Manzini Bus Rank move bleeds businesses

The relocation of public transport operations from Manzini Bus Rank has left businesses around the former terminus fighting for survival as customer numbers and sales continue to dwindle.

What was once one of the busiest commercial pockets has fallen unusually quiet, with retailers, hawkers and service providers around the bus rank saying the relocation of buses and kombis triggered one of the worst trading periods they have experienced in years.

The Municipal Council of Manzini relocated public transport operations from the Main Bus Rank on June 27 to temporary facilities at the Old Trade Fair Bus Rank, Satellite Bus Rank and Riverstone Mall to pave the way for the construction of a modern transport terminal as part of the city’s broader re-development programme.

According to the municipality, the temporary arrangement is expected to remain in place for approximately six to eight months before commuters and operators return to a refurbished facility.

However, for businesses that depended on thousands of commuters passing through the old terminus every day, the transition has come at a heavy cost.

Bheki Maseko, speaking on behalf of PriceBusters Supermarket overlooking the terminus, said the relocation had dealt a devastating blow to the retailer’s revenue.

“Customer traffic is down, sales are down and profits are also down. It is so bad. We used to make a good amount of money by the end of the day, but now we barely manage to make anything,” he said.

Maseko said some days fewer than five customers purchase large grocery items, with most only buying snacks. The decline in revenue, he said, was beginning to affect the business’s ability to sustain its wage bill.

“It may take six months or even longer before construction is completed. By then we could all be sitting at home,” he said.

At another supermarket overlooking the bus rank on Meintjies Street, employee Bonsile summed up the situation in one word: “kubi (it’s bad).”

She said stock was moving slow, with some products approaching their sell-by dates before they could even be sold.

“Had we been informed earlier, we would have reduced our stock levels. We have lost many customers, especially the street vendors and commuters who used to pass here every day,” she said.

Management has since resorted to discounting products nearing their expiry dates in an effort to recover some of the investment tied up in stock.

The picture is equally bleak for informal traders. A mobile hawker, identified only as Matse, said his daily earnings had fallen dramatically since commuter traffic shifted.

“I used to make between E300 and E500 a day. Now I sometimes struggle to make even E100. Business is very lousy,” he said.

Nearby, shoe repair specialist Roderick Gumbi of Mr Gumbi Shoe Repairs said business had slowed to levels he had never anticipated.

“On Monday I made only E90. Before the relocation I would make around E200 or more in a day,” he said, although he remained hopeful that business would recover once the new bus rank opens.

The owner of Pheda Fashion Centre echoed similar concerns, saying customer numbers had dwindled despite rent and salaries remaining unchanged.

“We still have three employees and rent to pay, yet business is very quiet,” the owner said.

Street vendor Make Mkoko said every day has become a struggle. Selling items ranging from facecloths and toothbrushes to playing cards, Mkoko continues setting up every morning hoping to make at least E100.

“I cannot stay at home because this is how I feed my family,” Mkoko said.

Severe Impact

Employees at one bakery near the Manzini Bus Rank, who requested anonymity, said daily revenue had fallen by more than 70%.

“We used to make close to E20 000 in a single day. Now revenue has dropped by more than 70% and stock is moving very slowly. There is even a possibility that some staff members may have to be laid off temporarily,” one employee said.

The situation is similar at Everyday Supermarket, where staff member Ali said management was hoping business would improve once the redeveloped bus rank reopens, possibly towards the end of the year.

Taxi operators stationed along Meintjies Street also said they were battling to earn a living.

“If we do not get passengers from Shoprite, we go home with nothing, yet we also have families to feed. We cannot simply relocate to the temporary ranks,” one driver said.

The Municipal Council of Manzini has previously acknowledged concerns raised by businesses and vendors over reduced foot traffic, but has maintained that the temporary disruption was necessary to facilitate the construction of a modern transport hub.

It is expected to improve commuter movement, trading conditions and long-term economic activity in the city.

Be that as it may, many businesses around the former bus terminus say every passing day without commuters brings another difficult battle to keep their doors open.