Hawkers’ market gets the green light

LEPHALALE – Plans to close Hendrik Pistorius street and construct permanent stalls for hawkers as part of a dedicated informal market area may finally become a reality as the municipality recently approved plans for the construction of stalls.
The project was initiated by the Pistorius Group five years ago. According to municipal manager, Bob Naidoo, the process took a long time because of “town planning issues”.
“The rezoning of Hendrik Pistorius Street, which is a public road, had to comply with the planning ordinances, but this has now been finalised,” he said.
According to Naidoo the project will cost around R3 million.
“Exxaro and the Pistorius Group have pledged R750 000 each and the municipality will sponsor the other R1.5-million.”
The construction of the hawker stalls have become priority as informal traders take up parking spaces at the taxi rank where Boxer is situated.
The Lephalale Hawkers Association met with the police, Pistorius Group and the municipality this week to try and resolve grievances from shop owners about the loss of parking space in front of their shops. 
Another pressing issue is the use of open fires by vendors who sell food in the parking area.
Northern News recently visited the site which is clearly marked with signs that prohibits open flames in an area where a fire could cause maximum damage and loss of life.
In Mokopane the local business chamber have been lobbying for a similar trade area for the last couple of years. Here hawkers set up shop on sidewalks in front of existing businesses.
Business owners complain that they loose thousands in revenue as patrons feel uncomfortable approaching their stalls on the overcrowded sidewalks.
During a recent meeting with Northern News, Mogalakwena municipal manager, William Kekana, conceded that this is a problem. He said the illegal hawking on sidewalks was high on the priority list as an issue that needs urgent attention.