Hill-Lewis, Zille sees chance for many, but not without Chuckles

Many challenges and responsibilities rest daily on Geordin Hill-Lewis and Helen Zille’s shoulders and on the surface they handle them effortlessly.

Just weeks ago, Zille, Johannesburg’s mayoral candidate for the DA, ventured into the streets of Dobsonville on a rubber rowing boat to draw attention to Johannesburg’s poor stormwater infrastructure. Hill-Lewis, newly elected DA leader and Cape Town’s mayor, is also known for his outspokenness.

When it became known that the end might be in sight for Chuckles the chocolate ball sweets, neither of these two DA leaders was full of laughter.

Both are known for their daring and courage in the country’s political landscape and they do not back down a step. But even politicians can only take so much. With municipal problems, Zille and Hill-Lewis can still make a plan, but the possible disappearance of Chuckles from Woolworths’ shelves was just too much to process, just like for thousands of other South Africans. The chance that this chocolate delicacy’s continued existence could possibly be in jeopardy was a crisis they saw no chance for.

“South Africa has been through enough. But to lose Chuckles? No,” Hill-Lewis wrote on X. He jokingly told Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa in the post asked to intervene.

Meanwhile, Chuckles lovers nationwide breathed a collective sigh of relief when the premium retailer announced that Chuckles is not going anywhere.

When it became known Beyers Chocolates, which also produces the iconic Sweetie Pie marshmallows and caramel bears, had filed for liquidation, Hill-Lewis said the issue required the urgent attention of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Zille shared Hill-Lewis’ post with the comment that she completely agreed.

Woolworths replied that the quality of this chocolate will continue to be of the exceptional quality that customers have come to expect and is available throughout the country. “There are no shortages or stock problems when it comes to Woolies chocolate.”

Financial Mail last week reported on the nearly 40-year-old chocolate business with its headquarters in Kempton Park applying for liquidation due to a trade dispute over exclusivity with Woolworths – one of its biggest customers. This reportedly led to Woolworths reducing orders from the group, forcing the company to begin the liquidation process. The chocolate company was founded by Kees Beyers at the time.

According to reports, the dispute stemmed from the exclusive agreement the retailer has with Woolworths.

Business Tech reported that the groups butted heads because Beyers Chocolates wanted to expand its factory operations and supply to other retailers and this would threaten Woolworths’ exclusivity. This in turn led to Woolworths’ orders being reduced and this eventually drove the chocolatier into liquidation. Beyers Chocolates supplies various products to large retail groups including Checkers and Pick n Pay. It also serves various sub-brands and private brands supplied to airports and the hospitality industry.

“Due to confidentiality issues, Woolworths cannot comment on the nature of our relationship with Beyers. However, we can say that Woolies chocolate – which includes Chuckles – continues to be the exceptional quality that our customers love and expect. It is available widely and across the country.”

Many chocolate lovers feel like Zille and Hill-Lewis. One of the commenters writes on Facebook “someone should buy the recipe”. Another labels the news as “worse than the fuel increase”.

Alet Loader expressed many people’s feelings with her message: “One cannot not have Chuckles. It is a serious violation of our democratic right to buy the best chocolate. Please Woolworths, buy a chocolate factory or buy Beyers… it is a friend, a shoulder to cry on, your best conversation with no one but a bag of Chuckles. It even makes traffic, taxis and big bully cars fade away. I can write books if that will help?”