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Beaded jewellery on a stall.
Despite today being one of the busiest days of the year, street vendors around Cape Town City Hall report slow business.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver his first State of the Nation Address under the government of national unity (GNU).
Street vendors in and around Cape Town’s City Hall say business is slow despite today being one of the busiest days of the year.
These vendors say, they were hoping to make a fortune from this event but windy weather conditions and several road closures have negatively affected their business.
“Business is very slow … I was hoping that I would make money but it is quiet. This business is my only source of income. I’m supporting my family through this business and also paying school fees for my children.”
In his previous State of the Nation address, the President encouraged citizens to open their own businesses and create jobs.
South Africa’s unemployment rate continues to soar with the national unemployment rate standing at 32,1% in the third quarter of 2023.
Another street vendor says he will be closing early today. “There’s no money today, people are not buying. Even yesterday it was slow.”
Meanwhile, youth unemployment is at 45,5%.
Ramaphosa is expected to address the high unemployment rate, slow economic growth, crime, high cost of living and infrastructure development amongst other things.
