08 Sep 2020

Gaborone City Council (GCC) is determined to assist informal traders to transform their businesses into sustainable sources of income. 

GCC mayor, Mr Father Maphongo, on Monday, visited informal traders in Ledumang, mostly car washes and eateries. 

He informed traders that his visit was to appreciate challenges they faced and determine how best the council could assist them in order to have a meaningful economic impact on the city. 

The mayor indicated that the area they were located in had potential to create employment, hence the council’s plan to assist them create a conducive environment to run their businesses. 

Mr Maphongo explained that GCC was against informal occupation of land, noting that council representatives would make a list of all the traders so that they could be issued trading licenses and formally allocate spaces to trade. 

He highlighted that trading licenses would afford them an opportunity to grow their businesses since they would then be in a position to open bank accounts and stand a chance to apply for loans to grow their businesses. 

He promised the traders that GCC would construct drainage system, assist in putting up proper structures, a flood light as well as provision of other services such as collection of rubbish and placing temporary toilets. 

The mayor pointed out that the private sector would be engaged to assist in the initiative. 

Mr Maphongo indicated that when the whole process was completed, they would come up with a plan for GCC vehicles to be washed there, adding that eateries would also benefit since a lot of people would visit the area. 

The mayor urged the traders to look after the environment they operated in, take health conditions into consideration and avoid using the area for any criminal activities. 

He indicated that the city council had resolved to locate open spaces all around the city and allocate at least four to members of the community mostly youth and women. 

In addition, Mr Maphongo said assessment would be made before allocating spaces taking into consideration businesses that would create employment. 

For his part, area councillor, Mr Thuso Khubamang, said since establishment of the businesses, alcohol and drug abuse that was rampant in the area, had drastically reduced. 

“Alcohol and drug abuse lead to criminal activities and now crime has also reduced in the area. I applaud the mayor for his efforts to formalise this area into a market,” he said. 

Mr Tshwarang Tulelo, who sells food in the area, said the initiative was a welcome development, adding that it would attract more customers since the area would be clean and presentable. Ends