Durban - eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says the informal sector remained the key economic driver in the country and encouraged informal traders to create opportunities through their small enterprises.
Speaking at the Annual Informal Economy Indaba in Durban on Wednesday, Kaunda encouraged the informal traders to think bigger than where they are now and enter bigger sectors.
“Dream beyond trading in the taxi rank and see yourself in bigger spaces.”
He added that the sector was capable of job creation with the help and support from the government.
The mayor said uncertainties like the civil unrest, floods and Covid-19 affected the sector with job losses.
Kaunda pleaded with the traders to work with the municipality to ensure that the looting that took place in July last year doesn’t repeat itself, in the best interest of the informal economy.
“These disturbances in the economy have caused many inequalities in our country and affected the growth of the economy, so that is why it is vital for us to support this sector in order to elevate those who are disadvantaged.”
Kaunda urged traders to buy local by familiarising themselves with how the import and export system works with the intention of ensuring that they buy local first before they go outside the borders.