mbulelo smpofu
Leonard Ncube, [email protected]
INFORMAL traders in Lupane have urged the Lupane Local Board to expedite the development of essential public infrastructure, including markets, sheds and public toilets, to support their businesses and improve the town’s facilities.
The Lupane Local Board, which administers the Matabeleland North provincial capital, has made strides by constructing modern ablution facilities, which are free for travellers but require locals to pay R5 per visit or US$1 weekly.
A renovated vending market accommodates 20 informal traders, and a waiting shed has been set up at the long-distance bus rank for travellers.
Despite these developments, informal traders face challenges. While travellers enjoy free access to the ablution facilities, traders often resort to alternative means such as nearby shops or the bush to avoid the fees.
Located 171km from Bulawayo along the Victoria Falls Road, Lupane lacks a built-up town centre, with only a small business centre, two service stations, a bus rank, a single bank and limited public services.
However, the town is experiencing rapid growth, driven by key projects such as the Bubi-Lupane Dam, Lupane State University and the Welshman Mabhena Government Complex. The construction of Lupane Provincial Hospital, which will house all its staff on-site, is underway, alongside functional provincial civil and district registry offices.
These developments have increased pressure on Lupane’s limited facilities, prompting calls for more investment to match its provincial capital status, granted in 1999. The Second Republic has prioritised infrastructure projects to position Lupane as a service hub for Matabeleland North.
In interviews, informal traders stressed the urgent need for expanded infrastructure.
“We appreciate the vegetable market, which has served us well for three years. However, it only accommodates 20 members, leaving others exposed during the rainy season. We also need a public toilet because, for now, we rely on the pay toilet, which is free only for travellers,” said Ms Janeth Banda, a vendor representative.
Ms Virginia Moyo, a fast-food vendor, echoed the sentiment, saying the inconvenience faced by traders and their customers is unbearable.
“Our clients sometimes have no choice but to use the pay toilet. We need a public facility to address this challenge,” she said.
Push-cart vendor, Ms Vanessa, Ndlovu expressed concerns about working conditions.
“We start as early as 5am and finish at 8pm. During this time, we need access to toilets and protection from rain. We cover our goods with plastic and push them to safer places, but it’s not ideal. R5 per visit is too much for us. We once suggested paying monthly fees, but no agreement was reached,” she said.
Push-cart vendors pay US$50 for licence fees and US$15 for medical tests, further straining their limited resources.
The Lupane Local Board has set aside land for shopping malls, lodges and service centres to attract investors and grow the town’s potential. With more public offices relocating to Lupane and the population exceeding 10 000 in the town and over 200 000 in the district, the need for expanded and standard facilities is critical.
These developments align with the National Development Strategy 1 and the broader Vision 2030 agenda, which aim to transform Lupane into a fully functional provincial capital and service centre for Matabeleland North.
