Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
A 12-member Bulawayo Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (BMSMEs) Apex board, whose mandate is to represent informal sector players in their engagement with authorities, including the City of Bulawayo, has been constituted.
The board is chaired by Mr Vincent Donga, who is deputised by Mr Percy Mcijo, while Mr Michael Ndiweni is the secretary.
Other members of the board include Mr Kwanele Nyathi (Treasurer), Ms Tholakele Mhlongo (lead for Women), Mr Gordon Dube (lead for lnformation, Innovation and Communication), Mr Timothy Rwizi (lead for Access to Decent Working Spaces), Mr Zibusiso Ndlovu (lead for Youths), Mr Calab Sengu (lead for Access to Markets), Mr Nkosilathi Dube (lead for People With Disabilities), Mr Memorial Dube (Security) and Ms Thoko Mudimba (lead for Legal Advocacy).
According to the latest copy of the Bulawayo City Council’s MasiyePhambili newsletter, the membership of the Apex Board is drawn from various informal sector organisations in the City and more than 500 informal traders attended the meeting that was held recently, with the tone set for the operations of informal sector players.
The formation of the board comes in the backdrop of the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, banning night vending and sell of second-hand clothing after intelligence revealed that drug peddlers were smuggling drugs and other illegal substances through the bales.
“The Provincial Development Officer, Mrs Glory Damba from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said the ministry was working with the City of Bulawayo to ensure that informal sector players operated in accordance with the law.
“One of the issues that has emerged is the disorder and chaos that is happening on 6th Avenue. We need to address this problem. Let’s operate from designated places as this also gives us room to grow. Our operations from illegal places are contributing to the City being dirty,” said Mrs Damba.
She said the Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube has noted with concern that some of the illegal vendors were defecating in the sanitary lanes, urging vendors to operate in a clean and dignified environment.
She said some of the vendors operating from undesignated areas were the litterbugs, which created a dent in the City’s image. Mrs Damba reaffirmed the Government’s position of banning second-hand clothing, saying they were contributing to the country’s de-industrialisation.
The informal traders who participated in the meeting concurred with Mrs Damba that some individuals who were purporting to be informal sector players were known to be peddling drugs.
She said the constitution of the informal sector Apex Board was expected to be a vehicle used to address challenges affecting vendors while assisting them to formalise their operations.
The Chairperson of the National Small and Medium Enterprises Advisory Council, Mr Dumisani Ncube, who was part of the meeting, said before the establishment of the Apex Board, the informal sector was represented by various associations, which in turn created discord in lobbying.
“As Bulawayo, we saw it fit that you have a single body that will represent you in addressing all your concerns. This is the leadership that will stand for you. All your issues should come through the structured channel and they will take up your issues to Government and Council. This Apex Board is derived from various informal sector bodies that operate in the City.
We want everyone in Bulawayo to be covered and also work with identified leaders,” said Mr Ncube.
He urged the informal sector players to join the national campaign in fighting the drugs and substance abuse scourge.
