By Burnett Munthali
Street Vending has returned to the streets of Lilongwe after several weeks of fierce running battles between Lilongwe City Assembly authorities and Street Vendors. The battles appeared so intense that it was assumed this was the end of vending along the streets of Lilongwe.
However, the chasing of vendors from the streets of Lilongwe continues and is now a game of hide and seek. It’s no longer a scary adventure for the vendors as they partly enjoy the chase. They are always alert to be confronted at any time and the display arrangement of their merchandise tells you of an alert soldier.
There is usually surprise entertainment each day when you hear loud screaming noise. People run, whistle and jump in all directions like nobody’s business. It’s normally free hundred meters race everyday between City Assembly authorities and Street Vendors.
You will always see a Lilongwe City Assembly pick up driving around town. Then you know and understand the meaning of the loud noise. Street Vendors run away everyday to save their merchandize from getting confiscated by Lilongwe City Assembly authorities.
The Challenge
Lack of storage, theft or damage to stock are common issues. By-laws governing street trade can be confusing and licenses hard to get, leaving many street vendors vulnerable to harassment, confiscations and evictions.
There are key factors in street vendors. It is significantly affected by various factors, including education, geographical distance, business capital, and social capital.
There are many driving forces and working conditions for the vendors. Low barriers to entry, limited start-up costs, and flexible hours are some of the factors that draw street vendors to the occupation. Many people enter street vending because they cannot find a job in the formal economy.
Purpose of street food vendors
Street foods are ready-to-eat food and beverages prepared and/or sold by vendors or hawkers especially in the streets and other similar places. They represent a significant part of urban food consumption for millions of low-and-middle-income consumers, in urban areas on a daily basis.
The problem with street vendors
Lack of storage, theft or damage to stock are common issues. By-laws governing street trade can be confusing and licenses hard to get, leaving many street vendors vulnerable to harassment, confiscations and evictions.
Street Vending causes a lot of disadvantages including traffic congestion, environmental pollution, visual pollution and reduced food safety. It is important to effectively manage street vending to reduce these significant negative effects.
Way forward
Government must handle street vendors once and for all. Authorities must recognize their privilege. More tax collection is government’s priority number one. Therefore, accommodate street vendors completely.
Street vendors in Lilongwe, Malawi, have a singular desire: to be able to work free from the evictions, harassment, and fines that have become devastatingly commonplace in recent years. In the face of often violent exclusion, street vendors in Lilongwe and all cities, have called upon the local and national governments for change, over and over again. They have consistently voiced their desire to work together to build a more equitable system, where fair regulations are clearly communicated and respected.
Provision of alternative places where vendors can do their business freely is the lasting solution to the never ending conflict going on in town seven days a week, 365 days every year. Otherwise, government will keep losing a lot of money in the exercise is trying to clear vendors from the streets who are also unwilling to quit as it is their place of survival.