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On the 30th September 2025, Elundini Local Municipality Mayor, Her Worship Mamello Leteba, officially handed over 10 newly built street trader stalls to hawkers in Ugie. This brings the total number of stalls in the town to 22, replacing makeshift wooden structures and cardboard shelters that traders previously used. The initiative is part of the municipality’s ongoing programme to formalise street trading and support the informal economy.
What Happened
The newly provided stalls aim to improve working conditions for local hawkers, many of whom operate under harsh weather conditions with limited resources. By introducing safer and more durable trading spaces, the municipality seeks to uplift informal traders while enhancing the town’s appearance.
The Street Trading Formalisation Programme has six key focus areas:
- Developing a database of all existing street traders in Elundini towns.
- Organising traders into associations or committees.
- Providing business support, training, and advice in partnership with government.
- Introducing a permit system for regulated trading.
- Demarcating trading plots and designating “no trading zones.”
- Providing formal infrastructure such as stalls, caravans, and steel containers.
Official Response
Mayor Leteba praised the hawkers for their resilience and emphasized the importance of supporting the informal economy. “The informal sector plays a vital role in employment creation and poverty reduction. By investing in proper infrastructure, we are ensuring that our traders work in dignity and safety,” she said.
Municipal officials from the Planning and Economic Development Department added that more towns within Elundini would benefit from similar projects as part of the broader strategy to formalise street trading.
Community Impact
For Ugie hawkers, the new stalls provide relief from extreme heat, rain, and wind, allowing them to conduct business under improved conditions. Residents welcomed the move, noting that the new stalls not only protect traders but also contribute to a cleaner and more organised town environment.
Traders expressed gratitude for the support, saying the stalls give them renewed confidence to grow their small businesses and better serve their customers.
FAQ
Q: Who received the new trading stalls?
A: Ugie hawkers in Elundini Local Municipality.
Q: How many stalls are now available?
A: A total of 22, including the old ones.
Q: Why is this important?
A: The stalls protect traders from harsh weather and support the municipality’s efforts to formalise the informal economy.
