Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) recently held a Community Survey Feedback meeting in Ward 20 Melfort, Goromonzi District. The meeting was convened to bring together the community and solution holders to deliberate and prioritize development aspirations they would like to see addressed, which for the majority of traders was found to be market stalls construction, since most of them sell agricultural produce locally, whilst 13 percent transport their produce to Harare.
Many were not aware of any designated market site for them to sell their produce, leaving them to erect temporary structures that were often left to the mercy of the elements, particularly during the rainy season. Mr. Chingoriwo of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development welcomed the involvement of residents and aolution holders in the process saying this would ensure that there is unity of purpose in the area. He also advised informal traders to take advantage of the District and Provincial agricultural shows as these were invaluable platforms for marketing their products. There was also the National Women Training Centre which is located a stone throw away and he advised that the community should organise themselves as a group in order to take advantage of the facility.
Mr. Chiwanza of Ministry of Youth urged informal traders to develop and maintain solid structures so they can benefit from group schemes being run by financial institutions such as Empowerbank. Ward 20 Councillor Chikandamina thanked participants for the unity of purpose in all community affairs and said that much as they belonged to different parties, this fact has never stood in the way of development, advising that there was now an allocated piece of land for the construction of market stalls.
On the issue of water, which many cited as a challenge, the Councillor advised that he was reaching out to business persons as well as the local authority to facilitate the drilling of boreholes, with a view to rehabilitate water bodies and establish irrigation. He also commended the women in the community for establishing savings clubs amongst themselves.
Source: VISET
