Vuk’ uphande!: re-imagining a new multi-skilled trading space in the township of Bekkersdal to economically and socially uplift informal businesses.
Date
2022
Authors
Mawelela, Anele
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Abstract
‘Vuk’ uphande!’ a South African slang
word that means ‘wake up and hustle’,
commonly used by those that identify as
hustlers. Informal traders are an expression
of this term as they are individuals
that trade in the streets for survival means.
This research report intends to study
the issue of informal businesses and use
the positive socio-economic aspects
of such businesses in the township of
Bekkersdal, west region of Gauteng,
South Africa, by creating appropriate
infrastructure and allow for skills
development that will help uplift and
enhance the community’s growth.
In South Africa, informal businesses play
a signifi cant role in creating jobs (Stats
SA reported 754,000 jobs gained through
informal employment) and ensuring that
those who are less privileged in society
are able to generate income. Through
their engagement in business in the informal
sector, they are able to survive
and strive when a country is facing economic
recession. According to Survey
of Employers and Self-Employed (SESE),
it estimated about 70% population of
people is employed in the informal sector
due to lack of formal employment.
The research will be conducted through
interviews, mapping and literature reviews
by analysing and studying of good-trading
value chains that is knowledgeable by
small scale traders in Bekkersdal township.
The expected outcomes of this study is
to bring forth an architectural proposal
that will help uplift and enhance the
existing trading activities and as well
present new functions of skills development
and learning to support a greater
context of Bekkersdal informal traders.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters ofArchitecture (Professional)