Shoprite under pressure as Khayelitsha community protests for local employment

It was not business as usual at Site C Plaza in Khayelitsha on Tuesday, July 29, when community members shut the gates from 5am, demanding that Shoprite honour promises to employ local people and contractors.

The protest, led by the Site C Ward Development Forum and other stakeholders, follows what they say was an agreement reached with Shoprite management in October 2024 in Brackenfell.

They claim the retailer has failed to deliver on commitments, including hiring Site C small companies for cleaning and security and appointing liaison officers to improve communication with local businesses.

Xolani Dywili, chairperson of the forum, said he was concerned over reports of mistreatment among workers. He said that complaints came not only from Shoprite employees but also from workers at other spaza shops within the plaza.

“We had an agreement at a meeting in Brackenfell to submit the Site C companies' profiles. That was in October. We did not stop there; we held another meeting here in White Hall in Site C. We have been patiently waiting, but nothing is happening," he said, adding that constant reminders were sent, but they were ignored.

"That is why we have taken this route. This is a peaceful protest, but we cannot guarantee that it will remain peaceful if we are not taken seriously,” said Mr Dywili.

He said he was shocked that no progress had been made despite the submission of the necessary documents.

“The situation for Khayelitsha residents is dire. People are poor and hungry, yet they have a centre that is supposed to employ them, which instead hires outsiders. We are not against people from other townships, but we insist that Site C residents must benefit from employment opportunities as well,” he said.

Mr Dywili said should no action be taken, "they may escalate their actions, potentially leading to a complete closure of the plaza. 

The centre serves a large portion of Khayelitsha residents, particularly those from informal settlements.

Protesters sang protest songs at the main entrance to the shops, and although the protest remained peaceful, there was a visible police presence. The community has vowed to continue its protest until management addresses its grievances.

Sibusiso Mdlankomo, the forum’s deputy secretary, said shops in the centre were not exempt from their demands, stating that they, too, exploit and underpay their workers.

“These workers are part of this community, and it pains us to see them being ill-treated. Those who work in these spaza shops are not registered for UIF, lack contracts, and have only 10 minutes for lunch. We cannot allow that to happen in our presence. These shops must get their acts together before we take actions they would not like,” he said.

The protest also drew former centre workers who came to show support for the community. One said she was committed to the cause, while another, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of harassment, raised concerns about leaders misrepresenting the community’s interests.

“Personally, I am not happy with the closing of the plaza for those fighting for their own selfish interests. There are workers from Site C in this centre. I can vouch that many local people resigned because they were lazy, and some think they are entitled to arrive late for work,” she said.

The forum is now awaiting a response from the retail chain regarding their demands and has threatened to close the plaza if no action is taken soon.

Vukani reached out to Shoprite for a response, but no response had been received at the time of going to print.