City Council has approved four major informal trading plans around Cape Town, unlocking a total of nearly 800 new trading opportunities.
As many as 416 trading bays have been proposed for Cape Town’s Grand Parade alone. This is already one of Cape Town’s busiest and most contested trading hubs.
Other areas set to benefit from the move include Mamre and Pella near Atlantis, Elsies River, and Gatesville.
Together, these plans aim to create more inclusive, better-regulated, and economically viable trading spaces for hundreds of hawkers and the communities they serve.
“These plans are not just about regulation – they’re about practical improvements that support local traders and stimulate economic activity,” said Alderman James Vos.
“We’ve pushed to get them approved because I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact they’ve had in areas where similar interventions have been implemented.”
Highlights of the new informal trading proposal
According to a statement released by the City, the new initiative aims to improve the infrastructure of trading bays and the surrounding spaces.
The City also plans to give permits to previously unpermitted hawkers, giving them access to City support services.
This in turn would help improve compliance in line with the City’s Informal Trading by-law.
What other areas are getting bays?
The breakdown of new trading opportunities is as follows:
Grand Parade, Cape Town CBD: 416 bays
Gatesville: 265 bays (including 116 new opportunities)
Elsies River: 60 bays
Mamre and Pella: 42 bays
The above allocations are set to significantly expand economic opportunities for hawkers and the entire value chain. Vos also emphasised the importance of consultation in shaping the plans.
“I really enjoy engaging with traders and hearing directly from them about what’s needed,” he added.
“These plans are shaped by such conversations and are designed to create cleaner, safer, and more functional trading spaces.”
Is this a good initiative by the City?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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