By Bahle Gama
Despite making a killing in sales this year, the first week of the opening of schools has seen uniform suppliers running like headless chickens after failing to meet deadlines to deliver orders.
Owners of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) located at the Small Enterprises and Development Company (SEDCO) Estate in Mbabane were found restless, taking orders whilst also trying to meet deadlines for deliveries they were supposed to make before schools opened today.
Furious and frustrated parents were found queuing outside the respective shops, waiting to get their children’s school uniforms, but it was not promising as some were heard moving the delivery date to two days post the opening of schools on Tuesday and some to next week.
Interviewed business owners shared similar sentiments that business was booming this year, compared to the previous years when the pandemic left the entire world in turmoil, especially the business sector.
Their frustration was similar in delivering their goods on time. The owner of Tilly’s Dressmaker said most parents especially first graders, had placed orders late last year and due to a backlog, it became nearly impossible to make delivery on time. She however appreciated how well business was going for her this year.
“During the pandemic, I barely made anything because parents could not buy school uniforms and we ended up stuck with a lot of stock. This year it is a different story because all the children in the different grades are going to school and orders are flowing in,” she said hurriedly.
Antony Khumbane who owns Alwandze Boutique stated that they were no longer taking orders from customers because they were fully booked.
“We are not taking any more orders, our main priority now is to ensure that we deliver on time, lest we find ourselves dealing with unhappy customers,” he said.
Khumbane’s words were echoed by the owner of Nellie’s Boutique who added that some parents were also arriving to place orders last minute, “but we have enough stock and manpower to pull it off.”
Amongst the infuriated parents was Lungisile Simelane who has a first grader. She stated that she had arrived at the market to collect her daughter’s uniform but was told to return on Thursday when the uniform will be ready.
Thabile Mnisi a mother of two kindergarten-going children said she was arriving to place an order for the first time and her frustration was incorporated into her inability to put the money needed in time.
“If I had the money on time last year, I would have placed an order, but it clearly wouldn’t have made a difference, it’s unfortunate that my children will not be wearing their uniform on Tuesday,” she said.
In terms of making profits, the business owners stated that they were grateful to have made a lot of sales this year and attributed this to the return to a normal school calendar.
“We all know that all pupils will be going to school now, schools are expecting to see them donned in full uniform and for us, it’s a win. We will be exhausted in the end, but it will all be worth it. We suffered a huge loss because of the pandemic,” they added.
