POLOKWANE – The hawkers who were trading in front of Good Hope Primary School on the corner of Buys and Ben Harris Street in Westenburg were removed by the municipality recently.
The school principal, Cindy Buys, said she had been battling to remove the hawkers from the school premises for a very long time.
“Thank you Review, because without your help we would still be battling with the hawkers in front of the school. I asked the ward councillor for help and addressed several letters to the municipality requesting that they remove the hawkers, but nothing was done. Now they are gone after the article appeared in the newspaper,” Buys said.
Buys added that she understands that the hawkers sell goods for an income, but it is not safe for the children with the hawkers who sell in front of the schoolyard.
Some of the concerns Buys listed:
• The hawkers do not have any permits to sell in front of the school premises.
• The food items sold are not of good quality and not fit for children’s consumption and severely interfere with the department of education’s National Nutrition Programme.
• Their location poses some serious safety problems for the learners, because learners do not cross the road at designated areas.
• The school experiences disciplinary pro-blems because learners will still buy goods even after the bell rang for the day to start.
• Littering is also a major concern because the hawkers do not clean the surrounding after selling.
“Now that the hawkers are gone these problems will no longer be an issue at the school,” Buys said.
The hawkers who were removed from their selling points are angry and said that the principal is spiteful and takes food from their children’s mouths.
“Where are we suppose to sell our goods? We have no other income and work is scarce. What must we do to get a permit and where can we sell our goods,” the hawkers asked.
Tidimalo Chuene, a municipal spokesperson said, any person could apply for a hawker’s permit. “Any person who intends to conduct business as a street trader may apply to the municipality for a permit. A hawker’s permit is valid for a month.
Hawker’s permit fees:
• Accessories: belts, bags, hair products, gloves, cosmetics and toys – R34 in the township and R80 in the city.
• Herbal products – R34 in the township and R80 in the city.
• Newspapers and sweets – R12 in the township and R34 in the city.
• Public phones, airtime and snacks – R56 in the township and R80 in the city.
• Fruits and vegetables – R34 in the township and R56 in the city.
• Mobile hawkers: ice cream, cool drinks and nuts – R12 in the township and R34 in the city.
