Bulawayo City Council Redesigns Egodini Vending Bays After Trader Complaints

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is redesigning the vending bays at the Egodini terminus in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in response to complaints from informal traders that the existing bays are not user-friendly and too small. Bulawayo mayor David Coltart announced that the council has already opened phase 1A of the redesign and is preparing to move to phase 1B, which will provide improved sanitation facilities, access to water, and enhanced security for the vendors.

Coltart acknowledged that the vending bays constructed under phase 1A did not provide a conducive working environment for the traders. "We have listened to the concerns raised by the informal traders about the vending bays in phase 1A," Coltart stated. "The council is committed to creating a space that meets the needs of the vendors and provides them with the necessary amenities to operate their businesses effectively."

The Egodini terminus had been closed for eight years to pave the way for a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation project. In 2016, the council entered into an agreement with Terracotta to redesign the Basch Street terminus into a multi-purpose mall at an estimated cost of US$60 million. However, progress on the project has been slow, leading to frustration among traders who have been displaced from the area.

The local authority also stood its ground against reports that Zanu PF space barons had attempted to grab the vending bays at Egodini and allocate them to party activists. Coltart emphasized that the allocation of vending bays will be done in a transparent and fair manner, prioritizing the needs of the informal traders who have been affected by the closure of the terminus.

Why this matters: The redesign of the Egodini vending bays is a significant step towards addressing the concerns of informal traders in Bulawayo. By providing improved facilities and security, the council aims to create a more conducive environment for small businesses to thrive, contributing to the economic growth of the city.

The Bulawayo City Council's decision to redesign the Egodini vending bays comes as a relief to the informal traders who have been struggling to operate in the current conditions. "We are happy that the council has listened to our concerns and is taking action to improve the vending bays," said Mary Ndlovu, a vendor at Egodini. "We look forward to having a space that is safe, clean, and allows us to run our businesses effectively."

Key Takeaways

• BCC redesigning Egodini vending bays to address trader complaints.
• Phase 1A bays deemed inadequate, Phase 1B to improve facilities.
• Egodini terminus closed for 8 years for $60M rehabilitation project.
• BCC denies Zanu PF activists' attempts to grab vending bays.
• Redesign aims to create conducive environment for informal traders.