Small business must help accelerate Joburg growth

08 March 2017

 

The City of Johannesburg would work very hard to enhance the growth of small traders’ hubs such as the Kopanong Linear Market and Swazi Inn in Ivory Park in Region A, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Cllr Sharon Peetz said on Tuesday March 7.

 

Speaking during a tour of the region to meet and engage small traders, MMC Peetz said the City was serious about creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The R9-million Kopanong Linear Market has 49 containers, each of which will accommodate two vendors. The stalls are expected to be formally handed over to vendors in three months.

Cllr Peetz said the market would enhance the lives of the traders as they won’t need to move around with their wares. “We need to ensure that the vendors pay the City to trade here. The money they will pay will be ploughed back into this region.”

Swazi Inn is a trading place for a variety of businesses already in operation.

Cllr Peetz said such businesses should, however, operate within the confines of the law. “We have to find a way to legalise this trading so we can tap on and grow the entrepreneurial spirit.”

She said traders should work in an environment conducive to growth. She pointed out that it was crucial that traders operated their businesses in safe areas with good lighting, proper sanitation and refuse collection.

“The people here are creating their own jobs. If they become successful then they can employ one or two more people,” said Cllr Peetz.

She said it was her role to ensure that Johannesburg’s economy grew by at least 5% within the next five years and the unemployment rate decreased from 37% to 20%. She said the tour had given her an understanding of the issues that needed to be addressed.

Cllr Peetz added that her department planned to increase the number of SME hubs throughout the City from seven to 12 by the end of 2017.