Zimbabwe's vendor economy

Zimbabwe's informal sector has grown considerably after the closure of many industries and companies in the last few years due to economic decline. Close to a 1000 companies have closed shop after the 2013 harmonised elections. The controversial elections saw President Mugabe and his ZANU PF party win against Morgan Tsvangirai's MDCT. Soon after the controversial elections there was an outflow of capital from the country and the economy has continued to decline. As much as 10000 workers have lost their jobs and resorted to selling products on the pavements of Harare streets and this is a common sight across the country.

The common trader on the street is looking for the elusive U.S. dollar since the economy dollarised in 2009. The decision to dollarise the economy followed months of hyperinflation running into trillions of percentage points and the printing of trillion dollar notes. The record breaking notes are selling on eBay.

The vendors beleive that all the money and the business is in the central business district (CBD), they travel from far and wide to sell their merchandise amid a growing and competitive vendor market. It is the lack of regulation which has caused vendors to set up outside the main shops and supermarkets offering the same products which are being sold inside. The streets appear crowded with wares displayed on the pavements so much that navigating the streets now requires some ducking skills to avoid stepping on the merchandise. 

Parliament is beginning to make noises about getting rid of the vendors as they have become an 'eyesore' and bad for tourism. Some vendors come from outside Harare to participate on the marketplace. So much competition to sell so little low value items. You have to admire the fighting spirit of Zimbabweans but this is one activity where brilliant minds are being wasted by a sociopolitical system which thrives on the poverty of the many. 

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