Restaurateurs across South Africa are lining the sidewalks outside their businesses with tables in protest of strict lockdown measures implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
More than a thousand restaurants chose to take part in the protest, which emanated out of the city of Johannesburg, where the coronavirus has infected large numbers of residents. Llewy Mateza, owner of The Local Grill in Johannesburg, said he wants the government to reinstate the sale of alcohol following South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to halt alcohol sales temporarily in early July.
“I’d like the government to reinstate the sale of alcohol, which would then make my business sustainable to a certain extent. Alcohol in my restaurant accounts for 40% of my sales,” Mateza said.
The protests, colloquially referred to as the “empty seats protest,” have gained support throughout the country as health officials battle to turn back an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. In neighboring Zimbabwe, more than 100,000 people have reportedly been arrested for flouting government-mandated safety practices since March.
Mateza said that close to 70% of his staff had not received promised payment from the South African government and the Department of Employment and Labour chalked up the slow rollout to a convoluted vetting process.
Devin Moyo, a waiter at the restaurant Rockets in Johannesburg, said he worries every night about whether he will be able to feed his children and pay the bills on his dwelling.
“Just to pay the bills has become a problem,” Moyo said. “The government hasn’t done enough in helping us with the [Unemployment Insurance Fund], so most of the families are going to bed hungry.”
