Shelter for hawkers in the trade storm
"The project was funded at an estimated R1-million, " said Matthew Shunmugam, Chairperson of the Portfolio Standing Committee of Development Planning and Human Settlements.
For many years, hawkers at Jordan Park have been trying to make a living among the hustle and bustle of the CBD.
New hope emerged for them in June 2015, as the Department of Development Planning and Human Settlements consulted the hawkers’ association and stakeholders of the centre and intervened to erect secure shelters.
“The project was funded at an estimated R1-million, ” said Matthew Shunmugam, Chairperson of the Portfolio Standing Committee of Development Planning and Human Settlements.
As the hawkers grew in number, there was insufficient place and business spilled over to the parking bays.
“This caused congestion among the traffic which pass through here,” said Cllr Shunmugam.
Business owners in the area said hawkers in the parking area complicated the delivery of merchandise by trucks.
“We as a municipality understand the attraction of business sales this place possesses. We wanted to provide a conducive environment for hawkers to trade,” said Cllr Shunmugam.
The Department of Development Planning and Human Settlements stepped in and re-assessed the design of the shelters.
“By providing a designated area for hawkers to trade, it has freed up a lot of the previously obstructed parking bays. This refurbishment has also created more employment and alleviated poverty to an extent,” concluded Cllr Shunmugam.
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