Street trading in South Africa : an investigation with the emphasis on the policies of major local authorities towards street trading

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Informal street trading is an aspect with which South Africa's ever growingcities need to cope. Since the earliest times, trade has played an important role increating livelihoods for many people. In today's society - characterised byunemployment and underdevelopment - informal street traders have recognisedthat there is a gap in the market, and thus, by plying their trade they created asustainable livelihood for themselves. It has to be admitted that town planningover the years neglected the role of the informal street trader, and not much wasdone by way of creating a city sphere to accommodate the street trader.In chapter two of this study the discussion addresses the historical role andactivities of the informal street trader, and surveys aspects of legislation andracism that played a prominent role in previous times. Authorities did not regardinformal trading in a positive light and many harsh steps were taken againststreet traders. This provides one of the reasons why no latitude was granted toinformal street trading and why South Africa's existing efforts to accommodateinformal street trade could at best be described as dismal.In chapter three the role and extent of informal trading in the economy isdiscussed. A study was made of the possible reasons why the informal streettrade has emerged, and the contribution of the informal trade towards SouthAfrica's Gross Domestic Product, is also dealt with. Today informal street tradeis viewed as one of the ways by means of which to alleviate South Africa'sexisting employment crisis and accommodation of the informal street trade isseen as a top priority.When considering the phenomenon of informal street trading, it is impossible toignore the people who are involved in this sector. They have created not onlyjobs for themselves, but a sustainable way of living. Chapter four attends to thecharacteristics of the informal street trader and also addresses the problems andchallenges that these people have to face. Addressing these problems orchallenges is not an easy task, and one of-the major problems in this respect hasbeen the question of legislation. Informal street trading needs to be directedthrough laws and policies, aimed at addressing traders' needs and which areproactive in creating a positive trading environment. In chapters five and six thelegislation and regulation of informal street trading in three of South Africa'smajor metropolitan cities - Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban - arereported. Chapter seven contains the conclusions of the study, followed by somepolicy recommendations. These are based on the findings made in the study oninformal street trading, and could possibly enhance the proactive control anddevelopment of informal street trading.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University