Guest blog: Marcellin Gasana - Street hawkers
This blog post was written by Marcellin from Rwanda. The views expressed are his own and do not reflect those of the wider ´óÏó´«Ã½.
The city of Kigali is growing at an appealing pace, with new buildings taking shape in a town that was once worn-out by the 1994 genocide and war. Progress is seen in many sectors, for instance the nine year basic education programme. This allows every Rwandan child to have free access to education, with their parents participating in the construction of classrooms. We're seeing progress in social infrastructures too, which are currently getting a face-lift, not just in the City, but across the country.
This for sure, shows that Rwanda is on the right track towards a brighter future. But there is one group of people that complains of being left behind: street hawkers.This is an informal business sector that exists in all developing countries around the globe; given that it helps poor communities (especially widows and abandoned wives) feed their children by selling fruits and vegetables on the street. But there's a one hundred per cent risk of hawkers getting caught by policemen, and having all their commodities confiscated. Where do they go? No one knows, because whoever is caught is sent to jail for three to seven days. When they're released, they leave empty handed.
In its effort to end tax evasion, the government of Rwanda has enacted a law prohibiting street vending. It says such businesses impede the country's economic growth, as they are not registered and therefore don't pay taxes. Besides, with street vendors mingled in with minibuses and hundreds of motorcycles in such a small town, city officials say they have no choice but use force, since vendors don't want to operate in markets the state constructed for them as alternative.
"The so-called markets are built far from downtown, and this is where most clients are found, especially at peak-hours" one female street vendor told me. She said she'll never give up as this is the only way to get by and look after her kids. Another street hawker, a man, who sells tobacco and sweets on the road opposite my work place, told me that the rent for a stand in a market is higher than their actual income. He said they've got no alternative but to sell their wares on the street, and play a cat and mouse game with policemen.
In a developing country like Rwanda, I guess everyone has the right to earn a living, as long as it's not harmful to society. In my opinion, street vendors don't just earn a living, they also help poor communities by providing cheap goods. Besides, if policemen go on chasing these poor women selling fruits (they call it keeping the city clean) hundreds will starve, and children from poor families will drop out of school. Result? Beggars and shoplifters roaming the streets of Kigali. Is this what we want?
