THE sad tale of evicted traders at one of the city’s old markets has seeped directly into the lives of those evicted in 2020, changing the state of their livelihoods upside down forever. One family has seen the eviction clause rip their life apart.

Yacoob and Jayshree Ibrahim from Phoenix share the anguish of how the forced eviction from the Stables Market disfigured their life. They were proud stallholders on N Block since 2006 until the dark year of eviction in 2020. Their small yet rewarding business thrived, selling perfumes and beauty products every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

“It was the best 14 years of trading, after we were removed from the Point Waterfront market. Trading here was our sole income. We were able to take care of our family, medical expenses, household utilities, school and so forth. The income was steady and reliable, and the stall rent was affordable,” shared the Ibrahims.

A dark cloud befell them in 2017, when Yacoob was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Then, the family was able to afford proper medical care until 2020, when their income was abruptly cut through evictions.
“After that, I could not afford treatment, so we had to cancel our medical aid. And this meant relying on general doctors for short-term treatments. I have not done CT scans and ultrasound, to determine the severity and proper treatment.
“My health deteriorated, the cancer affected my vocal chords, and body pains became my friend. I have not seen an oncologist since then; therefore, at this point, I have no idea how the cancer has progressed because there are no regular check-ups and monitoring as there should be,” added Yacoob.

Also read: The Stables Market: Evicted traders pray for return

The Ibrahims have not reached the pension age yet, and this makes it difficult for them to make ends meet. Their children would assist in some ways but they said that coping is difficult.
Jayshree recalled, “The Stables Market was a vibe, where everyone’s heart was content. We made friends over the years, who in turn became family because of the solid bonds we created. It was not just a place of business. Children were often seen buzzing and happy, while patrons enjoyed a variety of affordable shopping.”
The family pleads with the powers that be to bring back their source of income. They have faith that their livelihood will be restored one day.

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