City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba together with Market’s CEO, Ayanda Kanana and Economic Development MMC Leah Knottofficially launched Joburg’s Peoples’ Market expansion project.
Kanana said the project will see an additional 28 stalls added to the existing 71 and numerous facility upgrades, which will assist entrepreneurial and economic growth in Johannesburg.
“The People’s Market totals around R250 million annual purchasing and is an informal satellite market that forms part of the Joburg Market. It is the largest fresh produce market in South Africa and all of Africa by volume and value. By the way of comparison, Joburg Market is twice the size of the second ranked market in the country and bigger than 17 other local markets”, said Kanana.
Knott said the Joburg Market, measures a total of 65 000m2 and serves about 5 000 farmers from across South Africa. Knott added that the Market sends its fresh products and produce to be traded to a larger buyer base, averaging about 10 000 daily.
“The People’s Market currently provides 71 informal traders with the opportunity to generate their own income, often allowing them to educate their children or to buy a house. After the upgrades are complete, an additional 28 stalls will be created. The critic to the success of this project will be the development and incubation of entrepreneur development. There are a number of opportunities that will be created where the Market can facilitate the capacitation and up-skilling of a number of the tenants, apart from creating new business opportunities”, said Knott.
Mashaba said the ceremonial sod-turning of the upcoming developments, is expected to create 262 jobs during and after construction.
“Further upgrades to the Market include a new taxi rank, a new cold store, generator plant, upgraded road, electrical, and water infrastructures.
‘The upgrades to this critical component of the Joburg Market is a clear demonstration of bringing Diphetogoto our residents, and especially our entrepreneurs and small business owners.This project will therefore also target women and youth when new stalls are allocated and when the entrepreneurship program is implemented”, said Mashaba.
Mashaba said their goal is to see Johannesburg’s economy growing by 5 per cent per year, therefore to create more much-need jobs, especially among the youth.
“These upgrades are a commitment from the city to support the growth of businesses through implementing and upgrading basic infrastructure. It is a goal this administration continues to be committed to”, he said.
