Mondesa vendors get new market

THE new open market at the Swakopmund taxi-rank in Mondesa is an impressive facility which is certain to improve business and the livelihood of informal traders, but then ‘all the vendors must come trade there’.

Built by the Swakopmund Municipal Town Council at N$2,5 million, the centre boasts 36 open selling spaces, eight open-air braai areas and 25 enclosed shops; all serviced with water, sewerage and electricity, and enclosed in a roofed circular structure.The fact that it is situated next to the local and long-distance taxi rank is also an important element seeing that hundreds of people daily have to pass by there to ‘catch a ride’ – or so is the impression.A name for the open market still has to be decided, but Swakopmund Mayor, Germina Shitaleni said council would leave proposals up to the vendors.’The informal trading sector plays an important role in any economy as it contributes to the creation of jobs and the alleviation of poverty. This sector also has the potential to expand a town’s economic base,’ Shitaleni said at the official opening recently.According to her, the informal sector is the ‘engine of any economy’ and produces upcoming entrepreneurs while nurturing self-employment initiatives.Said Erongo Governor, Samuel Nuuyoma: ‘The establishment of this market is just another example of how we are giving opportunities to people who are unemployed but who have the need to generate their own funds to take care of their families.’The only problem is that most vendors trading at the old market at the single quarters in Mondesa are not coming to the new facility. It’s a vicious circle. The ‘old vendors’ say they want business, and business comes from the long distance taxies that stop there. The taxi-drivers say they stop at the old market because that’s where the traders are.According to Lucia Stephanus, Secretary of the Vendors’ Committee, this is ‘dividing the market’, and taking away the business potential of the new facility.’All the vendors at the old market should relocate to the new facility, and then all the long distance taxies will come and stop there at the official taxi rank. Then we all will get business,’ she told The Namibian.The ‘new vendors’ suggested that the ‘old vendors’ are given a month by the municipality to relocate, and if not, the (the old vendors) should be penalized, hence forcing them to move as they cannot afford a financial loss due to penalties.Meat, fish, vegetables and fruit (as good as any other shop), as well as clothes and other products are being sold relatively cheaper there, so Swakopmunders and visitors should support the vendors. Just because it’s an open market in Mondesa and next to a taxi rank, does not mean its sub-standard.Besides, apart from having a place to trade, operators there will also receive training to promote success, sustainability and profitability, including hygiene and food handling.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.