Metro checks in with Atteridgeville street traders following new by-law approval
The new by-law aims to boost the township and informal economy, giving priority to South African traders while ensuring safer, compliant trading spaces for street vendors, spazas, and mobile businesses.
The Section 79 Committee on Economic and Spatial Planning recently conducted an inspection in Atteridgeville, Vergenoeg, to engage directly with street vendors operating in the area and to assess the condition and compliance of building structures.
The inspection was led by Councillor Joel Masilela, accompanied by MMC Sarah Mabotsa.
“During the visit, the committee identified unregistered street vendors and evaluated the safety and suitability of informal and formal structures used for trading. Street vendors were assisted with guidance on registration processes and informed about municipal compliance requirements,” Mabotsa said.
The aim was to ensure safe, compliant trading environments while supporting inclusive and sustainable local economic development.
The visit came after Mabotsa’s announcement that Tshwane’s informal economy has grown by 33% in just one year, creating 57 000 new jobs. This is as the city moves to strengthen township and informal businesses through a newly approved by-law that prioritises South African citizens.
At the final council meeting of 2025, a new by-law was passed to actively support and grow the informal and township economies.
Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) data shows that between September 2024 and September 2025, participation in Tshwane’s informal economy increased from 174 000 to 231 000 people, adding 57 000 jobs in one year.
The newly approved Informal Trade and Township Economy by-law allows the metro’s informal traders the allocation of limited informal trading opportunities to South African citizens, in line with the South African Constitution and relevant court findings.
Section 9.6 of the by-law provides for preferential allocation where trading spaces are limited, in accordance with Section 9(2) of the Constitution, to advance those historically disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.
The by-law also expands recognition beyond street trading to include spaza shops, home-based enterprises, township businesses, traders in malls and flea markets, mobile and roving traders, and businesses operating from stalls and containers.
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