Traders struggle as wet weather hits ANC's National General Council
Scores of informal traders plying their wares at the ANC 5th National General Council (NGC) are decrying the effects of the wet weather on sales.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Informal traders at the ANC's 5th National General Council, held at the Birchwood Hotel, are facing a bleak outlook as persistent wet weather and challenging economic conditions have led to a sharp decline in sales.
Many booth owners, whose livelihoods depend on such events, are struggling significantly.
Scores of these traders invested R3,000 for permits to set up their stalls, but the downpours have thwarted their plans to recoup this investment, leaving their merchandise unsold and gathering dust.
"Business has been extremely slow for the past two days," lamented Trevor Mofokeng from Alberton, a trader with over a decade of experience. "This is the first time we have struggled to generate sales like this."
Mofokeng typically makes at least R7,000 daily at a successful event, but fears he might not even reach R3,000 this time.
He noted that while ANC events usually bring good business, the current weather has deterred customers.
"I was hoping to make enough money in the next four days, but as things stand, this might not happen," he expressed.
Phumelele Ngema, another seasoned female trader who has attended numerous ANC events nationwide, also decried the situation.
"We are just hoping for the best, as you can see, this rain is not giving us a chance to make money. We are on our second day of the NGC, and the sales are bad. We do not know what is going to happen."
Wet weather has placed a damper on merchandise sales at the ANC NGC meeting currently under way in Boksburg.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Having started trading ANC regalia in 2012, Nomahlubi Ngwenya, a merchandiser who runs a shop in the Johannesburg city centre, is thankful that over the years, she has been able to put food on the table and send her children to school through her business.
"This business has really put food on my table. It has done a lot for my children and me, but the current economic conditions have been challenging to say the least. In the past, events such as this one have been lucrative, but right now, we are struggling to generate sales."
With the festive season fast approaching, Ngwenya worries about enjoying Christmas due to the slow business.
"It has not been good, and now we are almost approaching Christmas, but the business has been slow. We remain hopeful that the weather and the situation will improve by Thursday," she added.