The Bay Harbour Market is a main tourist attraction for tourists in Hout Bay. PHOTO: Bay Harbour Market.
This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Fiona Lunt’s name. Although the author clearly identified himself as a journalism honours student from Stellenbosch University, and indicated that he had been given assignments to write about the economic impact of Covid-19 on communities, there was no clear indication that the interview would be published. Also, no mention was made of the interview being recorded. We apologise for this confusion and oversight.
Situated at the edge of a scenic cul-de-sac, the Bay Harbour Market usually gathers momentum during summer. At its peak, warm Friday nights are accompanied by laughter, chitter-chatter, and music from live bands. Now, the market that once held such an atmosphere is eerie.
Normally any given Friday night would never be this quiet, but the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with the President’s lockdown have caused such a change.
“It’s had a phenomenal effect,” admits Fiona Lunt, the financial director of the Bay Harbour Market. “It’s affected every single individual.”
On 18 March, in accordance with government restrictions, the market decided to close its doors in Hout Bay until further notice. 5 days later the government implemented a 21-day lockdown which as South Africans know, has been extended, further complicating the situation for numerous small businesses.
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“Basically all our traders are now out of work,” said Lunt.
“[It] means the market as a whole has to suspend all the rentals, which means we still have to pay our rentals when we’re not receiving rentals.”
Lunt believes it will take 12 to 18 months before the market will begin to host the number of tourists and locals it once used to accommodate. However, through possibly a deeper concern, she admitted that the market faces the threat of going under, depending on how long the lockdown restrictions continue to ensue.
The Bay Harbour Market’s financial director Fiona Lunt briefly discusses the financial impact of Covid-19.
The domino effect
“It has unfortunately brought my whole business to a complete standstill,” said Matthew Bell, the owner of the market stall Matthew Bell Art.
Bell’s worries extend further than just the Bay Harbour Market. He has 12 different shops across the country, and one stall in Kenya, that have also been closed due to the effects of Covid-19.
“All these stores are closed and therefore I am making zero sales.”
Matthew Bell Art relies specifically on tourists for its success, and it is this business characteristic that keeps Bell questioning the future.
“It will take a long time before people start travelling again.”
Seats that are normally filled with people on a sunny weekend are now empty. PHOTO: Bay Harbour Market.
“My business relies almost fully on tourists. Around 80% of my sales are to tourists visiting South Africa and also local tourists. Now, with no tourists, obviously, there are no sales.”
Although Covid-19 is a current affair that has haunted the world for the past five months, its effect on Bell’s stall was not noticeable until the closure.
“It all happened very suddenly and the last weekend before the Hout Bay Market closed I actually had quite a good weekend there sales-wise. Then the next weekend the market closed, along with most of my other stores, and suddenly sales stopped completely,” remembered Bell.
Cash and camaraderie
The financial impact can also be felt in other areas of the market. Sarah Lederman, who is the owner of the stall Bamba Zonke, relies on the market’s revenue to a large extent.
“The market is a regular source of income, a good way to communicate with my clients, and because I sell directly to the public, the prices are cheaper than my other suppliers. The income is better for me as well,” said Lederman.
The Covid-19 virus is not immune to just business owners and the staff of such stalls are also affected.
“The lady who works for me on Saturday and Sunday is a student, so it is her only income too,” added Lederman.
“The Hout Bay market is a source of revenue for Hangberg and IY [Imizamo Yethu]. It is difficult for those people to have no income now.”
Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu are well-known areas of poverty in Hout Bay, whose residents are still determined by the legacy of apartheid. When the market was established, its mission was to create economic opportunity for, and to bring social unity in, this multiracial suburb.
“The market had built a very strong spirit between the people involved, whatever their social class or race,” said Lederman.
On an atmospheric Friday night, locals and tourists will usually crowd around the live music area. PHOTO: Bay Harbour Market.
Rob Quintos, Hout Bay Ward Councillor, reaffirmed this idea and realises its importance to the Hout Bay community.
“The Bay Harbour Market is a large part of Hout Bay’s social and economic makeup,” said Qunitos.
“The market sees locals and visitors enjoying a social atmosphere whilst supporting local musicians, crafters, food and other stalls of interest all the while creating regular employment for residents of Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu.”
In the meantime, the market will have to keep its doors closed until further notice. The sound of laughter and cheer will have to wait in the wings as the clamour of the waves crashing against the rocks in the background continues at centre stage.