FRANCISTOWN: The recently completed informal sector plan which is a brainchild of the Francistown City Council (FCC) will help address tension that has often characterised the relationship between the council and vendors.

Francistown deputy mayor, Lesego Kwambala said this as he articulated the objective of the strategy during an interview. He explained that one of the key elements of the strategy is to ensure that those in the informal sector trade in a harmonised manner. The council has often been accused of harassing those in the informal sector, particularly vendors operating in the city’s main Centaral Business District (CBD). On the contrary, the council’s position has always been that the vendors operate in non gazetted areas and cause congestion in the city centre.

The other view of the council is that vendors do not tend their operating spaces, something that makes the city centre look less appealing. Additionally, the council has on several occasions confiscated wares of vendors operating in the city’s main CBD.

On the other hand, those in the informal sector accuse the council of being less considerate. They have continued to resist the council moves to stop them from operating in the city centre, arguing that the move could drive them out of business.

That is why the deputy mayor is of the view that allocating the informal sector designated spaces for their operations (as part of implementing the informal sector strategy) is very vital in terms of lessening historic clashes between the vendors and council officials. He believes it will also improve the aesthetic look of the city. Kwambala previously led Francistown councillors and council officials on a trip to Zimbabwe to solicit ideas meant to guide the conception of the strategy.

“One of the key elements of the new strategy is that those in the informal sector will be grouped according to their respective business areas to avoid congestion in the city. Locations, where the respective traders will be housed will also be well organised and structured. If those in the informal sector operate in designated spaces, they will enjoy a cordial relationship with council officials,” Kwambala said in an interview.

The strategy, according to Kwambala, means that ideas of those in the informal sector will be incorporated in the city’s strategic plan going forward.

“There is no doubt that the informal sector keeps the city and the economy moving. If the ideas or suggestions of those in the formal sector are included in the city’s strategic plan, they can help contribute to the economic prosperity of the city,” he said.

The Itekeng ward councillor explained that he expects the strategy to be rolled out with ease as key stakeholders being vendors were fully engaged during its conception.

The informal sector strategy was completed in October 2022. It was done by the council in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), who provided capacity through consultancy services. UNDP did assessments and compiled recommendations from various stakeholders between July and September this year.

Speaking during an ordinary full council meeting early this week, Mayor Godisang Radisigo emphasised that the implementation of the strategy will start as soon as possible so that it does not lose momentum. He explained that the council’s Informal Sector Task Team will spearhead the process.