MBABANE:Mathokoza Sikhondze,the Coordinator of Eswatini Informal Traders says the annual “Lunch at the Market” event organized by Business Eswatini is making a huge difference to the lives of street vendors as it promotes buying from informal traders.
When asked by this Swaziland News to share a view on how the initiative benefits informal traders, the Eswatini Informal Traders Coordinator said,such initiative must be enhanced to promote the buying from informal traders nationwide.
“It’s a good initiative because it restores the dignity of the women and other street vendors in the market.When you see high profile people buying fruits and vegetables from a woman who is trying to earn a living in the market,that creates a huge positive impact because it sends a message that, buying at the market is not for low class citizens.We hope Business Eswatini will consider expanding the event to cover the whole country. It cannot be necessarily be high profile everywhere but, people must be encouraged nationwide to buy at the market on that particular day and beyond”, said the Coordinator.
Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg,Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament(MP),Labour Minister Phila Buthelezi,Standard Bank Chief Executive Mvuselelo Fakudze, Commerce Minister Mancoba Khumalo,United Nations(UN) Eswatini Resident Coordinator George Wachira,European Union(UN) Eswatini Ambassador Dessislava Choumelova were among other high profile individuals who attended the recent Business Eswatini “Lunch at the Market” event at Mahlanya to buy from street vendors.
High profile people enjoying lunch at the market.