TRANSFORMATION OF INFORMAL TRADE IN THE CITY
THE City is rolling out the Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity. This week the spotlight is on informal trade.
Over the past five years, eThekwini Municipality’s Informal Trade Division, within the Economic Development Directorate, has strengthened the bridge between the formal and informal economy. The division ensures that informal businesses operate in safe, affordable, and well-maintained environments that are appealing to customers. This includes identifying strategic sites, constructing new infrastructure or upgrading existing facilities, and issuing permits and lease agreements.
The division also provides skills development and maintains spaces so traders can focus on income-generating activities that support families and create jobs. Infrastructure investment has been central to this progress. In the 2023/24 financial year, capital projects supported 636 traders and created 124 jobs across eThekwini. The refurbishment of the 126 Johannes Nkosi Building benefited 250 traders and generated 18 jobs.
Flood restoration at the Illovo Auto Hub and the eMahawini Business Support Centre assisted 51 traders and created 18 jobs. Upgrades at 64 Flower Road and uMlazi V Container Park collectively supported 84 traders and added 26 jobs. Expansion of trading infrastructure further widened opportunities.
New business hives were constructed at Blue Lagoon and the Cornubia Traders Facility which were opened in 2025. The Folweni Traders Hub and Midway Mall Container Park provide facilities for 153 traders and created 50 jobs.
The Centrum Park Trading Hub, located near The Workshop, opened in 2024 and houses 500 traders. Opening the site has helped to address illegal trading in the Central Business District as the project enabled legal trading and improved compliance with Municipal regulations. Meanwhile, the Tara Road Building was refurbished for traders and flea market operations, benefiting 98 traders and generating 12 jobs. Upgrades at the Verulam Market benefited 507 traders and created 15 jobs, while the Phoenix Market supported 132 traders and generated 13 jobs.
In the south, Ezimbuzini Market benefited 191 traders and created 10 jobs. Beyond infrastructure, the programme strengthened resilience. From July 2021 to December 2022, retail market traders affected by COVID-19 and socio-economic unrest received rental holidays worth R9.5 million across the south, west, and north regions. Together, these initiatives reflect a five-year milestone of inclusive growth.
