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informal tradinglatest news & developments
According to Statistics South Africa’s most recent quarterly labour force survey, there were almost three million workers in the informal sector at the end of 2019. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Children who trade are an important part of the economy

The government should do more to develop and upskill these young entrepreneurs who are already street smart

Choices: A woman selling hairpiece waits for potential customers (Dahlia Maubane)

‘Woza Sisi’ tracks the ways of street hairstylists

Photographer and graphic designer Dahlia Maubane tracks the ways of street hairstylists as insight on how women use and negotiate urban spaces.

On display: Most hair salons, including this one in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, have photographs of celebrities and models on their walls and in their windows, as well as the prices for the different styles. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Hair-raising six hours every six weeks

The writer spends some hours visiting a hair salon where clients have the options to dye, curl, braid, relax, straighten, extend, or cut their hair.

Professor Steve Tollman

Used clothing industry oils the informal economy

Johannesburg’s hub of second-hand garment traders – run under the leadership of the African Traders Organisation – woos trendy and indigent customers.

Home Affairs is on the up

But the thriving informal economy situated near the department’s Marabastad offices is now feeling the pinch, thanks to its increased efficiency.

South Africa ranked 59th out of 113 countries and first out of 28 Sub-Saharan African countries in the Economist Impact Global Food Security Index in 2022. (File photo)

Microcredit: A principal cause of poverty in SA

Hailed as the panacea for poverty in South Africa, microcredit has instead resulted in a spike in poverty, writes Milford Bateman.

Tough times fire up avid US bartering network

While America’s economy may best be known for its ultra-capitalist ways, local bartering between tradesmen is as trendy today as ever.

Trading markets for malls

”The authorities still think we are dirty, uneducated and can’t make decisions for ourselves”