Byo cross border traders sweat over SA chaos
By Ratidzai Matumbura and Providence Moyo
BULAWAYO- Bulawayo informal traders are hoping for South Africa to completely contain the looting of goods by its citizens so that they can resume their normal business operations.
This came to light during a virtual meeting held last week by the Women Institute for Leadership Development (WILD), themed ‘#Conversation on Shutdown SA and Zimbabwe cross border traders.’
The meeting focused on female cross-border traders who were in attendance to discuss the effects of the protests and come up with ways to counter the adverse situation.
Developments in the southern neighbour as expected, have had a negative impact on Bulawayo’s informal traders who heavily depend on supply of goods from South Africa.
The violent clashes between security forces and citizens across the Limpopo slowed down and in some cases, halted the movement of goods to Zimbabwe,thereby putting a strain on Bulawayo businesses that are reliant on imports from across the Limpopo.
Most participants highlighted that their businesses had momentarily ground to a halt amid heightened fears of a complete breakdown in the supply chain.
Jacqueline Ndlovu, a cross border trader based in Bulawayo said the cross border trading fraternity is hoping for the normalization of the situation. She indicated that her main worry was the looting and destruction of property which had put severe strain on her business which is also reeling from the effects of COVID19.
“As cross border traders, we hope that South Africa manages to fully contain the protests and looting because most of us rely on products from South Africa,” she said.
Meanwhile, king of the Mthwakazi kingdom in South Africa, King Bulelani Khumalo has also called for calm in the country.
According to King Bulelani the looting and loss of lives come at a time when the world is grappling with hunger, poverty and unemployment exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic that is piercing deeply into people’s livelihoods.
“It is sad that such disturbances come at a time when there is low employment but only starvation and hunger.” He said.
Participants encouraged each other to diversify and invest in other projects which would not require imports. The traders vowed to adopt a transformative mindset that seeks to lessen dependence on imports.
