GRDM wants to give informal trade bigger playing field

GEORGE NEWS - District Mayor Memory Booysen said if one looks at all the countries with better economies than South Africa, you will find that one of the reasons why they are doing so well is that they have recognised the informal sector.

In his address to the GRDM council last Wednesday, 27 July, Booysen mentioned the recent South African Informal Traders Alliance Conference hosted by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).

"There is a lot we can still do, apart from supporting SSMEs. There are people who are in the process of registering themselves, but they are busy selling, buying and trading. We have recognised that space," he said.

Booysen said he wants to engage all the mayors of the B-municipalities to ensure that by-laws make provision to give people in the informal sector the relevant playing field to be part of the mainstream economy and make it easier to be recognised.

ANC's Clodia Lichaba said it is good that they are focusing on the revival of the economy and the support of informal and emerging sectors. She asked how the district is positioning itself. "I think we must go even beyond with the informal economy, because it has potential in South Africa."

Virgill Gericke of the PBI said the informal sector is a critical point for their party. "We congratulate the district on the initiative to bring the sector together," said Gericke.

"We also ask that the district mayor engage with the local councils to remove the red tape and bureaucracies. We also make a very strong point that the by-laws be adjusted to open up the economy to ensure greater participation. It should include all races, peoples, cultures and types of business."

ANC's Clodia Lichaba said it is good that they are focusing on the revival of the economy.

Economy and roads

During recess the GRDM hosted workshops within the different clusters in the tourism sector to help change the economy around after Covid. Booysen said the GRDM will continue to be involved in this process.

He furthermore announced the reopening of the Saasveld Road, or Madiba Drive, as it was renamed a few years ago.

"We were inundated with people wanting to know why it took so long. I know that the relevant officials and councillors tried their utmost best to communicate why it took so long. Some of these things are based on weather permitted, you can't put tar when it is raining." He said the students can now take the "shortcut" to the Nelson Mandela University.

Booysen said the Roads Department is one of the GRDM's flagship departments: "We always punch above our weight. They are the best Roads Department within the province. Because they always do well - no wonder people are sticking it out for 30 years plus. We acquired two graders to the value of more than R10-million. This is an indication that if you do well, you get more."

Virgill Gericke of the PBI said the informal sector is a critical point for their party.