Bulawayo's shop keepers hail ZDDTs community work

Written by Lewis Jones, ZDDT Field Correspondent Monday, 26 September 2011 12:28

BULAWAYO – Clothing shop-keeper, George Battey, is a third generation citizen, whose parents, sixty years ago, established the business he runs. His shop fronts the Lobengula Street Pedestrian Mall, site of a busy vending area and close to the City’s main commuter terminal, down town.

---

Mayor and Councillors handing over Vending bays to residents in Ward 1.

During a recent hand-over of a vending shelter, by the City of Bulawayo Field, Correspondent Lewis Jones (LJ) took the opportunity to canvas views of several local business people, on

issues concerning service delivery. The interview with Mr. Battey (GB), excerpts of which may be found below, was selected for publication.

LJ Your family business has been in existence long before this pedestrian mall was built. How has its construction and the advent of regulated vending at the site affected your fortunes?

GB The City of Bulawayo built this mall specifically to protect pedestrians who use the nearby bus terminus. As a resident, I am in agreement with measures that are taken to protect lives. Yes, there was a decline in motorist clients as a result of the mall’s establishment.

The consequent loss of business from that sector has been adequately compensated by the increased pedestrian trade that has ensued. Competition from vendors is not as devastating as it may seem, because my shop stocks goods of specific tastes for which the informal traders do not usually cater.

LJ There was complaining from local shop owners and residents that this area is one of those worst hit by littering. What is your opinion regarding this?

GB The absence of rubbish bins, since Council’s is currently unable to provide these, saw an increase in littering here as in other areas. However, the local Councillor has organised vendors into taking responsibility for the cleanliness of their own trading plots. This move complements the efforts of City cleaning staff, with the result that our area is now much tidier.

LJ The new vending shelter in front of your shop was recently presented by the Local Authority to informal traders. Did you witness the event and what improvement to you think this will bring with it?

GB For one thing, it brings order in local trading activities, besides providing vendors with protection from the elements. This shelter is certainly an advantage to informal traders and shop owners alike, since there is now no need for vendors to clutter our verandas in order to be shielded from the sun or rains.

LJ The City Council is testing new public lighting technology right here in your area. Are you aware of this and do you see any advantages coming from the exercise?




Shopkeeper Battey (Interviewee).

GB I witnessed its installation and have seen the potential difference it presents. The advantages that this technology offer in terms of energy saving, longevity and brightness will most definitely improve security conditions, with perhaps, the added reward of longer trading hours.

LJ Do you, in your opinion, think that all these recent activities in the area, may act as a means to convince residents that the Local Authority is committed to improving service delivery? In addition, is it possible that this type of demonstration will persuade rate-payers to honour their obligations to the City Council?

GB It certainly seems convincing enough for my colleagues and me. My opinion is that this represents a good beginning and if such efforts are sustained, the general public is bound to benefit through the Municipality’s resultant ability in providing better service delivery.


Readers might be interested to know, that much of the content in the fore-going interview acts a means in highlighting concerted efforts, being made by stakeholders to provide improved services to residents. In its Local Authority Capacity Building Programme, ZDDT, in association with the City of Bulawayo and GIZ, assisted by the German Government, is conducting various
interventions aimed at enhancing service delivery, through improved revenue collection and resource management.