Kokstad’s informal traders gets multi-million rand economic boost
The informal sector was one of the hardest hit by Covid-19 and this initiative forms part of the efforts to boost the recovery of the informal sector.
The town of Kokstad saw the soft launch of the multi-million rand Informal Economy Infrastructure Development Initiative recently.
Through the initiative, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) seeks to provide suitable infrastructure for informal traders.
The infrastructure includes trading and storage infrastructure, water, electricity, and sanitation.
The informal sector was one of the hardest hit by Covid-19 and this initiative forms part of the efforts to boost the recovery of the informal sector.
In Kokstad the initiative will lead to the construction of 50 specialised informal trading stalls, the renovation of 20 trading stalls, and refurbishment of trading and toilet facilities at the main taxi rank.
In 2020/2021, a total of R14.5 million was allocated for the roll-out of the programme in Msunduzi, Kokstad, Okhahlamba and Umvoti.
In the current financial year, R24.5 million has been set aside for the rollout in Manguzi, Hlabisa, Scottburgh, Folweni, Newcastle and Emadlangeni.
Following the launch of this initiative in Kokstad, EDTEA MEC Ravi Pillay engaged with informal traders in the town.
The first engagement was at a small meeting with the traders. MEC Pillay then visited traders operating from stalls at the main taxi rank.
He heard of the challenges confronting the traders and heeded the call by Greater Kokstad Municipality Mayor Councilllor Bheki Mtolo who encouraged civil servants to buy from informal traders.
MEC Pillay stressed the importance of the informal economy saying it is one of the key sectors that the government is focusing its attention on as part of the economic reconstruction and transformation programme.
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