The newly opened Inhloko Meat Sellers structure based at the KwaMashu Train Station. The infrastructure is set to boost business and attract more customers.

THE businesses of 47 informal traders selling cooked meat, popularly known as ‘Inhloko’, are set for a major boost. This follows the official opening of the R6 million Inhloko Meat Sellers Facility at the KwaMashu Train Station on 22 February. The facility comprises of 47 meat sellers’ stalls as well as a kitchen area, preparation area, generator, two massive cold and freezer rooms to store meat as well as water tanks. The facility also provides ablution facilities and cleaning services.

Officially opening the facility was Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams who said the centre seeks to provide the informal sector with decent facilities to conduct their business. Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams was joined by the City’s Deputy Chairperson of the Community Services Committee Councillor Vusi Mngadi and Councillor Cedric Ntshangase. Ndabeni-Abrahams congratulated all beneficiaries saying: “The facility is part of the implementation of the Department’s Shared Infrastructure Facility (SEIF) programme. Through the SEIF, the Department seeks to provide small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), co-operatives, and the informal sector with decent facilities to conduct their businesses thus attracting more customers. The programme also contributes towards advancing the objectives of revitalising the township economy.” Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said her department carries a responsibility to help create an enabling environment for the development and growth of SMMEs and co-operatives in South Africa. “The informal sector is estimated to be contributing R600 billion to the GDP which is why we must provide a conducive environment for the sector to be productive and efficient. 

The National Development Plan job creation target must reach 11 million by 2030. Research indicates that about 90 percent will be created by businesses hence we are accelerating support.” Councillor Mngadi, who was speaking on behalf of eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, said: “We are happy to be able to empower local businesses as they requested structures that will restore customers dignity.” Informal trader Linda Mdluli, who is also the Chairperson of the KwaMashu Station Traders Market, said they are grateful for this facility as it will attract more customers and boost business confidence. “The old structures had no shelter and posed so many challenges for traders,” he said.