rights

Shot in the arm for Gwanda informal traders

Gwanda informal traders claim to have received a big boost in Social Accountability and Advocacy knowledge during a training workshop conducted by Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) at Jahunda Primary School in the town. The Vendors Voice spoke to one of the vendors who benefited from the training, Mr Tashinga Gorejena who was full of praise for the training program. “The informal traders network was a wonderful opportunity for us as BVTA took time to selflessly conscientize us about our rights. We found out that as vendors, we have more rights than we thought.” Mr Gorejena took the liberty to give The Vendors Voice a brief run-down of the workshop. He added that the vendors used the workshop to form a properly constituted committee which was tasked to initiate the registration of Jahunda Vendors and Traders Association. “BVTA conscientized us about our rights. The training started off with scenario mapping, where we discussed our challenges and possible solutions. It was on that very day that we formed a committee because we did not have one before then. We also learnt that we can collectively bargain with stakeholders such as the Gwanda Municipality and the government through its various arms and agencies,” said Gorejena. Gorejena said, while the Jahunda Vendors and Traders Association is still in its infancy and experiencing teething problems, the future looks bright mainly due to the help that it is getting from BVTA. “We have been granted access to the BVTA constitution and so we are using it as a resource tool in improving our own constitution for proper registration,” he said. Thanks to the advocacy knowledge gained from the training, the Gwanda informal traders managed to meet the Gwanda municipality to register their concerns. “We learnt that through advocacy we can bring the Council and or other stakeholders to account and be heard,” said Gorejena.

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BVTA Press Statement on Harassment of an informal trader by mounted law enforcement agents

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) strongly condemns an incident of violence that occurred to one of our member and the systematic harassment of vendors and informal traders in the CBD when going about their business. On the 7th of August 2020, a BVTA member was nearly trampled instead hit on the forehead by a horse and suffered bruises near OK Supermarket along Lobhengula Street in Bulawayo. Joyce Leta was coming out of OK Supermarket at Godini where she was bruised by one of the mounted law enforcement agents which were speeding on the pavements. She narrated that she was left unattended lying traumatised on the ground and bleeding on the forehead. Below is her testimony that she shared with Vendors Voice: “On Friday 7 August, 2020, just outside OK Supermarket at Godini I was hit by one of the ZRP horses on the forehead, as they were rushing to TM supermarket just near OK. I was left traumatised and fell on the ground, bleeding on the forehead. People who witnessed the incident came and assisted me in standing on my feet and picking up my parcels which I had thrown onto the ground. They were coming from Ross Camp and I was not aware they were moving on my direction.” “I did not go anywhere to report or seek medication. Where would I report, to who and who injured me? People advised me to go and report at Ross Camp and some said at Central police station. However, I just went back home and drank painkillers. I almost died on that day but well, the Lord saved me. How would I fight this in this country? I will keep my silence. I think a lot of people were injured on that day but who can voice out? No one would, we will just suffer in silence.” We urge the law enforcement officers to respect the rights of vendors and informal traders as they do their patrols. It is deplorable that vendors and informal traders’ rights continue to be violated and treated inhumanely whereas Section 24 of our Constitution guarantees them the right to work and support their families.  The Constitution of Zimbabwe states that all citizens have the right to be protected and the right to life, therefore they must not be harmed. We implore the government to ensure that the citizens are protected even when it is enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, it is its obligation to ensure that the rights of citizens are preserved. Contact details: Fourth floor, Suite 406, Fidelity Life Building Fife street and 11th Avenue Email:bulawayovendors@gmail.com Facebook: Bulawayo Vendors Trust/ Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association Twitter: @bvtatrust Website: www.bvtatrust.org Phone: +263 713 635 908

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DOUBLE CELEBRATION AT VULINDLELA ORPHANAGE CARE

A double celebration was experienced last week at Vulindlela Orphanage Care in Mpopoma, where orphans were given donations in the form of reusable pads by Lady Rose in partnership with Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) and women were empowered with information on their rights. Giving out necessities to an orphanage is one of the authentic ways to help orphans. Nqobile Ndlovu (Lady Rose Founder and BVTA member) donated reusable pads to orphans at Vulindlela Orphanage and the girls were shocked and thrilled by such a generous and thoughtful deed. Ndlovu told the girls that cloth pads are less likely to cause rashes, irritation and cancer and they are more breathable. He also promised to teach the girls to make their own reusable pads. Ndlovu donated more than 15 reusable pads to the girls. “The main aim of this project is to help a girl child,” said Ndlovu. At the same event, Mr Khumbulani Maphosa, a prominent activist, pleaded with women to empower each other and fight for their rights. The role of women in the society has been underestimated and this has resulted in gender inequality. Women’s rights to freedom of expression are not recognized compared to men. Women were therefore urged to fight for their rights and be in control of their future. Maphosa gave examples of strong women like Miriam Makheba and Dorothy Masuku who fought for people’s rights through songs. “Fight for what is right and you will get support from the right people”, said Maphosa “Women are underestimated and expected to bear children and look after houses, said Patricia Tshabalala, a Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) member and Mpopoma resident. Men and women need to work together to build a society in which every member has the opportunity to strive. It is a common misconception that people think women’s liberation is a man-hating movement. In reality, it is all about equality.          

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Community Outreach program

BVTA took part in the Community Outreach Expo on Constitutionalism at the City Hall car park, on the 20th of September, 2019. The outreach program was organised by Women Institute for leadership Development (WIlD).  Other organisations on site were Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), Emthonjeni Women’s Forum, Masakhaneni Trust, Trinity Project, Reaching Out Charity Organisation (ROCO), Zimbabwe National Family Planning Centre, Southern Western Region Gender Network and Christian Legal Society (CLS). 

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