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ECSVA: Report 2007 by General Secretary, F.J. Jalile

 

Most of the towns and cities in the Eastern Cape region are not active but ECSVA is trying organise street vendors and encourge them to join. When ECSVA formed there were seven members organisations, now there are three that are active. A recent addition is an affiliate based in Port St Johns.

 

Nevertheless we are not settling down. ECSVA has started negotiating with the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The intention is to ask them to change the situation of the street vendors by building some structures for them rather than having to run their business on open spaces because at the end of the day that affects their lives. They have agreed to start in eMthatha to reshape the situation of the city and that the street vendors will not be left out of the process of development.

 

Food sellers

Towards the end of 2006 where was a problem of towing of containers and caravans which are being used by our members for conducting their business of selling foods in eMthatha. After our affilaite the African Hawkers Association chairperson contacted me to inform me about the problem of their members I organised a meeting with the Speaker of the Council, the Chairperson of Safety and Security and the Chairperson of Economic Development. In the meeting I explained the importance of these caravans and containers within the King Sabate Dalindyebo Municipality where unemployment is very high at about 72%. They agreed to return them to the street vendors because they understand the situation of unemployment in South Africa.  

 

Hair cutters

Pavement hair cutters were chased away from the streets of eMthatha, because of the by-law which says noone is allowed to be a street barber because of the health standard. The executive of the African Hawkers’ Association organised a meeting between the mayor and two committee members from the municipality, where we told them that there is no way you can remove the street barbers without any alternatives. We explained that people are supporting their families with what they earn as street barbers. Agreement was reached that the street barbers and haircutters would be moved from Madiera Street to Calorway Street and that the municipality would make the arrangements for this. Since then our members have continued to work at their places and are waiting for the municipality to take it to the next step.

 

NAFCOC

We have been invited to join NAFCOC. They want to change the situation of street vendors. They have said that street vendors are an important part of the economy of the province of the Eastern Cape.

 

Membership

Membership has begun to increase as eMthatha and Mqanduli are developing and people are flocking on to the pavements to make a living. We have also seen foreigners joining the organisation.

 

Local Government

The relationship between us and local government is good in Mthathe. In other cities such as Port Elizabeth it is not good, but that needs us as ECSVA to stand up and talk with one voice and face the enemy, without doing that we are going to fight a losing battle.

 

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