Michael Ndiweni

The Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) has implored the government to prioritize livelihoods of traders in its response to the COVID-19 threat. Among the key recommendations from one of the biggest vendors association in the country are for Government to decentralize markets and for informal traders to operate within designated markets. Speaking to The Vendors Voice, BVTA Executive Director, Mr Michael Ndiweni, outlined the Association’s position on how livelihoods must not be treated as an afterthought in the Government’s fight against the pandemic. “Our message has been very clear that the government must place the livelihoods of traders at the centre of COVID-19 mitigation strategies. We emphasise that livelihoods also matter in as much as the government is trying to save lives from COVID-19, they must also be saved from hunger and starvation,” said Ndiweni. Ndiweni highlighted that the informal sector is an essential service and should be treated as such. He also added that, “The informal sector contributes 70% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). 90% of our people are self-employed.”  Ndiweni was however quick to say that traders must operate at the designated markets and not all over the streets. He also expressed optimism that the government will continue to allow traders to go about their business, provided they adhere to COVID-19 regulations. “The facts on the ground are that the president made a pronouncement that traders can go and work in their markets. He did not say they can go into the streets. We hope that the president will continue with that gesture to allow people to trade,” he said. Ndiweni reiterated his organization’s call on Bulawayo City Council to decongest the Central Business District and avail markets to residents in the townships. This he said will save residents time and money as they can avoid commuting to town. “We have been calling on the local authority to decentralize market places and ensure that bulk markets are accessible to townships. This is a strategic move to ensure that people are closer to markets.” According to the BVTA Director, residents, especially women are currently at the mercy of muggers and thieves as they try to get into town in the wee hours of the morning in order to purchase goods. “It is risky for women to be commuting as early as 4 am or 5 am while trying to dodge muggers and thieves. Trying to get into town is a very big inconvenience which exposes the women.” Still on the travelling to town aspect, Ndiweni warned the existential dangers of crowding in buses that exposes residents to COVID-19 and further made the case for decentralisation. He said “The idea of decongesting the CBD is very strategic because it addresses some of these challenges. Even when it comes to issues of licensing, people have to commute to town for licensing even though we have housing offices all over the townships that could do the licensing”. Furthermore, Ndiweni said the idea of keeping people out of town is strategic because it “brings services closer to the people” while reducing congestion. “Congestion exposes people to the virus as we know that the virus takes advantage of crowds”, he said. According to Ndiweni, BVTA is assisting traders by providing them with sanitizers, thermometers for screening at the market entrances, hand washing water dispensers and buckets. The organization has also assisted the city council with road line paint to remark some trading spaces in order to adhere to the requisite physical distancing. Ndiweni acknowledged the hit taken by the majority of traders during the pandemic and is calling on the government to provide a cushioning package for the largely incapacitated traders. “Because most traders went through the COVID-19 induced shocks, they are unable to restock, so they need support from the government in order to start working again,” he said.