Freedom at What Price?

SALTA COLUMN FREEDOM AT WHAT PRICE? Black entrepreneurs feel let down by the licensing saga

On 27 April, South Africa celebrated Freedom Day, in commemoration of the day in 1994 when, for the first time, we could all cast our votes to choose who would lead our country. It was 23 years ago, but I still remember the day vividly. I remember when Mandela’s release from prison was announced. I was working for a certain hotel and had just knocked off for the afternoon. I joined the crowds on the streets of Johannesburg, celebrating the release of our leader, jailed for 27 years for fighting for your freedom, especially us blacks, the people most disadvantaged by apartheid. We marched in homage to our heroes until late. It was the death of apartheid and the beginning of a better life for us all as a country. This year, I asked myself if this day really should be remembered, especially by shebeen owners like ourselves. On that day, we as black entrepreneurs thought we would attain our economic freedom, unsuspecting that this freedom would be reserved for the politically connected few. When SALTA, in collaboration with the Gauteng government, devised the shebeen permit, I was unbelievably relieved and excited to think that our government was really catering for us. This was the first step in assisting us to acquire shebeen licences. Certain of our country’s laws make it virtually impossible to apply for a liquor licence in previously black townships, although the process is quite simple for residents of formerly white suburbs. For these reasons, we have been operating with permits since 2003. Our future has remained uncertain, since it has never been clear how long we would have to operate with permits – hence our relief when the Gauteng government embarked on the process of converting permits to licences. Owing to the red tape involved, the government decided to take a “short cut”. We were convinced that our government was indeed standing by us all the way, but the outcome was unfortunate.

The government has been taken to court for not following the correct procedures. The case was heard on 27 February 2017, and we are awaiting the judgment. We have never known the government to win a single case when taken to court. Our president has lost so many court battles, as well as the various government departments; the most recent examples are the cases concerning the Department of Transport and the nuclear deal. Will our government emerge victorious this time? This is why I doubt whether we should celebrate Freedom Day if our future as black entrepreneurs is hanging in the balance. Time permitting, I would have loved to touch on the concept of the shebeen and the history associated with the name. I am afraid that our heritage will soon be wiped out by the very government we voted for. We are patiently awaiting the outcome of this case.

Mish Hlophe, President, SALTA