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Black Box Coffeeworks, a beloved local gem serving the Table Mountain National Park community since 2017, is now facing an unprecedented crisis.

Delays in renewing their trading permit—an issue caused by bureaucratic setbacks within SANParks and the Table Mountain National Park officials—have left the business in limbo, per Chris Green on LinkedIn.

Founded by local entrepreneur Benn Koene, Black Box Coffeeworks has blossomed from a humble coffee stall into a thriving mobile café with a dedicated team of 18 employees during peak seasons. Yet today, the doors are shuttered, and the future of this cherished establishment is uncertain as Koene and his team await a permit that is now two weeks overdue.

After completing his university studies, Koene founded Black Box Coffeeworks with no prior business experience, driven by a passion to create something meaningful. Over the past seven years, the café has evolved into a beloved community hub, serving both locals and tourists while showcasing Cape Town’s unique spirit and natural beauty.

However, operating within the Park comes with its own set of challenges. Every three years, Koene must go through a competitive, closed bidding process to renew his permit, leaving Black Box Coffeeworks’ future constantly hanging in the balance. Koene submitted his renewal bid in August, but after weeks of silence and vague promises of updates, he was still in the dark by October 31. With no clarity on his application status, Koene was left with no choice but to close his two highest-earning locations, jeopardising his business and the livelihoods of his employees.

Despite multiple attempts to engage with SANParks officials—whether for a temporary extension, short-term permits, or even an event permit—Koene’s requests have been met with indifference, silence, or outright refusal. His emails have gone unanswered, and a recent encounter with a SANParks representative ended abruptly when she drove off mid-conversation, further deepening Koene’s frustration.

“I’m trying everything in my power to keep my business afloat, but SANParks has put up every roadblock possible,” Koene said.

“We’ve just come through a tough winter, barely making it through by taking out loans. Now, we can’t even open our doors because of these bureaucratic delays. My team is suffering; they rely on their income to support their families, and it’s heartbreaking to be on the verge of having to let people go over paperwork that is ‘waiting for signatures.’”

The consequences stretch far beyond Black Box Coffeeworks. The café is an integral part of Cape Town’s economy—employing locals, supporting tourism, and enriching the visitor experience at the iconic Table Mountain National Park. In a country where unemployment is a pressing issue, this bureaucratic delay threatens not only the future of the business but also the livelihoods of Koene’s employees.

The situation is even more frustrating when compared to the City of Cape Town’s approach, which has granted temporary permits to small businesses affected by permit renewals, allowing them to continue trading. In contrast, SANParks has refused to offer Black Box Coffeeworks a similar solution, forcing the business to close indefinitely. This inconsistency raises serious concerns about SANParks’ commitment to supporting small businesses and their employees.

“The City of Cape Town understands that business interruptions like this can devastate small traders and has found a temporary solution. Yet SANParks refuses to consider any flexibility, even though their own delay is the only reason we’re in this position,” Koene said.

“We are simply asking for the same consideration the City has shown its traders, so we can keep serving our community and keep our staff employed.”

Koene is calling upon the community to help spread awareness and hold SANParks accountable for this ongoing delay.

“Black Box Coffeeworks is more than just a business; it’s a part of this community. We’ve built relationships, fostered talent, and provided a quality experience within the Park for seven years. I’m asking for support—not just to save Black Box but to prevent this kind of administrative indifference from happening to other small businesses.”

Black Box Coffeeworks has faced its fair share of challenges over the years, but the loss of their permit could be terrible. Benn Koene and his dedicated team are urgently calling on SANParks to take swift action and reissue their trading permit, allowing them to reopen their doors, save their jobs, and continue serving the residents and visitors of Cape Town.

In this critical moment, the community’s support is more vital than ever. Locals are encouraged to raise their voices—share their support on social media, and contact SANParks to help ensure that Black Box Coffeeworks can survive this devastating setback.

[source:linkedin]