Relocated Grand Parade Traders Get Ready for the World Cup

The Grand Parade, boasting probably the country's oldest market, is getting ready to host the FIFA Fan Fest™ from 11 June 2010 and sell proudly South African arts and crafts, as well as soccer merchandise, to the thousands of foreign visitors set to be in Cape Town over the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

For many months now, the City has been building up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ event that aims to bring thousands of locals and visitors to the Cape Town City Centre.

Alderman Felicity Purchase, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic and Social Development, said that such a big event does not come without its challenges. "One such challenge has been to find a place for traders to carry on their business while the Fan Fest is located at the Grand Parade. The Grand Parade traders are an institution in Cape Town and both the Executive Mayor and I have been determined to find a site suitable for them to trade successfully during the period of the World Cup".

City officials, mindful of the Council resolution that promised to accommodate all affected Grand Parade traders, spent many weeks negotiating with the trader associations to identify and secure suitable sites that will not only keep them connected to their regular customers, but also give them the opportunity to secure economic benefits during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

"As a result of these negotiations, the City has been able to house more than three hundred (300) traders on sites surrounding the Grand Parade. These include two lanes of Lower Plein Street between Castle and Darling Streets, one lane of Corporation Street between Longmarket and Darling Streets, the Drill Hall site behind the library and the grassed areas of the Castle. The traders have worked long and hard to make this relocation work and the City is grateful for their wisdom, support and continued input into ironing out minor glitches that arise from time to time," said Thembinkosi Siganda, the City's Director: Economic and Human Development.

"Whilst every effort was made to accommodate all traders, it is unfortunate that the City, whilst sympathetic towards their plight, has not been able to accommodate the displaced station deck traders who are awaiting the completion of the upper deck trading area, a major upgrade being undertaken by Intersite", Alderman Purchase added.

All identified Grand Parade traders have been individually permitted for the period 1 May to 18 July 2010, whereafter they will return to the Grand Parade. For those traders whose products may hold little appeal for soccer fans, sponsors, through the event organisers Grand World Vision are looking into options to sell football- related products so the traders don't lose out on any trading opportunities. The City also plans to offer training to traders in the coming week to enhance their skills in dealing with large numbers of people moving through their markets.

"Marquees will be set up to enhance the look and feel of the FIFA Fan Fest™ and to create a festive atmosphere. This will also provide everyone with much needed protection against the winter weather. Trading will take place between 11:00 and 23:00 every day of the week. There will also be lighting, 24 hour security and fencing to safeguard both traders and the public", said Riedewaan Charles, spokesperson of the Western Cape Traders Coalition.

Note: Photos of the traders are available on request from media@capetown.gov.za

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town