TSHWANE MAYOR TURNS THE SOD AMID DEBATE OVER INFORMAL MARABASTAD TRADING!
The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality has officially begun construction of new trading stalls in Marabastad, in what Mayor Nasiphi Moya has described as a major step towards formalising informal trade and restoring order in one of Pretoria’s busiest commercial districts.
Moya recently turned the sod at the site where the stalls will be constructed, signalling the start of a project aimed at providing structured trading spaces for informal traders who operate in and around Marabastad.
The initiative forms part of the City’s broader effort to regulate informal trading while supporting small businesses that rely on street trade for survival.
“Trading for locals,” Moya emphasised.
Today, we returned to Marabastad to fulfill a promise we made to build infrastructure for informal traders. We are building 60 stalls in this area that’s adjacent to the Tshwane Retail Market. The Market Stalls will be occupied and used by Tshwane residents. We made a commitment that trading in this city will be locals and legally registered traders. Our visit to the site was accompanied by the contractor and representatives from the informal trading sector,”
Said Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya on Thursday
Marabastad has long been one of Pretoria’s most vibrant wholesale and retail hubs, attracting shoppers and small-scale resellers from across Gauteng and neighbouring provinces. The area is particularly known for bulk goods, clothing and household items that are often bought by traders who resell them in townships and informal markets.
However, the busy trading environment has also created challenges for the municipality, including overcrowded sidewalks, illegal trading spots and complaints from formal businesses.
In recent months, the City has taken a tougher stance on by-law enforcement in the area. Municipal officials have conducted operations aimed at removing traders operating without permits or occupying restricted areas.
These enforcement actions have sparked debate among traders and residents, with some welcoming the City’s attempts to restore order while others argue that the measures have disrupted livelihoods.
The construction of new trading stalls is being presented by the municipality as part of the solution.
According to the City, the stalls will provide traders with designated, safer and regulated spaces from which to operate. Officials say this will not only improve compliance with municipal by-laws but also enhance safety and accessibility for shoppers visiting the area.
Mayor Moya has repeatedly emphasised that the municipality is trying to strike a balance between enforcing regulations and supporting informal economic activity.
Since assuming office in 2024, she has prioritised by-law enforcement and urban management as part of efforts to improve the functioning of the capital city.
Yet questions remain about whether traders will fully embrace the new infrastructure.
Across South Africa, similar municipal projects aimed at formalising informal trade have sometimes struggled to attract traders. In some cases, newly built stalls have remained empty because traders felt rental costs were too high or because the locations did not attract enough foot traffic.
Some traders also prefer operating in high-visibility areas where customers pass frequently, even if those locations are technically illegal.
Marabastad’s trading community is diverse, with long-established wholesalers and resellers operating alongside a growing number of informal traders who sell goods on pavements and street corners.
The area has historically been dominated by established wholesale businesses, many of which supply smaller traders who travel from surrounding townships to purchase stock.
In recent years, however, the number of informal traders operating without permits has increased, placing additional pressure on the municipality to enforce its by-laws.
Urban development experts note that the success of the new stalls will likely depend on several factors, including affordability, location and the level of consultation between the City and traders.
If traders feel the infrastructure meets their needs, the project could help create a more organised trading environment while supporting small businesses.
But if the stalls are perceived as expensive or poorly positioned, there is a risk they could remain underutilised.
For now, construction is expected to proceed in phases as the City works to reshape the trading landscape in Marabastad.
Whether the new stalls will become a thriving marketplace or another underused municipal project will ultimately depend on whether traders see the development as an opportunity—or an obstacle—to earning a living.