Victoria Falls coming back to life Vic Falls informal traders have restocked their shops

Natalie Muzore, Victoria Falls Reporter

THE return of tourists in Victoria Falls after the Covid-19-induced successive lockdowns has reignited hope among informal traders whose business relies mostly on tourists.

The outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 led to closure of businesses and informal traders were also forced to close shop as there were no customers.

Without tourists in the resort city, informal traders who include curio vendors, vegetable traders, flea market vendors, fine artists and those who trade in traditional Africa attire and artefacts were left counting their losses.

Some relocated to rural areas while others failed to pay rentals both at home and at workplaces.

Some are yet to resume business.

For those that resumed, the past few months have been encouraging owing to an influx of both local and international tourists.

A number of conferences that have been held in Victoria Falls have also left vendors smiling as this translates to business for them from the delegates who take time to explore the city and buy artefacts for souvenirs.

A snap survey by a news crew showed that most vendors are back at their selling points.

Some, however, complained about harassment by law enforcement agents over lack of operating licences which some are yet to renew.

There are also concerns about influx of Zambian hawkers who sell door-to-door in suburbs without paying anything to the local authority.

Ms Busi Shoko who sells curios and a variety of artefacts at Tshaka’s Den which has 13 small shops at Elephants Walk, said she was hopeful business will boom going forward.

“The coming in of tourists is a blessing because business is also picking up. We were at zero during Covid-19 but now we can sell something each day and be able to buy food for our families and pay school fees for our children,” said Ms Shoko. 

On a good day before Covid-19, one would make between US$50 and US$100 per day from selling curios.

Mr Zamani Sibanda, a fine art vendor operating at Landela Complex in the central business district said the past few months were promising.

“Almost three years ago the city was a ghost town because of Covid-19 but now we seem to be back to normal business. The pandemic impacted heavily on our business as we could not get any clients. Yes, tourist arrivals are still not at full capacity but there is significant improvement from the past few months,” he said.

The news crew observed that most vendors had filled their vending stalls with stock in anticipation of brisk business.

A vegetable vendor Ms Sibonginkosi Ngwenya, however, appealed to the Victoria Falls City Council to stop raiding informal traders for operating licences.

Victoria Falls City Council

She said there are days when vendors are involved in running battles with council police which affects business.

“I have been selling on the roadside for the past 25 years but we are worried about the escalation of raids by the council. 

“We did not know that we should pay for any licence and wish we could have someone to represent us in council who will speak on our behalf to exempt us from some of the licences because we just sell on the streets and use no service at all,” she said.

Vendors are supposed to pay about US$300 per year for operating licences. – @NatalieMuzore.

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