On Saturday, 13 June 2020, I, together with Dr Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Ward 46 Councillor, Aslam Cassim and officials of the Urban Management Directorate, conducted an in-loco inspection and walkabout in the Gatesville area.
This visit was prompted by concerns that were raised regarding the risk of exposure to COVID-19 as a result of the close proximity of the informal traders to each other, and the conduct and procedures of formal businesses and consumers.
For some time, there have been discussions about reviewing the informal trading plan for the area, but due to the lack of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent action is needed to address these concerns as a matter of urgency.
The Area Economic Development (AED) officials are currently putting proposals together, which will be informed by the in-loco inspection, after which the City will present the proposal to all stakeholders, including the civic associations, informal traders, formal businesses and other stakeholders for their inputs and ideas.
Among the draft proposals to the revised trading plan is the following:
- 1. Converting the area to a weekend market. (This will help in terms of place making as the market can be branded and marketed properly)
- Convert to bigger bays instead of the normal 2X2 square meters to make sure that we better cater for the needs of the traders with specific reference to fruit and vegetable traders
- Trading is removed from the front of the formal shops into the car park. This should reduce the ongoing challenges being experienced between traders, formal businesses and pedestrians and also contribute to reducing congestion in the area.