A year into lockdown - Businesses continue to fight against the odds

We've been in lockdown for almost a year now. 

The restrictions, prompted by a raging pandemic, have devastated the country's business sector. 

They saw an end to some household names, while also shuttering other big businesses and small ones. 

The lockdown, which began at the highest level of 5, left many businesses having to re-look how they operate or risk the consequences.

While society adjusted to the new normal amid efforts by the government to mitigate the health impact of the pandemic, thousands of establishments were left high and dry with not a single cent coming in.

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According to StatsSA, more than 75% of all businesses experienced a significant drop in revenue from the end of March last year.

Those hardest hit include the tourism alcohol industries.

Many hotels, guest houses and tourism sites didn't make it.

Some of those still standing operated with minimal staff and close to no guests when lockdown regulations allowed some level of operation.

The alcohol industry estimated an R36 billion revenue loss as a result of the multiple bans imposed throughout the year.

It says over 51-thousand jobs, including 7 000 direct ones in the alcohol value chain were placed under threat after the last five-week ban on sales.

The entertainment industry wasn't spared. Capacity restrictions, social distancing and travel restrictions meant events, concerts, tours and weddings had to be put on ice.

A year on, the businesses that survived are still trying to pick up the pieces, but with no certainty of what the future looks like.