By Brenda Kayo:
People’s Party president Joyce Banda has appealed to vendors in Malawi to resist being used by politicians to perpetrate violence during the campaign period.
Banda made the call Tuesday during a meeting with vendors in Lilongwe.
According to Banda, violence can only harm the vendors’ businesses and, instead, she urged them to focus on promoting their enterprises.
She acknowledged that vendors face numerous challenges and announced her party’s new policy aimed at supporting them.
- Advertisement -
The policy includes providing cash-for-work to Malawians who will undertake small projects in their communities.
Additionally, Banda disclosed that her party will offer microfinance to vendors to help boost their businesses.
“No country will thrive if vendors are left behind. If people in the informal sector and [small and medium enterprises] are left behind, there is no way a country can prosper,” Banda said.
A vendor from Lilongwe Central Market, John Ben, expressed concern over politicians’ failed promises to improve the lives of market vendors.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
“We are tired of being used by politicians. They promise us solutions that will help us, but when they are elected, they forget about us.
“This time, we will make sure we are not used. We will protect our businesses and ensure that our voices are heard,” Ben said.
Among other things, the vendors expressed concerns that they are being neglected on issues such as loans, market sanitation and forex shortages.
