Vendors upset with VG Fair committee
By Pauline Holdijk & Bram Janssen
High Street vendors like Felix Ngameni are very upset with the way the Village Green Fair Organising committee is handling their administration: “I was supposed to have a different spot here on High Street but they sold it to someone who paid more. I don’t know what to do now, I just want the spot I was promised.” Another trader, Germaine Mukungli, has a proof of payment (R250) to show but no space in High Street. “My name does not appear on the registrations list and now I can’t sell anything.”
Besides these administrative problems is the change of scenery. Village Green is now at the Rhodes Great Field and the Container Village at the Fiddler’s Green (where the Village Green used to be). But the High Street vendors are still around, its just that trading has slowed down because the Church Square (where the Container Village used to be) is now dead empty.
Have Your Say: market relocation
High Street vendor P.J. Jack says the relocations are very confusing for his customers. “I’ve had a stand at the market for over ten years and before people knew where they could find me. Now they don’t know where to go and buy our goods. People are disorientated about the whereabouts of the shops.”
However, shopper Noloyiso Ngcikwe doesn’t see the problem. “This street is a fine location to shop. As long as it is in G’town I don’t care. The vendors have no reason to complain as long as they have space.” Regular customer Loradi DeVilliers is positive about the changes: “There is more space here and I feel much safer then before. First it was too crowded, it made me feel unsafe.”
Unfortunately the Village Green Fair organising committee has not been answering calls consistently made by CueBlog reporters.
If you have any additional news about the administrative issues or relocation, please phone the newsroom on 046 603 7143.
Pics: Bram Janssen
