Update: Support local art talent on Leeuwkop Road in Sunninghill
SUNNINGHILL – Giraffes, proteas and flamingoes are among the art pieces residents can purchase from a budding entrepreneur on Leeuwkop Road near the K60 in Sunninghill.
Artist and entrepreneur, Robert Singano, has impressed residents with his creative works which he sells on Leeuwkop Road in Sunninghill.
At least one Sunninghill resident approached Fourways Review to rave about Singano’s creative work and professionalism, in the hopes that other community members will support this local talent.
Singano, who is the breadwinner of his family, described how his inspirational journey began.
“I started doing these art pieces back in 2008 as I learnt from my father who was the only breadwinner and has now passed away. He taught me this at the tender age of 15 and now I have taken over the business,” Singano said.
Think giraffes, proteas and flamingoes made from beads and wire: These are just some of the delights Singano creates.
The passionate art-maker currently lives in Johannesburg CBD, however, decided to do his business in Sunninghill as he noticed that there was a client-base in the area. “I travel from the CBD every day to come here at this corner in order to sell my art pieces. I do, however, have a storage room at the back of the shopping centre which helps a lot in keeping my art pieces.”
He explained that to make a small art piece took about two days to complete and priced at R50. “My art pieces vary from sizes small to large. So the small ones range from R50 and the big ones from R150 to R250.”
Singano is just one of the many budding entrepreneurs in the city who etch out a living for themselves.
Metro police spokesperson, Edna Mamonyane, sympathised that due to the high unemployment rate in the country, it was understandable that people sell perishables and non-perishables on the side of the street.
However, she cautioned permission to sell on a street was required.
“It is important for people to engage with the City and Metro police with regard to selling their items on the street. It is always good that we see which hawkers are selling where, in a certain area.
“It is advisable for people to get a permit so that they can show it to the Metro police officers when they do their regular rounds in the area.”
Singano is currently in the process of applying for a permit.
According to the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Informal Trading Bylaws in the Provincial Gazette on the City of Joburg website, published on 14 March 2012, this is how one can go about the process:
“Lease and allocation of stands:
(1) Any person who intends to carry on a business as Informal Trader in terms of the provisions of this By-Law may apply to the Council in the Prescribed manner for a lease or allocation of a stand in terms of section 6A(3)(c) of the Act.
(2) The Council may . grant subject ·to conditions, or refuse, an application referred to in subsection (1).
(3) If such application Is successful – 8 106 No. 66
(a) an Informal Trader must enter into a lease agreement with the
Council in respect of such stand, which lease agreement must be produced at the request of an Authorised Official;
(b) in respect of the allocation, as well as the lease of a stand a token
shall be issued to an Informal trader as proof of an Informal
Trader’s rights to occupy the stand for the purpose of conducting Informal Trading;
(c) an Informal Trader must, at all times while carrying on business on the stand or public space, retain such token on his/her person ready for display to an Authorised Official, if requested; and
(d) the Council may, on the written request of an Informal Trader, issue a token to a bona fide employee of the Informal Trader.
(4) Any person who carries on Informal Trading on a stand or Public Place and who, without a reasonable explanation, is unable to produce a valid lease agreement or token as envisaged in subsection (3) above, shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) Any person who carries on Informal Trading on a stand or Public Place and
who, without a reasonable explanation, fails to comply with the terms and
conditions of the lease agreement shall be guilty of an offence.”
Details: Contact the City of Joburg’s general queries line on 0860 562 874 for more information.
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