LOCAL Small Business Association Chairperson Bhekisile Dlamini has heaped praise on the City of uMhlathuze for looking after the welfare of informal traders.
Dlamini was speaking at the Informal Sector Economy Dialogue event held last week at Empangeni’s Civic Centre.
The dialogue, aimed at addressing challenges faced by informal traders in Empangeni and surrounding areas, was convened by the Department of Small Business Development, the Department of Labour, Department of Higher Education and the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
‘We still do have challenges as some of our members are still operating in open areas where they are exposed to the elements, but we cannot turn a blind eye to what the municipality has done for us.
City Mayor Mdu Mhlongo said informal traders were close to their hearts and they will do anything possible to keep them happy.
‘Through this dialogue we intend uplifting the informal economy and creating pathways to formalisation.
‘To demonstrate our commitment as a city we have allocated about R7-million for the development of market stalls at the Lot 63 taxi rank.
‘Added to that we have allocated about R5-million for the development of the SMME Park in Richards Bay.
‘This we will do with an aim of developing our city while creating employment for our people. However our plea is that those facilities we are providing must be well looked after,’ he said.
Supporting the initiative was KZN MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Sihle Zikalala, who said many informal traders were there to support their families rather than making huge profits – and many were women.
‘We need to empower them with knowledge to better develop themselves and seize other business opportunities. They must also be protected from exploitation.’
The dialogue was also addressed by the Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant, who said it was imperative for informal traders to know their rights and how to protect themselves.
‘Our view as a department is that there must be a social protection programme, but that programme will require you to also contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund and Compensation Fund.’
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