2010-05-12: Informal traders to benefit from World Cup
It is “business as usual” for informal traders during the 2010 World Cup while many additional opportunities to trade have been identified by Joburg during this major event.
The City of Johannesburg has been engaging with all its informal traders and has intensified its interaction with traders particularly during the build up to the World Cup.
“Our existing informal traders stand to benefit more from increased visitor traffic volumes throughout the city during the World Cup,” said Sibongile Mazibuko, Executive Director for the City’s 2010 office.
An estimated 350 000 overseas visitors are expected to descend on Johannesburg during the next few weeks while South African business is anticipating a retail boost due to the extended school holidays.
In formulating an equitable plan to sustain traders during this event, Joburg has given priority to those traders who will be directly affected by any temporary restrictions that will be incurred to them around stadiums on football match days.
Approximately 200 events traders who normally do business outside stadiums during sporting events have been accommodated in special demarcated selling areas for trading during soccer matches.
An additional 800 temporary trading stall points have been identified at various parallel events such as fan fests and at strategic fan gathering points e.g. park and ride areas for the duration of the tournament.
In 2010 the City stepped up its efforts through its Forum for Informal Traders by embarking on an educational campaign to inform traders of temporary by-laws that will come into place during the World Cup. Traders participated in numerous training sessions provided by the City to improve their skills on safety, presentation and hygienic food preparation practices.
Johannesburg launched the Hoek Street linear market for informal traders in the CBD in March. The linear market - servicing 45 traders who were once trading on sidewalks - is working proof of the city’s commitments through the Inner City Regeneration Charter to implement solutions to unmanaged trading on CBD streets.
Further trading opportunities during the World Cup are being identified by the City and, when these arise, traders registered on the City’s database are approached to service these sites. This process is ongoing and concerned traders are advised to register at the city’s Department of Economic Development (DED) in Jorrisen St, Braamfontein.
For further details contact
Gaynor Mashamaite
City of Joburg Communications
011-407-7090
Sibongile Mazibuko
ED Joburg 2010 Office
082-467-9235
For DED enquiries on traders:
Visit 66 Jorrisen St, Braamfontein, Xolani Nxumalo 011-358-3430