When social welfare clashes with business

One such unhappy businessman is Reuben Keddy, the owner of Prestige Bakery in Molepolole who curses the day the Ipelegeng programme was conceptualised and rolled out. He says Ipelegeng workers have now taken over the business of legitimate and registered businesses that create employment, pay tax and have to conform to licence requirements. His woes started this year when he mysteriously failed to win a tender to supply bread for 30 or so primary schools in Molepolole.

His investigations led to a finding that his company had been replaced by Ipelegeng workers who cook diphaphatha for primary school pupils at a charge of P3.85 per unit. His loaf, on the other hand, costs just above P7.00, he said. He noted that the consumers might not realise that they were now paying more for less ration, as a loaf of bread is shared among five pupils and five diphaphatha make up a loaf.