By Noluthando Dlamini
The recent opening of the PEP Home outlet at Kloof Village Mall has been welcomed by residents and business people alike as a much-needed addition to the drive up ramping up employment in the western Durban area.
One of the residents and newly-hired employee Philangezwi Cele has hailed the new shop as life-changing.
He said: ”This opportunity means the world to me. This job means everything to me.”
Cele added that: “It means I can bring food home, because they depend on me. Now that I have a permanent job, they (the family) are also happy. Everything at home will change.”
Cele said he is happy that he can now share with his brother the responsibility of taking care of their five siblings, their two children and their mother.
“My mother does not work. We used to live on grant money, but now we are both working, it is going to change everything,” he said.
Bobby Collingwood, a 67-year-old nursery owner and resident, believes a new store will not only be convenient but also increase employment in the area, which will benefit the broader community.
“As someone who is in business, I think that PEP will do well. It will save me the trouble of going to Hillcrest or Durban to buy what I need. I am very happy that I can walk to here and back home.”
Divya Rasgopaul, the Kloof PEP store manager, is enthusiastic about the store’s anticipated positive impact on the local unemployment rate.
“We’ve hired five people… five casuals and two of them have been promoted to
being permanent,” she said.
She added that: “If you look at this community and this store, it goes down to the very small detail. You come in here and you see a store, but don’t see what went into it. Some people had to paint, people that had to tile, alarm companies were involved, light fitters
involved… Then all the products that we (sell) get manufactured, so that creates jobs.”
A local government official is also pleased with the store’s opening, especially its potential to generate job opportunities.
Kloof Ward 10 Councillor Caelee Laing said: “The store has opened in the central Kloof area, which brings more convenience to the surrounding residential area. Instead of having to go to large shopping centres, the residents and surrounding suburbs have access closer. It is also convenient when it comes to public transport routes and stops.”
An economist and senior portfolio manager from Makwe Fund Managers, Phaswane Mphahlele, highlighted the importance of such an initiative in the community.
“Local community support is crucial for the sustainable growth of new stores and maximising employment opportunities. It provides a strong customer base driven by community support, leading to increased sales and business expansion. This growth fosters more local partnerships and corporate responsibility efforts, creating a thriving local economy.”
