As strong winds, heavy rain and bitter cold continue to sweep across Cape Town, informal traders are being forced to adapt quickly to survive.
From covering stalls with plastic sheets to relocating goods and working longer hours, many traders are battling harsh weather conditions while trying to keep their businesses open. Despite the challenges, their resilience and determination continue to keep local communities supplied and the informal economy alive.
Lack of proper shelter makes vendors vulnerable to these harsh weather conditions, and they frequently have to pay more for repairs.
The period between April and September is really difficult for traders in Cape Town.
Despite the cold, many traders continue to work long hours, often wearing multiple layers of clothing and relying on hot drinks to keep warm. Although they face challenges like damaged stock and fewer customers, closing is not an option for many.
Their daily earnings are essential for survival, and missing even a single day of business would mean a lack of funds for food, transport, and supporting their families.
Nomsa Mayiza, a trader in the CBD, expressed her resolve, stating, “although it’s hard but I must soldier on, my family depends on this.”
She acknowledged that while she is concerned about potential income loss due to bad weather, she remains committed to keeping her business operational to continue earning a living.
“I rely on the foot traffic of customers walking through busy streets and around the market, and the harsh weather conditions really drive them away. It’s truly frustrating,” expressed another trader, Musa Sibizi.
Sibizi stated that traders persist even in adverse conditions, explaining, “Even in the rain and cold, we keep trading because survival does not wait for good weather.”
He concluded with a message of hope, saying that despite the current difficulties, they remain optimistic that business will improve once the weather clears, adding that giving up is not an option for them.
IOL News
