Sitting on the African renaissance. Realizing and releasing the economic potential of the informal micro-enterprise sector in South Africa: A study of the impact of the South African metropolitan Johannesburg government *policies towards the informal m

This document is a 1999/2000 study of South Africa's informal sector in the Johannesburg area, including Soweto. It places particular emphasis on street traders to determine their contribution to the survival and employment of the African population. A critique of the City of Johannesburg's Inner City Street Trading Management Strategy is made with an analysis of the government's role, both local and national, in providing market access, infrastructure, financing and regulations for the informal sector. Comparisons are made between street traders placed in city sponsored markets, other traders in tourist attraction areas and the informal manufactures located in Soweto. Quantitative surveys were conducted of street traders in 6 different locations in the Johannesburg area. Qualitative focus groups interviews were conducted with 4 groups in the Johannesburg area, including Bruma Lake, Alexandra Township, Downtown Johannesburg and Soweto. Individual interviews were conducted with government officials, and the informal taxi associations. Results were tabulated and tables and charts were produced using SAS. The study puts forth that the informal sector does contribute to the survival, sustainability and employment of the African population. It further concludes that the government is not providing adequate support to the informal sector in terms of infrastructure, financing and a regulatory environment. In addition though informal traders have had market access in the past, it is being withdrawn as new regulations prohibiting street trading are implemented. This study proposes a theoretical counter to Soft State Theory called the Fluid Sustainable State. Finally it proposes a series of national laws be passed designed to make the informal sector more prosperous and new spatial arrangements for the informal street traders.