The Daily Voice
BY Mandilakhe Tshwete
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Somali shopowners have fled the Cape Flats in droves fearing for their lives.
Now community members say they can't afford to travel to nearest big stores, which are cheaper.
In Sweet Home Farm, Philippi, only two brave Somali-owned shops are still trading.
Community leader Forest Ndathane says they welcome the shops selling cheaper goods.
"We had a meeting and then decided against xenophobia and now we are happy to have shops that sell cheaper goods," he said.
In Wallacedene, some spaza owners stock up in the early hours of the morning because they don't want to be seen gradually moving back to the township.
"All our goods were looted and now we have been trying to get back to our businesses, but we can?t do it openly," said a 27-year-old Somali shopkeeper.
In Du Noon, one resident complained about taking a taxi to buy basics like bread.
"If there are shops opened they don't have enough stock, and we can't take taxis," she said.
"We need Somalis in our areas, you hardly find a local spaza here." -
Source: Daily Voice