"These vending shelters are a blessing to us as a community" - Bulawayo Ward 18 residents express thanks to ZDDT
In a move meant to augment Bulawayo City Council’s Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s) formalisation and empowerment programme, ZDDT endowed the LA with 7 sets of 6 bay vending shelters. The shelters are stationed in 7 different wards, in strategic sites, which were identified by their Councillors, with the assistance of the LA’s Town Planning Department.
Above: A ZDDT PDO inspecting one of the Vending Shelters
ZDDT News Correspondent, Ntando Sibanda (NS) went to one of the sites and coincidentally met community members who were overjoyed by the donation and had therefore decided to clean the area around the vending booth installed in their Ward. He then took that golden opportunity to introduce himself to the residents and hear their views and opinions about the vending stall.
Below can be found part of the interview, which ensued between him and the group leader, Mrs Concilia Mlalazi (CM):
NS: What do you think about this intervention?
CM: This is a wonderful intervention, hence, you finding us here today. We were notified of the donation and we decided to come and clear and clean the whole so that the vending shelter can be noticeable and also that it can be seen that we are very happy and grateful for the donation.
NS: Do you think these vending shelters will be helpful?
CM: These vending shelters are a blessing to us as a community and we are very grateful and thankful for the donation. We think that they will be very helpful in that they provide a shed for the vendors. We have also noticed that the shelves are nicely and property arranged so that a vendor can easily sort their goods (sic).
NS: What do you think about the various interventions by done by ZDDT in communities?
CM: Well! ZDDT is doing a very good job and their interventions will go a long way in restoring communities in this city. Already, what we have seen is surprising is proving to be very helpful to us as a community.
NS: What is your current relationship with ZDDT?
CM: We have heard quiet a lot about the programmes of ZDDT and we would love to work closely with them. We are especially interested in being taught basic life skills hence we appeal to them to intervene in that regard.
The completion of the installation of the vending stalls and their subsequent official handover by the LA marked another milestone in its endeavour to formalise the operations of SMEs in the city.
Residents of Ward 18 (Magwegwe) have expressed their gratitude to