Vendors from the Tongaat Morning Market have raised concerns over difficult trading conditions after being relocated to the Pension Cottage sports grounds while renovations are carried out at the longstanding Plain Street market.
According to vendor Pravin Gopal, they were informed in April that the market would temporarily close to allow for renovations, but uncertainty over alternative trading arrangements led to delays in the move.
“We were issued with the first notice on April 25, that the market would temporarily close due to scheduled renovations, scheduled to start on May 4. However, we could not adhere to the notice because no alternative trading space was provided,” said Gopal.
“Since then, the notice was extended weekly until May 23, which was our last trading day at the market.”
Following discussions with municipal officials, traders were eventually relocated to the Pension Cottage sports grounds, where they have now been operating for two weeks.
“We fought the move in the beginning because the municipality was not providing alternative spaces for us to trade.
“The Pension Cottage sports grounds is an open space and we have been provided with one security guard. However, we have no water, no electricity, no ablution facilities or closed shelter.”
He said many traders have been forced to bring their own gazebos and tables, while others have had to sit on the ground for hours while trading.
“Everyone brings their own gazebos, some vendors are not so lucky. They do not even have tables, let alone shelters, so they have to sit on the ground for hours. It is very sad,” he said.
Gopal acknowledged assistance from local businessman Ricky Naidoo, who stepped in to provide essential services.
“Luckily they have halted our monthly rent for the market. Ricky Naidoo was gracious enough to supply us with two toilets, drinking water and even shelters to those who needed them. We are very grateful,” he said.
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The municipality has reportedly indicated that the renovation project could take up to three months to complete.
“The first week of trading on the grounds was difficult because we were not even provided with basic needs.
“We had a discussion and the municipality said they had no budget to get us toilets. This was frustrating because this market is our livelihood. Without it, we will not be able to take care of our families.”
A lifelong member of the market community, Gopal said he had been involved with the market for more than four decades.
“I have been part of the market since I was a toddler. I have been working in the market for over 40 years.
“We want the renovations and we are open to the municipality helping, but we only get to trade once a week. This is our bread and butter.”
He added that the open-air conditions had created further challenges for vendors, with direct sunlight damaging fresh produce and reduced customer numbers affecting sales.
“The grounds are not as easy to trade on because the direct sun is wilting our produce. We also do not get many customers because no one knows where we are. We have no money, so we had to make the signage ourselves and hope customers see it and find us on the grounds,” he said.
As winter approaches, traders fear conditions could worsen.
“It is only getting colder each day. We will have to brace for cold or wet conditions on the grounds just to survive. We at the market are a family; we see each other suffer but we cannot even do much to help. We just want to sell our produce and earn a living,” Gopal said.
Meanwhile, Ricky Naidoo of Venk-Pac criticised the lack of facilities provided at the relocation site and highlighted the support offered by community organisations.
“The municipality has relocated the Plain Street market to an open ground that has no cover, no toilets and no drinking water, whilst they renovate the original facility,” said Naidoo.
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He said the Tongaat Civic Ratepayers Association (TCRA) had stepped in to assist traders and customers.
“The TCRA has provided two portable toilets with a cleaner, three gazebos and fresh water for the traders and customers at the Plane Street market,” he said.
Naidoo described his shock upon visiting the site on the market’s first day at the new location.
“I went to the market on the first day they were at the grounds and I was shocked that there were not even toilets, let alone shelter provided. How can the municipality move the traders where there are no facilities?” he asked.
According to Naidoo, some traders reported having to use nearby bushes due to the lack of sanitation facilities.
“Some of the traders told me they had to urinate in the nearby bush. It was devastating,” he said.
He also claimed that community members had to assist with preparing the site.
“We even had to clean the grounds because the municipality only cleaned one small section,” said Naidoo.
Expressing concern for the future of the traders, he added: “The people in Tongaat are suffering, no one is helping them and now with the cold weather approaching, I do not know how they will survive.”
