We meet the final recipients of the Hippo #GetBackToBusiness support funds and learn how the opportunity restored their hope and rebuilt their businesses.
South Africa (17 September 2021) – As the #GetBackToBusiness campaign by Hippo.co.za comes to a close, we take a look at the final small businesses that received R25,000 in support each. The ten businesses supported by this inspiring initiative have gone on to rebuild after the recent rioting.
In the weeks since we started sharing stories of businesses being helped by Hippo.co.za, we have seen so much hope and positivity flourish. That was the aim of the comparison website’s generosity, to uplift the small businesses that have felt the pinch of lockdown and the looting during the riots.
Through the #GetBackToBusiness campaign, Hippo set out to help ten small businesses get back on their feet. Five businesses were selected by 947 and five by East Coast Radio. Each selected SME has been rewarded R20,000 in cash and R5,000 to rebuild their business with the necessary fibre access.
Hippo.co.za started this campaign to provide people with better choices during unexpected situations such as the pandemic or, more recently, the rioting. Helping them with making the right decisions with regards to their businesses.
“Running a business is tough enough at the best of times, and the recent riots and looting in our country only made things tougher for many small businesses. Right now, business owners and employees need to make good decisions, based on a clear comparison of the options available to them, and what’s right for their business.” - Bradley du Chenne, Hippo.co.za
Lwazi Magubane, the owner of Impukane Gardening Services, started his business to create employment for young people in his community. Things got tough during the lockdown, and then, when the rioting took place, Lwazi’s brush cutters and other gardening tools were stolen.
Lwazi employs three people, and with the injection of cash from Hippo, he can replace the stolen tools and get back to business again.
“Being chosen as one of the businesses that was going to receive support from Hippo made me super excited about the revival of our business, we were in a bad place, maybe even hopeless…however the help came at the right time, when we needed a hand up.”
He plans to continue hiring youth from the community to empower them; that is how Lwazi hopes to give back.
Maandla Usher Daswa, the owner of Daswa Electronics had his store looted. The store was filled with customers phones and computers that had been in for repair and everything was taken. Without a way to return the stolen goods, Maandla has had his business all but crumble.
With three children to feed, his last hope was restored thanks to Hippo. The money he has received will help him repurchase the equipment needed to do repairs for future customers. He has already purchased a container that he plans to use as his new business. The next step for Maandla, is to open an internet cafe. With the support of Hippo and his community, the future looks bright.
The entire Hippo campaign has inspired hope for those who truly felt they had lost it all.