As the sun rises over Harare’s bustling Copacabana bus terminus, the vibrant yet challenging daily lives of street vendors unfold. Vongai Machache, a 36-year-old vendor with a resilient face, arranges her ripe tomatoes and vegetables, their aroma mingling with the less pleasant scents emanating from nearby public toilets. This area, known for its heavy foot traffic, is a critical yet challenging spot for vendors like Machache who navigate the complexities of urban vending.
Every day, Machache and her fellow vendors face the dilemma of securing a safe and legal spot to sell their goods while contending with the harsh realities of city policies and space constraints. The Copacabana area, along with other designated spots like the Charge Office, Market Square, and Fourth Street bus termini, are preferred by many vendors for their relative security from council police interference. However, these areas come with their own set of challenges, notably the proximity to unhygienic conditions which vendors reluctantly tolerate to maintain their livelihoods.
Machache’s struggle intensifies at the end of each day when she must find a way to secure her unsold stock. Unable to transport her heavy load back to her home in Mabvuku due to cost and practicality, she resorts to hiding her perishable goods in or near the public toilets using large black plastic bags as makeshift protection. This desperate measure underscores the broader issue faced by many vendors who lack access to adequate storage facilities.
The stench and unsanitary conditions near these storage spots pose health risks, not only to the vendors but also to their customers, many of whom are unaware of the storage conditions. Despite these adversities, the vendors’ resilience is evident as they return each morning to retrieve their goods and prepare for another day of trade.
Stanley Gama, a council spokesperson, acknowledges the challenges and admits to past efforts to clear out vendors storing goods in such conditions. However, he notes the city’s struggle with manpower and resources to manage and support the approximately 100,000 registered (and many more unregistered) vendors across Harare.
The city’s vending crisis reflects a national issue exacerbated by economic difficulties, leading to an overwhelming number of people turning to street vending as a survival strategy. This situation is further complicated by insufficient legal vending zones and the city council’s limited capacity to enforce regulations effectively.
Samuel Wadzai from the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation highlights the recurring promises from the Harare City Council to establish designated vending zones which have yet to materialize fully. The ongoing dialogue about creating these zones points to a recognition of the need for structured support for vendors but shows little in the way of concrete action.
In the backdrop of this urban tapestry, individual stories of vendors like Kudakwashe Mbeu illustrate the ingenuity and compromises involved in street vending. Mbeu, known for his vibrant display of apples near the Market Square bus terminus, faces his own set of challenges, such as sourcing clean water for washing his fruits, a basic yet crucial aspect of his business that highlights the infrastructural deficits within the vending locations.
Veteran talk show host Rebbeca Chisamba comments on the ethical considerations of vending under such conditions, emphasizing the need for both vendors and customers to prioritize hygiene to prevent health crises like cholera, which remain a potent threat under current conditions.
Despite the grim realities, there is a glimmer of hope as organizations and the city council discuss measures to improve conditions for vendors. Plans to establish designated vending areas with proper sanitation facilities are underway, aiming to transform Harare’s streets into a safer and more vibrant marketplace.
This narrative of Harare’s street vendors reveals a complex blend of resilience, desperation, and ingenuity. It illustrates a community’s struggle to maintain dignity and sustainability in the face of overwhelming economic and environmental challenges. As Harare continues to grapple with these issues, the spirit of its street vendors stands as a testament to the enduring human capacity to adapt and persevere.
Source: Newsday
