City commemorates Women’s Month with summit for traders

The women’s directorate in the City of Ekurhuleni celebrated Women’s Month by hosting an informal trader’s summit at Rabasotho Community Centre on August 14.

The event focused on bringing women in business together.

A focus was placed on informal traders who do not have papers to operate legally.

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The purpose of the event was to educate traders on by-laws for informal traders which are essential as food is regulated regularly.

The event saw community members receive vital information on trading permits, processes to follow when operating such businesses as well as financial planning.

Nomadlozi Nkosi, MMC for Developmental Planning and Real Estate, said the event will help women and allow them to trade freely.

“We have realised that Thembisa is a big area where women live off informal trading. Women take care of families through trading but the only concern is that they do not comply with regulations when doing so.

“I am proud when I see women taking a stand and fending for themselves, it is truly inspirational.

“We chose to lend a helping hand to these women by raising awareness on how they can continue with their services legally.

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“We chose to unite them in celebration of Women’s Month and provide them with guidance to ensure that their trading purposes align with the guidelines of the CoE as we always regulate anything that happens in the area.

“We wish to see these women take charge of their businesses fully without being on the wrong side of the law.

“They wake up early to prepare and ensure that everything runs smoothly. That is why we need to stand with them to help them.

“It is unfortunate that in Thembisa there are only a few people who comply with the regulations of the CoE, ultimately this can hinder their success.

“We want these women to be regulators of their businesses,” she said.