Hygiene is very important when you sell meat to the public, those were the remarks from Nokhaya ‘Manyawuza’ Kweba during the handover of a renovated shisanyama by the City in Town Two on Wednesday 16 July.
At least 10 fireplaces, four flushing toilets (two for men and two for women), five outdoor tables with chairs and a umbrella were handed over to the meat vendors.
The shisanyama is situated at the corner of Japhta K. Masemola Road and Steve Biko Street in the area.
One of the vendors Olwethu Mbengo said she has been selling meat in the area for over 20 years. She said they are popular in Khayelitsha and the surrounding areas.
“At least we will save it now because the new fireplaces are permanent structures. We used to use metal braai stands. We always change them every two or three years because they get rusty,” she said.
“The contribution that was made by the City can look small to other people, but to us as people who are working here daily, we appreciate it. It means a lot to us. We promise to keep the area clean,” she said.
Ward 97 councillor Mthwalo Mkutswana said a lot has been done to revamp the shisanyama. “We also install burglar bars and put tiles on the floor on their ship containers. We also gave them tables and chairs with an umbrella for the customers to sit while they are eating,” said Mkutswana.
He said the aim is to change its outlook. He said informal businesses play a pivotal role in the economy.
“These women have been working there for many years. They feed their families with the money they make there. There is no way that we can undermine their efforts,” he said.
