CommuTalk Reporter
GWERU: Public officials who joined the International Street Vendors Day hosted by Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) in Gweru; Mkoba recently said vendors deserve better mainly noting that they contribute much more to local gross domestic products of cities and towns in Zimbabwe.
In his address, Gweru Urban MP Dr Josiah Makombe said people should not ignore the fact that economies like Singapore became powerhouses through contributions from the informal sector.
“Many of us may think Singapore was just as it is today. No! It was a long road for the trade hub to become an economic powerhouse and it should be noted that formalized informal sector was the major contributor to its achievements.
“We may also take lightly vending as a lesser job but if we are to be honest many of us were raised by vending proceeds something that shows its potential. If we are also to be honest with ourselves we will all agree that Mtapa Market in the City of Gweru circulates more money than any other business setting so for that these vendors deserve better,” Dr Makombe said.
Dr Makombe also revisited the issue of exorbitant costs being charged for vending stalls at Kudanayi Market for which he facilitated agreements during his tenure as Gweru Mayor.
“The idea was never that of charging exorbitant costs. The idea was only to give vendors a good working space while paying reasonable and affordable prices,” he also said.
In her remarks, City of Gweru Deputy Mayor, Nyaradzo Madzukura also promised to do all she could to make sure that vendors get fair treatment from the council.
“We know that we face a mammoth task as far as the welfare of vendors is concerned and my promise today is, along with other councilors, we will do our best to make sure that your plights are addressed,” said Madzukura.
Speaking at the same event, Ward 18 councilor William Mazango plans are already in the pipeline to re-open the weekend street market (kotamai) so that vendors would benefit from proximity to clients while the council also increases its revenue.
Vendors also gave their input with their major point of discussion being a plea to council to try and give them vending spaces along shop pavement, a model they say works in other countries.
They also argued that if formalized, the model will see an orderly vending practice in the CBD and also see an end to the cat and mouse race between municipal police officers and vendors on a daily basis.