19 Oct 2016

Street vendors in Francistown are up in arms against illegal vendors for trading right in front of their kiosks in the northern city’s Central Business District (CBD).
Through an association called Matshambo Street Traders Association, the licensed traders say illegal sellers stifled them out of the limited spaces and customers available.
Consisting of more than 100 members operating within the Francistown CBD, the self-regulatory group’s chairperson, Mr Odirile Othusitse said in an interview that the situation needed a joint effort approach; hence the formation of the association.
“We cannot sit back and watch the city council (FCC) tackling the problem alone because it will not easily go away if we don’t help,” Mr Othusitse said.
He said the stifling effect of the shady trade perpetrated by both locals and foreigners was too much to bear and that the most disheartening part about it was that they sold their goods cheaply.
“That has forced us to drop our prices in turn because we have to survive the stiff competition,” said the vendor.
Mr Othusitse also highlighted that some illegal vendors had a tendency to sell illegal goods such as cigarettes and medicinal substances.
The association’s strategy is to use name tags that bear a member’s photo, names, number, and the name of the association, he said.
He added that only vendors with valid licenses would be registered and that each of them would be expected to wear it visibly or produce it upon request to do so.
Mr Othusitse said the strategy was working for them because already some illegal vendors have been exposed and that most vendors were forthcoming in support of the new approach.
On other things, the lead vendor said their association did not focus on the challenges of illegal vendors alone, but also provided a platform for capacity building so members improved their businesses. ENDS