By Perpetua Murungweni
Informal trading around the Chesvingo Safe Market is reportedly impacting the viability and economic stability of the newly opened market, pushing many women who are supposed to benefit from it back onto the streets.
One of the implementing partners behind the market, International Labour Organization (ILO) Senior Communications and Information Management Officer Mutandwa, said they had observed low occupancy of tables and a lack of participation by women, prompting investigations into the cause.
“We have observed that there is low occupation of tables in the market and a delay in the uptake of vacancies at the ECD center, as beneficiaries are not generating enough income. The market is supposed to accommodate 80 vendors, but so far, it only has 65 vendors. Discussions are already underway on how to address this because the center was primarily built to support childbearing-age women and as a community service. However, it has to generate revenue to sustain itself, or it will collapse,” said Mutandwa.
Chesvingo Safe Market Chairperson Blessing Mutume praised the implementing partners but cited competition from vendors outside the center as one of the reasons for the low uptake of market services.
“The project has helped us a lot, and we no longer have to worry about our young children, as the market is designed to accommodate them at the ECD center while we are working. However, some women hesitate to take up spaces here due to stiff competition from those operating outside the market. Those who have taken up spaces, as you can see, have very few products to sell because they are afraid of incurring losses,” said Mutume.
Ruth Matiyashe, one of the beneficiaries at the market, said illegal vendors operating outside hindered their ability to make profits.
“Illegal vendors selling outside the market and offering the same products threaten our businesses and income. They sell their goods at lower prices that we cannot compete with because they don’t pay rentals,” said Matiyashe.
Everjoy Hokomurimwa also raised concerns about illegal vendors and appealed to the council for assistance.
“We plead with the council to intervene and remove illegal vendors from the streets because they are making money at our expense. Business here is slow and painful. Vendors operating outside the market are making more money than us,” said Hokomurimwa.
The Chesvingo Safe Market is a key initiative under the Sustainable Enterprise Development of Women and Youth (SEDWAY) Project. It is the result of a collaborative effort by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Government of Zimbabwe, the ILO, and the City of Masvingo.
Launched on July 11, 2024, the Chesvingo Safe Market aligns with the ILO’s mandate to promote decent work and sustainable development while supporting the Government of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasizes inclusive economic growth. The initiative also reflects the AfDB’s priorities to promote gender equality and economic empowerment.
In addition to vending stalls for women and youth entrepreneurs, the market features a pre-school and a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors’ center, strategically placed to provide care for the children of vendors while they conduct business.
