Informal traders seek to end battles
Delight Sibanda
Bulawayo-Informal traders in Ward 20 have bemoaned their never-ending running battles with city council security and are calling for proper vending areas, among other needs.
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association in partnership with Vendors Initiative for Social Economic Transformation held a meeting for Ward 20 informal traders to discuss their concerns, challenges and possible solutions.
VISET Acting Program Manager, Edward Kapodogo invited the vendors to explain their challenges and how they would want them to be resolved.
One of the main challenges that emerged was the lack of proper vending bays that has seen vendors fighting running battles with authorities.
The informal traders also raised the issue of lack of water and toilets in their working areas. “We don’t have toilets and water which is a big challenge for us and our customers,” said Primrose Dube.
Mellisa Ncube said vendors needed training workshops to learn how they could make their businesses more viable. “We need workshops where we can share and learn ideas on how to get customers, raise capital and operate effectively…Workshops that address issues that directly affect us. When we are armed with knowledge, it would be easier for us to comply with the law and formalise because we do not want to be informal traders forever said,” Mellisa Ncube.
The vendors expressed a willingness to acquire licenses to avoid brushes with the law. “We always run away from the BCC to avoid confiscation of our wares. We are tired of that and want to operate legally,” said another participant.
BVTA and VISET will conduct a survey to look more closely at these challenges that are faced by informal traders in ward 20, “dig deeper” and also talk to other vendors who did not attend the meeting and establish a way forward.
