Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
ONCE a quiet and almost forgotten corner of Bulawayo, the Bhaktas vending bays have slowly come back to life. What used to be an empty and avoided space is now filled with people, movement and business. The change has not been sudden, but it is clear — the place now feels alive again, driven by the steady flow of public transport and traders looking for better opportunities.
The bays, located along Lobengula Street and Second Avenue in the city centre, are now busy throughout the day. Long-distance buses move in and out, carrying passengers travelling to places like Victoria Falls, Binga and Lupane. Commuter omnibuses add to the traffic, picking up and dropping off people. Around them, vendors line up with their goods, calling out to customers and trying to make a living. It is now a place full of noise, colour and activity.
The increase in travellers has given the area new energy. For a long time, many traders avoided Bhaktas because there were not enough customers. Now, things have changed. With more people passing through, vendors are finding it worthwhile to set up their stalls there. The space is no longer seen as a poor business spot, but as one of opportunity.
For years, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has tried to ease congestion in the central business district by asking informal traders to move into proper vending bays. Even though the city has more than 10 000 such bays, many traders chose to remain in busy streets where they could easily find customers. Bhaktas was one of the places that struggled to attract them.
The Government also stepped in, raising concerns about the growth of street and night vending. Authorities warned that too many informal traders were affecting formal businesses that pay taxes and follow city rules. As a result, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works last year banned street and night vending, as well as the selling of second-hand clothes, in a bid to restore order and cleanliness in towns and cities.
A visit by the Zimpapers news crew yesterday showed just how much has changed at Bhaktas. The vending bays were full, with traders taking advantage of the steady flow of passengers. Some were selling food and drinks, while others offered groceries, clothes and small household items.
“When buses travelling to Binga, Insuza and Victoria Falls started operating from here, business improved significantly. More passengers mean more customers, especially for those selling food and drinks,” said Ms Linette Moyo, a vendor at the site.
She said the number of traders has grown quickly, rising from fewer than 15 last year to more than 40 or 50. This shows that more vendors are now willing to work from designated areas.
Bus operators have also seen the benefits. For them, having vendors nearby helps passengers get what they need before travelling.
“Passengers often do last-minute shopping before boarding buses and vendors here provide what they need, from groceries to clothing. It’s a win-win situation,” said Mr Elliot Nyumbu, a bus driver.
Even as business improves, there are still concerns about keeping the city clean and organised. In the past, illegal vending led to littering and poor sanitation in some areas.
“The minister (Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe), in his last visit to the city, directed us as council to remove all the illegal vendors from undesignated areas in the CBD. This was aimed at cleaning the city,” said Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo.
She also warned that some councillors who resisted these efforts were making it harder to restore order in the city.
At the same time, council has introduced measures such as banning pushcarts from the CBD to improve how vending operations are run.
Despite these challenges, what is happening at Bhaktas shows that change is possible. With the right mix of transport, space and people, even a place that was once ignored can become busy again. Today, Bhaktas is not just a vending site — it is a sign of how small improvements can bring life back into the city.
