When The Braai Stands Run Dry

By Mqondisi Dube
Correspondent | Monday September 22, 2008 00:00

On the other side of the scale, these braai stands have become a source of income for the business-minded individuals, who sell meat to customers during busy lunch hours.

A random survey at butcheries around Selebi-Phikwe reveals that close to 60 percent of such businesses have braai stands in front of their premises. Customers literally race there to buy meat and grill it over the braai stand, knowing that free papa (maize meal) is provided.

This has provided most workers, who cannot afford expensive lunches in restaurants with a cheaper alternative.

Additionally, during weekends, liquor outlets that operate near butcheries are usually teeming with patrons who, in between their drinks, grill meat over the braai stands.
During cold winter days, some beer drinkers keep themselves warm at the braai stands as they watch their juicy steaks turn golden brown.

But such scenes are about to be relegated to the dustbins of history. The local authority, pointing to a section in the Trade and Liquor Act, argue that butchery owners should not sell cooked meat.

The move by butchery owners has reportedly led to the decline in business for local restaurant owners as people flock to butcheries for braai.

The local authority swiftly enforced the law last Monday although this was met with derision from butchery owners who contested that the Act did not adequately address what was happening at their premises.

Butchery owners found to be violating the regulation were fined P200 and the majority of the businesses were caught napping.

The situation looked sad as areas, which are usually a hive of activity suddenly, became deserted.

The popular Planet and General shopping centres, which have become a meeting area for most workers at lunchtime, were isolated.

Braai stands suddenly lost their spark. They had turned to a heap of metal, which had lost relevance, and to some they were considered an eyesore.

The ambers that had become an everyday occurrence had died down, the juicy steaks had long dried and all that remained were the ashes.

Council authorities had ordered that the braai stands be removed from within business premises.

Although butchery owners were given a temporary reprieve, it is imminent that the stringent measure will be brought back.

The move by the council is seen as inhumane. Some butchery owners argue this is a move targeting local businesses only, adding that some wholesalers flout regulations with impunity but go unpunished.

'We are being victimised. The government does not want to see local entrepreneurs flourishing,' charges butchery owner Nzwaligwa Nzwaligwa.

'We are here because of the braai stands. If we are to remove them, then our businesses might close,' quips another local entrepreneur.

Moemedi Ntsatsi is a regular customer at a butchery that sells meat and provides free papa (maize meal).

He says he usually buys P5 meat and grills before getting free papa and his lunch would be complete.

However, with the imminent ban, he would have to look elsewhere for alternative lunch, or instead, revert to fat cakes (magwinya) and soup.

Like his friend, Mpho Goitsekgosi said last week's ban left them searching for cheaper alternatives at lunchtime. In most restaurants around town a plate of papa and beef stew costs, as much as P14, and for Goitsekgosi and other low-income earners, the price is beyond reach.

Goitsekgosi and Ntsatsi feel that restaurants should come up with innovative ways of attracting customers instead of moaning over lost business opportunities.

However, the local authority believes sympathy alone is not enough. Selebi-Phikwe deputy town clerk Terrence Ntalabgwe reportedly told butchery owners that laws must be followed.

But Nzwaligwa says no one should pursue a heartless Act in the name of enforcing the law.

'During my time as town mayor, there was a time when we were supposed to bar restaurants from selling traditional dishes. It was within the law but we saw that it was inhumane and was going to deny some people of their livelihood. The council has failed to think outside the law,' Nzwaligwa said.

However, it is not everyone who sides with butchery owners over the council's decision.
For a 36-year-old teacher at a local junior secondary school, who preferred anonymity, barbeque areas have become an environmental eyesore. To her, such places pose a health hazard.

'Have you seen how dirty the braai stand grids are? These people hardly brush off the dirt and it really poses a health risk,' she said.

The teacher said although the council was too harsh, it could have emphasised on cleanliness and only remove braai stands from premises, which do not comply.

There is another class that also does not support the braai stand.
'Families are starving as old men are seen at these areas grilling meat while at home there is nothing to eat. It is disgusting,' argues an elderly, Botshelo Setshego.

She said it is unfortunate that some people can afford to braai meat at such areas while their families are starving at home.

Setshego believes that families can have a braai at home and there is no need for fathers to be out there at butcheries grilling meat. 'If it is lunch that they want, they can buy meat and have it cooked at home then take it to work the following day,' Setshego said.