Adolf Kaure

Windhoek mayor Sakaria Uunona said the City of Windhoek (CoW) municipal council has provided a solution for vendors following their strike in February.

Speaking at City’s latest ordinary council meeting, he said that, through the department of economic development and community services, the municipal council has made more than 150 properly demarcated and serviced trading stalls available for informal vendors at the Havana 4-Way relocation area.

“These facilities were established to provide traders with a safer, more structured and more sustainable operating environment,” he said.

The mayor also acknowledged that some vendors remain hesitant to relocate. 

However, he maintained that the City has a duty to ensure that all trading activities take place within designated and regulated areas.

 “This is essential not only for maintaining public order and safety but also for ensuring fairness, accessibility and compliance with municipal by-laws. It places strain on service delivery, undermines lawful traders and contributes to tension between the City of Windhoek and residents. We must, therefore, be clear that sustainable economic opportunity cannot exist without order and adherence to agreed frameworks,” Uunona added.

He reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the informal business community.

In recent months, informal vendors have voiced their discontent about the businesses coming to a standstill after being forced to leave their spot near Shoprite in the central business district.

The eviction followed repeated warnings from the police for vendors to leave the area and find alternative places to trade legally.

The orders were issued about three weeks ago. 

However, traders refused to move, saying there are no other suitable places in the central business district where they can make enough money. 

When the City of Windhoek was originally designed, informal trading was not adequately catered for.

City spokesperson Harold Akwenye said municipality is currently addressing the challenge of catering for informal vendors by providing more designated trading areas for them.

This will be executed through the City’s implementation of the Market Development Masterplan, which identifies suitable areas where informal trading may be accommodated.

– akaure@nepc.com.na