Two icons of my youth have been victims of the times.
The one is the Edcon Group, which owns Edgars amongst others.
Edcon was already in some dire straits, but the lockdown has forced the group to go into voluntary business rescue.
This means when the Coronavirus pandemic is finally behind us, Edgars will no longer be the business we are familiar with.
They are busy restructuring their operations.
For those of you who know my writing, I am no fan of debt, especially the purchasing of essentials on credit.
That having been said, I also recognise that it’s the only way of life for millions of people across the world.
Edgars also provides employment for thousands of people all over the Cape Flats.
I did appreciate the forthright address of Edcon CEO Grant Pattison to his suppliers a few weeks ago, when he prioritised staff salaries.
I was especially touched when he could be heard getting very emotional about the effects his decision would have on many small suppliers and their families.
My hat goes off to Edcon.
FILE PHOTO: Shoppers walk past an Edgars store at a shopping centre in Soweto, southwest of Johannesburg
The other story that broke my heart is the indefinite closure of Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay.
It is one of those places that I would drive to on a random Saturday afternoon, for a family box of fish and chips, followed by a leisurely walk on the beach.
It’s where I have met many awe-struck foreigners, who had hopped off one of the topless bus tours.
I loved going there, because it reminded me of my youth and buying a parcel of fish and chips at Snoekies.
The Coronavirus is wiping many beautiful memories away, but it’s also putting some lump-in-the-throat stories of humanity on display.
In this case, Mariner’s also prioritised salaries, retrenchment packages and long-service pay-outs for staff.