05 Aug 2018

 Maun small-scale businesses have called upon the North West District Council to establish a healthy working relationship with them taking into consideration that they too contributed to the economy of the country. 

 The business owners expressed concern during an engagement with council officials in Maun recently, calling on the government to nurture and safeguard the interests of informal traders.

They appreciated that even though they did violate some of the regulations because of their economic status, they decried what they termed  unfair treatment by some council officials who they said applied favouritism when effecting regulations.

 They also stated that there were inconsistencies in the information given to traders as some had been trading with wrong licenses, something they said had resulted in the collapse of some businesses.

The growth of the sector, they noted was impeded by among others, lack of access to infrastructure and services, insufficient skills, low entrepreneurial drive, and rigid trade and land use regulations.

 One of them, Mr Kenaleone Tshupelo who runs a tuck-shop said the regulations in place were a stumbling block for the growth of the small-scale businesses citing a clause which stated that a tuck-shop should be 15 metres from the main roads.

 He also noted that some of the requirements were costly hence some ended up violating the regulations because the council had set high standards.

“We are small businesses. The little profits we make is adequate to make ends meet for our families and with these tough regulations, we will end up out of business,” he added.

Mr Tshupelo said government should come up with regulations aimed at fostering business growth considering the rising unemployment in the country and the apparent failure of the formal economy to generate employment.

Mr  Lemogang Shamuku urged the council to provide infrastructure for informal traders. 

He said they could not operate from homes because they had to find strategic places where there was market.

He said in other countries governments provided market shells for small entrepreneurs as they understood their importance in the economies. 

Mr Abel Moshashane advised other small business owners to join the Maun Small Business Association so that they could speak with one voice. ENDS