A space in Kayamandi recently renovated to the value of R4.7 million, and aimed at creating a trade and tourism space within this community, still remains largely unused. This was confirmed by Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality.
The Kayamandi Economic and Tourism Corridor hosts 20 formal rental spaces as well as 13 informal spaces. Currently, the number of tenants amounts to five, while four spaces are occupied by Stellenbosch Ward 4 members, according to Grobbelaar.
The renovations to the corridor were completed by the municipality in November of 2022, according to Grobbelaar. The renovations consisted of “the complete replacement of the exterior walls and fencing, and the repair of all structural damages” as well as many other improvements, stated Grobbelaar.
Inside the Kayamandi Economic and Tourism corridor. This is one of the first areas one walks into when entering through the main gate of this recently renovated trading space in Kayamandi. On the far side are several stores with locked gates. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken
Little benefits, claim community members
The people of Kayamandi “get nothing from the corridor”, claimed Zola Madiba Ndalasi, community leader. Even before starting the renovations of the corridor, the people of Kayamandi were not properly informed, he claimed.
They are frustrated that there are spaces that still stand empty when they are in need of a safe place to sell our goods, said Jacob Masoma, a community member who sells African herbs down the road from the corridor.
With regards to the application process, a document must be submitted with the business idea or concept, as well as an indication of the rental space the individual, organisation or company would like to occupy, stated Grobelaar. “The objective of the criteria is to ensure that sustainable businesses are given rental space,” he added.
The Kayamandi Economic and Tourism corridor is visible on the left of this image. Pedestrians and street vendors operate across the road (on the right). At the bottom of the road, Jacob Mosona sells African herbs. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken
Applications currently being processed
Several more applications for rental space are currently being processed, said Grobbelaar.
“Restoring the corridor and ensuring that it is a safe, sustainable, and modern facility to unlock economic opportunities was a priority for the current [municipal] administration,” said Grobbelaar. The corridor, before the renovations, was intended for the objective of boosting economic opportunity and tourism, but “for years, the facilities were vandalised and criminal activity hampered any attempt to stimulate economic activity”, he added.
Ndalasi claimed that he had only seen people working temporary jobs in the corridor. However, the municipality has outlined their plan to fill the empty spaces.
“The Municipalities Local Economic Development (LED) Department has now embarked on a project to advertise the available spaces and opportunities at the corridor to small business owners, vendors, and entrepreneurs in the area,” stated Grobbelaar.
Most of the stalls inside the Kayamandi Economic and Tourism corridor are still empty after extensive renovations in 2022. This was confirmed by Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken