Vendors move to K400m Goliati Market in Thyolo

Two years after the completion of the K400 million Goliati Market in Thyolo District, vendors have now moved in.

Following its completion, vendors snubbed going into the market as they demanded a brick fence, drainage system and borehole, among others, and they still continued plying their trade in the streets.

But in an interview on Saturday, Goliati Market vendors vice-chairperson Felix Tambwali said they were compelled to move into the market after discussions with the district council.

He said: “The discussions with the district council was so insightful that we agreed that we move into the market.

“The vendors still plying their businesses on the streets at are not many as compared to those who moved into the market.”

Tambwali said the market committee will continue sensitising their colleagues that are yet to move into the market to do so, stressing that it is a safe environment as compared to street vending.

In a separate interview, one of the vendors, Esnarth Mathiya, said the new market is conducive as compared to selling their merchandise on the streets.

“Even the sanitation inside the market is good for business,” she said.

Thyolo district commissioner Hudson Kuphanga said the council is pleased that they convinced the vendors to move into the market.

“Soon, we are expecting to roll out electronic ticketing system to easily collect money from the vendors,” he said.