Cape Town: Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially cut the ribbon on a major new informal trading infrastructure at the City’s Masiphumelele Gateway Market. There he was joined by the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth – Alderman James Vos.
The site will accommodate approximately 57 informal trading opportunities, that includes kiosks, food preparation areas, an office block, parking, public seating, and more. Five of the kiosks are also large enough to establish a light manufacturing small business.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis stated that they are thrilled to open this wonderful new traders’ market, which connects and serves the communities of Masiphumelele, Kommetjie, Ocean View and surroundings. For many years, this trading site has been an undignified trading space – messy, muddy, and without basic amenities for traders and customers alike.
Not to mention an eyesore. This is all now well and truly resolved, with a lovely, dignified trading market that brings dignity to traders and residents. This upgrade forms part of ongoing trading facility improvements across the city to the tune of over R400m in this term of office, said Mayor Lewis.
Construction of the market came after extensive engagements with both informal traders and community stakeholders. The first round of vendor applications is currently being processed, with trading set to begin this month.
Alderman James Vos said that they aim to provide safe, dignified and well-operated trading spaces. They make sure that the requirements of local traders, businesses and residents can be met.
Masiphumelele is one of several market trading projects, which the City of Cape Town has completed last year. Others are Bo-Kaap Market, the Wallacedene Container Market, Somerset West Trading Kiosks, Macassar Trading Structure, and the upgrade of the Happy Valley Uluntu Plaza Kiosk and Seaforth Trading, told Alderman Vos.
Further developments are under way at sites including the 4th Avenue Market in Mitchells Plain and Vuyani Public Transport Interchange. They are carefully proceeding with a considered approach for market developments and upgrades all over Cape Town.
These projects purposefully centre the various and specific needs of the different communities. While it simultaneously strengthens a network of traders, entrepreneurs and small businesses that fuel economic growth.