I have read many stories from people complaining about the presence of malls and big businesses in townships. They further suggest that malls are killing small businesses.
To me this sounds like those people are saying black people can't own malls or big businesses.
Right now Soweto has the following malls: Maponya, Jabulani, Protea Gardens, Protea Glen, Diepkloof, Dobsonville and Bara Square, the complex at Bara taxi rank.
Even before the malls existed, Sowetans flocked to nearby Southgate Mall. If you say Sowetans should buy only from small businesses, then you're undermining their buying power.
The other aspect that people forget is that such malls employ far more people than those small businesses. There are many Sowetans who now walk to work instead of using transport.
Soweto is considered a city on its own and it rightly has to have amenities comparable to elsewhere.
Before the advent of malls, a former colleague of mine used to hire a minibus and pay for each seat just to go and buy his monthly groceries in the Johannesburg CBD. Those days are gone now. Township residents deserve reasonably priced goods.
We still have room for small businesses but owners must dream big.
There are successful black people who own businesses in affluent areas. Small business owners should strive for that as well.
It's worth noting that Richard Maponya himself started selling stuff using a bicycle. Jomo Sono started selling snacks and fruit on trains. Both have since reached for the stars. So, it's very doable.
