FEDHASA, the voice of hospitality in South Africa, strongly condemns the violence and intimidation caused by this week’s taxi strike in and around Cape Town.
While the organisation supports the right to peaceful protest, it is deeply concerned about the significant disturbance the strike has caused for guests and staff, creating logistical challenges for employees working long hours and late shifts.
“As an industry, hospitality is not unfamiliar with adversity. We grapple with various challenges that hamper our operations daily, including load shedding and water supply issues. Yet the doors remain open,” says Lee-Anne Singer, FEDHASA Cape Chair.
More concerning, she says, is the impact on the reputation of the destination. This as tourism is a key employer of Cape Town residents and a driver in the city’s economy.
“Not only does the violence that has emerged from this taxi strike hamper our staff’s ability to get to their place of work, it also damages the reputation of the destination. Tourism, underpinned by the hospitality sector, is a vital contributor to job creation and economic growth in South Africa and it is imperative that we acknowledge the potential impact of such strikes on our ability to continue to drive this growth and development,” Singer adds.
Despite the disruption, the hospitality sector in Cape Town is determined to ensure that it remains business as usual for staff and guests, despite the external pressures.
“In our efforts to maintain the highest level of service, we are actively working to mitigate any disruption to our guests and prevent any potential damage to the reputation of Cape Town as a world-leading destination,” Singer concludes.
