South Africa's world of e-commerce is readying to go under the new comprehensive safety measures in place to ensure strict, safe and healthy trade during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
This was the finding by the Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, after he inspected major online distribution centre Takealot in Cape Town on Monday – among several visited in the past week.
"We need to open up e-commerce because it allows people to trade in a way that is safe. We are working hard to open up the economy. It's absolutely vital we open it in a safe way," Maynier said.
Maynier said certain e-commerce businesses had gone above and beyond – even hiring nurses, on site, to advise and deal with any problems.
Other Covid-19 safety measures included extensive safety signage, area demarcation, hand washing, temperature testing, masks, safety education, personal protective equipment (PPE), physical distancing and even perspex screens on dining tables in the canteen – to safely separate staffers sharing a meal on their shifts.
"I'm impressed with what I see. There are appropriate social distancing measures in the warehouse, there are appropriate hygiene measures, and the appropriate screening measures are in place," Maynier reported.
On Friday, Maynier wrote to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Ebrahim Patel, requesting him to issue additional directives alongside the Level 4 regulations to permit online retailers to sell all goods, the delivery of those goods directly to customers, and for the importation of those goods to be allowed.
"The e-commerce sector has already shown that it is able to limit physical interaction and transact through electronic or card payments, making it one of the safest retail options for limiting the spread of Covid-19. We, therefore, see no reason why this sector should not be allowed to open up fully and sell all goods through e-commerce platforms.
"In doing so, we can significantly support jobs and increase economic activity in the Western Cape and South Africa during the Covid-19 crisis.
"The e-commerce industry in South Africa represents an expansive supply chain of businesses across retail and logistics sectors, and provides an online platform for businesses, especially SMMEs to access and compete in markets where they would ordinarily not have been able to trade," Maynier argued.
The sector employs at least 40 000 people in South Africa - it could potentially employ a lot more if allowed to expand under Level 4, he said.
On Friday, Maynier met Sameena Kariel and Abdurahman Kariel, the owners of Valota Farm in the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA).
"Valota Farm is one of the small businesses whose products, together with others from the PHA farms, are available to buy on the Granadilla Eats website, providing up to 80% of their fresh produce.
"Speaking to Sameena and Abdurahman, I heard how the e-commerce platform provided by Granadilla Eats, and their own e-commerce website, has provided Valota Farm with the opportunity to continue their operations and keep farming during this crisis," Maynier added.
In a statement on Monday, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde added that e-commerce could play a role in limiting infections in shops and shopping malls while still allowing businesses to operate.
- Takealot is part of Naspers, the owner of Media24, News24's parent company.