A 70-year-old woman, Kuku Judith Ndabeni, from Katima Mulilo, has been struggling to sell her goods due to new regulations imposed by the local authorities. She claims that she has been selling her products for years, but now she is being forced to obtain permits and pay a fee of N$2,300 to sell 100 packets of her goods. Ndabeni says that she is finding it difficult to make a living due to the new regulations.
The new regulations have been implemented by the Metro Katima Mulilo, which has started to crack down on informal traders who do not have the necessary permits to sell their goods. Ndabeni says that she was selling her goods at the local market, but the Metro authorities have told her that she needs to obtain a permit to continue selling. She claims that she has been trying to obtain the permit, but the process is complicated and time-consuming.
Other informal traders in the area have also been affected by the new regulations. Mary Samutuma, a mother of seven, says that she has been selling goods at the market for years, but now she is being forced to obtain a permit and pay a fee. She claims that she does not have the necessary documents to obtain the permit and is worried that she will not be able to continue selling her goods.
The Native Small Traders Association (Nasta) has expressed concern over the new regulations, saying that they will negatively impact informal traders in the area. Simasiku Mulijani, the chairperson of Nasta, says that the regulations are unfair and will force many informal traders to close down their businesses. He claims that the regulations are not being enforced fairly and that some traders are being targeted while others are being allowed to continue selling without permits.
The Metro Katima Mulilo has defended the new regulations, saying that they are necessary to ensure that informal traders are operating in a fair and safe environment. Lukas Ulenga, a spokesperson for the Metro, says that the regulations are aimed at promoting fair trade practices and ensuring that traders are complying with health and safety standards. He claims that the permits are necessary to ensure that traders are operating legally and that the fees are reasonable.
The conflict between informal traders and the Metro authorities has highlighted the challenges faced by small business owners in Namibia. Many informal traders rely on selling goods at markets and in streets to make a living, but the new regulations are making it difficult for them to operate. The situation has sparked debate about the need for more support for informal traders and the importance of creating a fair and enabling environment for small businesses to thrive.
The issue is ongoing, with many informal traders continuing to sell their goods despite the new regulations. Ndabeni says that she will continue to sell her goods, even if it means operating without a permit. Other traders have expressed similar sentiments, saying that they will not give up their livelihoods without a fight. The situation remains a challenge for both the informal traders and the Metro authorities, who need to find a solution that balances the needs of traders with the need to regulate and manage the local economy.
Key points
- Informal traders in Namibia's Katima Mulilo face difficulties selling goods due to new regulations.
- The regulations require traders to obtain permits and pay fees, which many traders claim is unfair and unaffordable.
- The conflict has highlighted the challenges faced by small business owners in Namibia and the need for more support for informal traders.
