Hope in sight for wire artists

WIRE artists who have been working and selling their art outside Woolworths in Bulwer Road since 2009, are being helped by the community to obtain a permit to trade legally.

According to one of the wire artists,Victor Mpofu, a police officer asked them to stop trading at the site on 18 December, following complaints by Woolworths management. Since then, the local community has rallied to their aid.

“We were told that the community don't want us here, but I am not sure this is true as we have traded here for many years. We were given permission by the owner of the building to be here, and we provide security and help to the community because of our presence here. We felt it was unfair, as the policeman only asked us to leave, not the others who trade here as well. We appealed to the community via Facebook and asked if it was true that they didn't want us here, and appealed for help as we depend on this as an income to provide for our families,” said Victor.

Following the appeal, Victor said Heather Rorick from Bulwer Community Safety Forum had come forward to try to organise a permit for the artists which would allow them to trade at this spot. Rorick told Berea Mail she was working on the issue, and would be attending meetings to finalise matters.

“We are so grateful to Heather and the community for their help,” said Victor.

In a statement to Berea Mail, Woolworths head office said Woolworths had no jurisdiction over the vendors and was in no position to support or oppose the presence of vendors outside the store.

“The local authorities are responsible for the licencing of traders. Some of our customers complain about the vendors, while others support them. This puts our store manager in a very difficult position. We did, however, act on numerous complaints from customers and informed local authorities about customer concerns. The authorities took the action they deemed appropriate.”

Ward councillor Nicole Graham, said it was a difficult situation.

“It appears these men have no trading licence and there is a moratorium on new ones for the Glenwood area at the moment. The men need help to apply for permits to be able to trade in the area,” she said.

Concerned resident, Shannon Moffett, said KZNSA had expressed interest in maybe allowing them to trade in their entrance, but that this needed to go through the council (KZNSA).

“They might not get as much passing customers there, however. What we would like to see is formal trading stalls set up in the Glenwood area, ideally on the corner opposite Woollies. Wouldn’t it be great buying your crafts and fruit and veg there, while at the same time supporting informal traders and creating jobs in our area. We hope to take this request to the Business Support Unit of the municipality sometime soon,” she said.