Vendors Initiative 1/2 In many cities across Zimbabwe and Harare in particular, the operating environment for vendors with disabilities is not friendly as they face accessibility challenges to markets with high traffic volume.

Vendors Initiative 2/2 More so, while majority of them operate on pavements, road spaces or bus termini, those spaces usually don’t have the ablution facilities and if available in most cases are not friendly to vendors with disabilities.

Vendors Initiative PWDs faced a number of challenges during the lockdown. Some include challenges to access supply markets, disrupted market linkages with their clients resulting in massive loss of income. In some cases, their markets were demolished by the Local Authorities.

Vendors Initiative 1/2 New market development is critical to address the issue market space shortages. However, what is important is for the LAs to ensure those new market space have the necessary ancillary infrastructure which include toilets, storage facilities, water, lightning & waste bins.

Vendors Initiative 2/2 Most importantly, the design and construction of all these facilities must factor in the needs of PWDs so that they equally benefit from the services.

Vendors Initiative The current state of accessibility of public buildings & transport for vendors wt disabilities need urgent attention as they are not user friendly. It is encouraging however that some public buildings are being re-designing & re-constructed to ensure easy accessibility for PWDs.

Vendors Initiative With regard to markets, were ancillary facilities are available they are in a dilapidated state and require urgent refurbishment. In many spaces were PWDs operate in, there is no ancillary facilities to talk about, hence the need to urgently address this challenge.

Vendors Initiative PWDs should be given an equal platform to effectively participate in all Council meetings e.g budget making as well as in design and planning processes. This also entails that they need to organize themselves so that they can significantly contribute in the planning processes.

Vendors Initiative There is a huge gap in terms of access to information regarding the vaccination programme. More awareness is needed, targeting especially PWDs so that they can make informed decisions.

Vendors Initiative Urban Local Authorities should adopt a ‘rights-based approach’ to development, based on the right-to-the-city paradigm which argues for the rights of all urban inhabitants to access the benefits of urban life, including informal traders with disabilities.

HAPPENING NOW... Demolitions continue to happen at Gazaland shopping centre in Highfield. Thousands of informal traders are counting loses. Vendors Initiative 263Chat.com 🇿🇼

#VisitHarare and enjoy the Jacaranda season

The High Court has nullified local government minister July Moyo's attempt to suspend Harare mayor Jacob Mafume for the fourth time. #263Chat

Only tried and tested models that save the interest of residents and respect the 'right to the city' can be replicated. herald.co.zw/pomona-model-t…

Harare's Urban Renewal Breakfast Meeting: A Vision for Transformation In a groundbreaking initiative, the City of Harare is joining forces with the Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe (IAZ) to unveil a strategic vision for urban renewal. The exclusive breakfast meeting,

Recently, the Government ordered Local Authorities to develop masterplans by June 2024. Following this, a number of people on "illegal" settlements are facing evictions. Here are procedures you can follow to acquire a residential stand in Harare: shorturl.at/fwFHO

It's so disheartening to note that genuine home-seekers continue to lose their hard-earned money at the hands of bogus land developers in cahoots with corrupt city officials. Here is a guide of how to acquire a residential stand in Harare: shorturl.at/zRw5Y