Cape Town, South Africa went way beyond my expectations. The city was beautiful and we were so lucky to stay right on the beach. The city is very westernized but there are many problems they face in the business sector. We toured a few small business owners that shared their stories with us. Mr. Siguqa, the owner of Klein Goederust Wine, bought and renovated his winery with the goal of ending the generational poverty that many families have been facing post-apartheid. He has been employing only black workers that have faced the same generational poverty since owning the vineyard. Siki from Siki?s Koffee Kafe started his company in the community of Khayelitsha. His company has struggled with load shedding and trying to find ways to cater to customers during electricity shutdowns. We also visited with Puma, a global brand, who discussed how they market, operate their stores and websites, and cater specifically to the South African customers. During the Pepsi Co. factory tour they also explained how they have been operating around loadshedding. The company would like to run their factory 24/7 due to the demand for their product but the electricity shutdowns create a challenge for production and scheduling factory workers. My experience studying abroad changed my perspective on global business and life. Getting to meet and talk with the locals of South Africa, especially the ones in Khayelitsha, made me appreciate what I have and encouraged me to learn more about other cultures and their way of life.
