Ground-Up Perspective on Informal Trade from South African Informal Trader Organisations Webinar held on the 30th June 2020

 

The Cities Support Programme in partnership with the World Bank Group convened a session focused on the enabling policies and regulations required to support informal trade on the 30th June 2020. 

 

The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused great disruption to the conventional norms of work, living and movement of people.  Restrictions on movements and economic activities, imposed as part of the country's Lockdown Regulations, have had a severe impact on the informal sector.  This webinar sought to solicit inputs from informal trader organisations, sector and global experts and South African government representatives, to explore policy recommendations and regulations in support of informal trade.

 

Panelists that participated in the event included:

  • Phumzile Xulu from the South African Informal Worker Association
  • Brian Phalooh from the South African Informal Traders' Forum
  • Rosheda Muller from the South African Informal Traders' Alliance
  • Gog' Lulama Mali from the Joburg Informal Traders' Platform
  • Sthembiso Garane from the City of Ekurhuleni
  • Thulani Nzama from the Ethekwini Metro

The webinar highlighted the need for cities to shift from a focus on law enforcement to recognising and supporting the informal sector in performing its significant social and economic role.  The importance of collaboration between the sector and local government was highlighted and the need to build capabilities within both to enable this.  The range of instruments that cities have at their disposal to enable the informal economy was highlighted, including: service delivery, licensing, access to land and buildings, supportive services such as storage and access to child care; management of informal trader spaces; and facilitating digital access.  Cities also had an immediate role in assisting informal traders address health and safety issues related to Covid-19.

 

 

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For further information contact:

 

Karen Harrison: CSP-NT

Karen.Harrison@treasury.gov.za