Concerns over vendors’ shelters at Margate rank
EFF councillor Khethiwe Muthwa said in the maintenance aspect of the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality budget, informal traders at the Margate Taxi Rank need to be included.
Informal traders at the Margate Taxi Rank have to endure heavy rains to put food on the table because they do not have shelters to operate under.
This concern was raised by EFF councillor Khethiwe Muthwa at a recent Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) council meeting.
Muthwa was commenting on the final budget that was presented by the RNM mayor, Zodwa Mzindle.
She said it would be appreciated if the council re-examined the budget allocation for women in business.
“For a long time, women in business have been neglected. However, we also know that if you invest in a woman’s business, the community is taken care of. As the EFF caucus, we hope that more funds could be prioritised for women in business,” she said.
Muthwa said under the maintenance aspect of the budget, informal traders at the Margate Taxi Rank need to be included.
She said the vendors do not have shelters where they can operate their businesses from.
“When it rains, they have to work under those conditions because there is no other way that they can put food on their tables. Even when you enter the Margate Taxi Rank, there is dust all over the place. People who are selling food have no choice but to continue operating around the dust because that is the only place they make a honest living,” she said.
Mzindle said the municipality looks after women.
“Women in business are being taken care of by RNM. If you go to St Mike’s beach, you will see the shelters that were recently built by Ray Nkonyeni. Our mothers used to be victims of heavy rains there, but we assisted. We will eventually get to the vendors at the Margate Taxi Rank, if we work together as a municipality,” said Mzindle.
Meanwhile, RNM municipal manager Khetha Zulu said they noted the comments on the budget presentation, saying that, where possible they will cater for the recommendations when they do the adjustment budget.
“We have to have a look at implementing the first half of the budget, and with engagements with the councillors, we will make the necessary changes,” he said.
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