This shift help protects razor-thin profit margins, though vendors face ongoing conflicts with local authorities over safety.

Ms Modiegi Selelo, who operates her skottel braai hotdog business in the Gaborone bus rank, stated that using cooking gas alone was no longer profitable hence resorting to charcoal.

“If I use only gas for cooking,I may not make enough profit. Charcoal helps cut down on expenses,” she recently told BOPA in an interview.

Ms Nonofo Bathobakae, a food vendor situated across from Molepolole’s busy Haphe Haphe bar lounge, explained that her business relied primarily on firewood because it was the most economical fuel source for bulk food preparation.

Even though Ms Bathobakae operates her business from Thursday to Sundays, she attributed the high demand for her street food to its affordability. She keeps her prices low thanks to the use of affordable wood instead of gas.

Although this sector significantly boosts the economy and sustains livelihoods, vendors are always in a tussle with due to their undefined legal status.

A vendor based at the bus rank, who identified herself as Connie noted that the use of gas and firewood in open spaces had been prohibited by Gaborone City Council bye law unit since 2021.

She nevertheless complained of unfair treatment by law enforcement, as some vendors continue to use gas.ENDS