To date, Asiye Etafuleni’s main area of operation has been Warwick Junction, Durban’s primary transport node which, on an average day, accommodates 460,000 commuters and at least 5,000 street traders. However, we have also been involved projects in other parts of Durban, in Underberg in the Kwa Zulu Natal Midlands, and are increasingly being approached by other municipalities across South Africa.  The range of project work has included initiated work, commisioned work, dissemination and only as a last measure; litigation support.

Initiated Work

Initiated work is projects that emerge out of an identified need or opportunity, as the tourism project called ‘Markets of Warwick’ and Campaigns. This has included provision of technical support for MBOs and enabling access to training, and engagement with government officials to improve or upgrade the urban infrastructure from which informal workers operate.

Commissioned Work

Commissioned work has included the Inner-City Cardboard Recycling Project as commissioned by Ethekwini Municipality’s Imagine Durban Project. Other commisioned work has been done in Warwick Junction for the Herb Market, Mielie Cookers’ Market and Bead Market; and Besters and Malandela Road. Outside of Durban, KwaSani Municipality has commissioned consultative support for Underberg.

Dissemination

In terms of advocacy and dissemination, the NGO has been promoting the richly illustrated book ‘Working in Warwick’ (co-authored by Richard Dobson), which brings narratives of the occupations – the everyday practices of the street traders and their ways of interpreting and contributing to the city – into dialogue with urban policy, and with the disciplinary discourses of economic development.

Litigation Support

In terms of litigation support, Asiye eTafuleni has also been involved in evaluating responses by city officials to a proposed Mall. The latter state of events has been brought by individual street traders that stand to be displaced because of the proposed Mall, who have subsequently launched a lawsuit against the local municipality with the assistance of the Legal Resources Centre. The case involves the street traders who work on the fringes of Warwick market, including bovine head cookers, barrow operator, live poultry sellers and others, and seeks to establish their right to conduct trade in a manner that suits long established traditions and values rather than the standards associated with the formal economy.