The informal sector is a key contributor to Cape Town’s economy. It is for this reason that the City invested R1 million into the upgrade of the Khayelitsha Town Two Meat Market to make it a viable trading entity.
‘I am very pleased that today, we are handing over this upgraded space to the informal traders. We are grateful that what was initiated as a strategic move to improve the trading conditions of informal traders has finally come to fruition,’ said Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management.
It was due to the damaged perimeter fence in this trading area that incidents of vandalism increased. These improvements will contribute towards a community asset that supports and enhances local economic development in Khayelitsha.
‘Improving the trading conditions of this facility is also a positive step towards the regularisation of trading conditions in the area through a trading plan,’ said Alderman Twigg.
The upgrade included the repairs to the fence, gates, windows and doors. It also included plumbing upgrades, repair and restoration of paving as well as the painting of the internal and external walls.
The informal sector is a key contributor to Cape Town’s economy. Challenges to the physical, infrastructural, safety and operating conditions and standards have a direct impact on the viability of the informal sector.
‘Consumer experiences are also directly and adversely affected by deteriorating conditions. This upgrade will improve the trading conditions of the informal traders operating at the Town Two Meat Market and also ultimately improve customer experience. The traders now need to take ownership of this and make sure that it is well maintained as their livelihoods depend on it,’ said Alderman Twigg.