Informal traders in Cosmo City received practical guidance on how to grow and formalise their businesses at an educational workshop held at the Cosmo City Multi-Purpose Community Centre.

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The session, which fell under Ward 100, brought together five city departments, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the department of economic development (DED), emergency medical services (EMS), environmental health, and the city’s revenue and utility management division.

Traders were walked through a range of topics designed to help them operate legally, safely, and sustainably. Representatives from the Isiqalo Opportunity Centre, in Region C, spoke about business registration and the support available to traders looking to formalise their operations. Attendees also received information on how to apply for informal trading permits and navigate the city’s permit system.

Food handling standards for informal traders formed part of the programme, with environmental health officials outlining the requirements traders must meet when preparing and selling food to the public.

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Safety was another key focus. Traders were advised on how to handle gas safely, implement fire safety measures, and meet EMS compliance requirements at their trading premises.

JMPD officers rounded off the presentations with a session on by-law enforcement, covering what constitutes illegal trading and which practices traders must avoid to stay on the right side of the law.

City officials said the workshops are part of a broader effort to empower informal traders with the knowledge they need to grow their businesses within the city’s compliance frameworks.

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