BARELY five years after its inception, the top-notch Pencil Club, a prominent networking hub in Durban, has shut its doors, leaving its employees in a state of shock and financial disarray.
On Tuesday, the workers, which included waitresses, bartenders, cleaners and chefs, were up in arms after their February salaries, which they expected on yesterday, were not paid.
The Daily News visited the Pencil Club, based in uMhlanga, north of Durban, and found some workers in the corridors, and some visibly enraged. Some goods, including uncooked food, were also seen lying there.
The workers who spoke with the Daily News on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals, expressed their anger at how the company handled the matter.
“We were not informed before today (Tuesday) that we will not be getting our salaries for this month. The company failed to manage the matter well. I don't know how I am going to cater for my child this month,” said a worker.
Another upset employee lashed out made allegations that they have been abused as workers for a long time.
“There are some months where they paid only half our salaries without any prior explanation. This is exactly what they did to us this month. We are wearing uniforms because we thought that we would be working today. Instead, we were told this morning that the company has been liquidated,” said another employee.
In the wake of the sudden closure, many employees were seen embracing one another, unwilling to abandon their bonds forged during years of service. They wore their all-blue uniforms, a stark reminder of their employment within the once-thriving establishment.
All of the workers were against being photographed when the Daily News team arrived.
This newspaper has seen a letter sent to the employees on Tuesday, informing them about a meeting that was held on the same day at the Blackwing room.
The club boasted a bar, meeting rooms, gym, reading room, sauna, in-house hairstylist and catered for member events, which included seasonal parties and live music.
Pencil Club prided itself on being the “home to business professionals, creatives, philanthropists, and socialites.”
The Daily News sister publication, the Mercury, had previously reported that the decision to initiate business rescue proceedings was taken during a meeting held on February 3.
During this meeting, the Mercury reported that the directors resolved that the business was in financial distress and might not be able to meet some of its obligations as they become due.
The closure of the Pencil Club has cast a dark shadow over its lifetime members, some of whom had invested large sums of up to R1 million in membership fees. The dismal developments signal an uncertain future for the employees and members who had once placed their trust and resources into the venue.
Attempts to get a comment from the representative of the Pencil Club were unsuccessful, as they did not answer their phones or respond to messages sent to them.
DAILY NEWS