Problems and Purpose

Bulawayo's outdoor market faces issues like inadequate sanitation, lack of proper water supply, and minimal oversight regarding food safety. These challenges pose significant health risks to both vendors and consumers, and there is a growing need for structured management and intervention to improve market conditions.

Background History and Context

Safe market spaces are crucial for the well-being and economic stability of vendors and traders in Bulawayo. These spaces provide a secure and hygienic environment where businesses can thrive, protecting livelihoods and enhancing community health. In recent years, the Bulawayo City Council, in partnership with organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and various non-profits, has undertaken initiatives to develop and maintain safe market spaces in the city. Through these initiatives, markets such as the Highlanders and Nkulumane Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market have transformed into hubs of economic activity and safety, fostering a better environment for all stakeholders.

Initiatives for Improvement

In response to challenges brought about by unsafe markets, initiatives began to emerge focused on improving the safety and hygiene of market environments. Organizations such as the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) played a pivotal role in advocating for better conditions. These initiatives aimed to address the following key areas:

Environmental Hygiene: Efforts were made to ensure that markets adhered to proper waste management practices, adequate water supply, and sanitation facilities. The focus was on reducing contamination and maintaining clean spaces for food handling and sales

Collaboration with Authorities: Partnerships between market associations, local authorities, and international organizations were crucial in driving improvements. By working together, these entities could implement market surveillance and enforce safety regulations to protect vendors and consumers.

The Nkulumane Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market

The Nkulumane Market is nearing completion and is being developed as a collaborative effort between the Bulawayo City Council, Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA), Dan Church Aid, and UNDP Zimbabwe. This initiative is part of the "Building Urban Resilience in Zimbabwe through Safe Markets and Green Solutions" program led by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. The market aims to provide a secure and accessible space for informal traders and the public to buy and sell vegetables within their localities, reducing the need to travel to the city center.

Additionally, the city of Bulawayo is working on creating an adaptable allocation model to ensure fair access to the market, eliminating the influence of space barons. By offering this centralized location, the Nkulumane Market supports local vendors and traders, providing a safer environment for commerce and promoting the growth of local farming communities.

To get a deeper understanding on the initiatives to improve market safety for informal vendors, we spoke with Michael Ndiweni, Director of Bulwayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA). He shared his views on the journey to establishing safe and inclusive markets.

Below is an excerpt from our conversation, where Michael discusses the key highlights of the journey.

Q: How does BVTA ensure the sustainability of its safe market initiatives in the long run?

A: BVTA focuses on building the capacities of the beneficiaries to explore green solutions in their activities. This includes finding ways to enhance their income and explore green innovations. To support this, BVTA introduces green skills as a course, aiming to make the market a demonstration site for green solutions. By integrating young people and encouraging even older farmers to adopt futuristic solutions, BVTA ensures the long-term sustainability of safe market initiatives.

Q: What feedback have you received from beneficiaries in terms of improvements in market safety and hygiene?**

A: The feedback highlights that more needs to be done in terms of sanitation. The current facilities are inadequate, with an imbalanced ratio of people to toilets, sometimes with over 1,000 people using a single toilet. This situation calls for both infrastructural improvements and a mindset change among users to be good stewards of the facilities. There are also suggestions to complement toilets with water solutions like poly tanks (Jojo tanks). Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of gender-sensitive facilities, such as sanitary dispensers and flat beds for changing children’s diapers. There's also a need for showers for vendors and washing basins for cleaning fruits and vegetables.

Q: How has the development of the Nkulumane Market contributed to BVTA’s mission, and what are the plans for similar projects?**

A: The Nkulumane Market serves as a learning hub for farmers and members, providing trading spaces for vendors. It also contributes to revenue generation, with 70% of the revenue going to the Bulawayo City Council and 30% to BVTA. This setup not only supports BVTA’s mission but also ensures that the market serves as a sustainable model for similar future projects.

The improvement of market safety will see a more inclusive informal economy where vendors and traders are able to conduct their operations without being deprived of basic ammenities. In the future, BVTA is hopeful that this will be implemented throughout the rest of the country.