Micro businesses sinking despite end of lockdowns

Lehlohonolo Lebiletsa

Maseru – While some sectors in different world economies are slowly recovering from the impact of Covid-19, most micro and small businesses in Maseru continue reeling under the financial crisis.

Public Eye Online interviewed a few business people to hear how they were coping with the effects of the virus. In an interview, Tanki Mokete who makes a living by selling stuffed bread (Kota), said he continues to struggle in his business to date.

Mokete said when he started his business in 2019 things were going well but since Covid-19 broke out, he has been swimming in financial crisis.

“I started my business in 2019 and things were good. After multiple lockdowns, however, things have never been the same. Even people who I consider to be loyal customers have not been buying recently,” he explained.

On the other hand, a local businessman who chose to stay anonymous said he thinks he is going to close his business because he has not been making any money. 

“Though the government has eased Covid-19 restrictions, I am still drowning in 2020 debts. I am thinking of selling my shack and think of a different business,” he said. 

The 38-year-old owns a barber shop at Koporasi where he said business has been very bad lately though Koporasi is usually a densely populated place.