSaveLives pic.twitter.com/HcTsvBLJaK
— Eat Out (@Eat_Out) July 22, 2020
Chefs, waitrons, winery workers, hoteliers, and tourism operators have lined the streets of Stellenbosch:
Countless chefs, waiters, winery workers, hoteliers & tourism operators line the #Stellenbosch streets supporting #JobsSaveLives protesting irrational government laws banning the tourism and wine industry.
Are you listening @CyrilRamaphosa ?? pic.twitter.com/OMiI2j3Yyv— FarmerMike™ 👨🌾 (@mikeratcliffe) July 22, 2020
The protest in Parkhurst, Jozi:
Staff members and people in support of the #ResturantProtest are holding signs outside Rockets in Parkhurst. Minister of Tourism is expected to accept a memorandum from RASA, Tavener’s Association and the Independent Liquors Association #JobsSaveLives @GroundUp_News pic.twitter.com/GW70WEj4ju
— Zoë Postman (@ZoePostman) July 22, 2020
It looks like things have remained peaceful so far, with the police not taking any action, although Esa Alexander did share this video just after 2PM, when the protests were due to have stopped.
Watch until the end:
Restaurants in #CapeTown CBD protesting against the lost of jobs and income due to the #lockdown and #curfew @TimesLIVE @CapeTownTourism @Tourism_gov_za #Jobssaveslives #JobSeekersSA pic.twitter.com/BlciTAnaNY
— Esa Alexander (@ezaap) July 22, 2020
The idea is to fill the streets with a million empty chairs to represent the empty restaurants and jobs in jeopardy if things don’t change.
The Minister of Tourism is expected to accept a memorandum from the Restaurant Association of South Africa later today.
