Informal traders within the Port St Johns Local Municipality still reeling from the recent floods that severely hit their businesses have welcomed government support.
This comes after the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), through its entity, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), recently handed over working equipment to informal traders.
The equipment handed over to qualifying enterprises was funded through ECDC’s Informal Business Support Programme (IBS).
The Department of Small Business Development also contributed towards the informal business support roll-out, which saw 60 informal traders from Port St Johns receive working equipment relevant to their enterprises.
“The recent floods had a devastating impact on us as informal traders. Those who trade within the town of Port St Johns had their stock and equipment, such as stoves and cutlery, washed away by the floods, so we welcome the timely intervention by the various government departments and their entities,” said PSJ Hawkers Association secretary, Nomaledi Mbadu.
Sewing machines and sewing materials, fridges, chainsaws, welding machines, grass trimming machines, electric and gas stoves, and a concrete mixing machine were some of the items handed over to traders.
Speaking at a similar equipment handover to traders under the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, ECDC regional manager, Mpumelelo Nobanda, said that the ISB programme was meant to help informal businesses transition into becoming formal businesses.
“The economy of the OR Tambo District is dominated by informal traders and the assistance we are providing through the ISB programme forms part of the endeavours to change that outlook, and ignite formal trade.”
The ISB programme, according to Nobanda, was specifically designed to support informal traders operating in the welding, clothing and textile, as well as manufacturing sectors, which are viewed as sectors that have the potential to create jobs in numbers – which will help decrease the high unemployment rate and help fight poverty in the Eastern Cape.
The handing over of equipment to informal traders under the Port St Johns Local Municipality was held on April 18.
