The refurbishment of the Tshakhuma Market, launched in 2016 by the then Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, is finally near completion. The project was launched with a R14 782 343 budget.
Vendors are anxious and excited to move to this new marketplace after years of waiting. One of the vendors, who had been selling her goods from this marketplace for about three decades, believes that the upgrade will benefit them as, this time, it may attract more tourists. "As soon as we move into the new vending stalls, we will be assured of a safe and conducive place. At the moment, we are doing business out in the open where a layer of dust always coats our produce. During the hot weather, our produce go bad quickly. We don't think this is likely to happen once we move to the new marketplace," she said.
The newly upgraded market is but a stone's throw away from the old market, with space for 350 vendors and 22 rooms where the vendors can store their fruit and vegetables. Some flushing toilets are also at their disposal.
Spokesperson for the Makhado Municipality Louis Bobodi said the tariff for vending there would be reviewed annually. Limpopo Mirror wanted to know why the market was not open for vendors yet, when the project seemed to be complete already, to which Bobodi answered, "The upgraded market will be handed over and opened for the vendors as soon as Eskom activates the power connection".
Joel Mulaudzi, secretary of Tshakhuma's local civic organisation, also hailed the development in this area. "Though the then councillors did not officially communicate with our structure about the upgrade, we still appreciate this kind of development in our area, as the youth also make a living from selling fruit and vegetables at the market," he said.