Official Opening of the Bergzicht Informal Traders Market

Stellenbosch Municipality embarked on an ambitious three phase development of the Bergzicht Taxi Rank precinct in 2008 and has successfully completed phases one and two of this much needed infrastructural project. Phase 2 which includes the building of a state of the art Informal Traders Market was completed at the end of June 2010 at a cost of R8.6million.

The Informal Traders Market will be located where the previous taxi rank was situated, and this will form a controlled interface between the public garden in front of Bergzicht Heerenhuys, and the taxi rank.

A new steel roof structure will be constructed over most of the Informal Traders precinct to provide sun protection in summer and rain protection in winter, for traders and customers alike.

It will accommodate 78 full-time traders in stalls each 2.5m wide by 3.0m deep. The stalls will be set back-to-back separated by a steel mesh structure suitable for displaying goods and designed so that the width of each stall is clearly defined. Apart from the steel mesh structure, no other structures such as counters or lock-up units will be provided. Sleeves for electricity and water will be provided, but not connected.

Bergzicht Informal Traders Market is situated on the corner of Merriman Avenue and Bird Street and consists of 78 (64 with a roof cover and 14 without) bays. These bays will be allocated as per council policy on a permanent and a day-to-day basis. Thirty bays are available for day-to-day trading whilst the rest will be permanent allocations. The latter will be allocated on the basis of people with the longest years of trading in Stellenbosch to those with the least number of trading years.

Permits for these traders can be obtained from the cashiers at the treasury department situated in the main municipal building in Plein Street, Stellenbosch. The cost for day-to-day permits is R 45, 00 and weekly permits at a cost of R 225, 00 including Saturdays. Traders are allowed to trade from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 08:00 ? 18:00. No trading is allowed on Sundays.

Revision of current and future sites is in progress in order to address any shortcomings as well as future needs in order to stimulate local economic development in Stellenbosch. Adhoc applications will be made to council to address new informal trading initiatives within the Greater Stellenbosch area.

Phase 1 of the Taxi Rank was completed by the end of 2008 at a cost of R 5.8mil. This included the new layout of the taxi rank, with lanes to all local destinations, and a steel structure to shelter the taxis and commuters.

Kaulani Civils was contracted to implement the Bergzicht Taxi Rank Project: Phase 2 and the Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) link between Kayamandi and Stellenbosch CBD Project: Phase 1.

The parking layout is to be reconfigured to facilitate refuse removal and traders off-loading. The connection between the Heerenhuys and

Bird Street

is reinforced by narrow planters and a raised paved area.

A new palisade fence is to be built along the edge of the Bergzicht Heerenhuys formal garden and the parking area.

Phase 2 of the Taxi Rank included the informal trader facility, upgrading of the parking area, a new taxi wash-bay area, provision of CCTV cameras, pedestrian lighting as well as phase 1 of the NMT link between Kayamandi to Stellenbosch CBD.

A Taxi wash bay according to SABS standards will be provided

The design of Phase 3 of the Taxi Rank is now complete. The consultants are currently busy with the compilation of the tender documentation for this project. It is envisaged to advertise the tender by the middle of September 2010.

The proposed development of the AdministrationBuilding and public toilets is critical to safe and proper management of the taxi rank. The design accommodates the needs of the various functions on the rank and has been approved by all relevant stakeholders:

The Kayamandi and Stellenbosch Taxi Associations have agreed to share a meeting room, kitchen and ablution facilities, but each Association retains its own office.

The Informal Traders Association office will be provided next to the proposed ablution facilities adjacent to the Traders Market.

A meeting room with an office and ablution facility will be provided for the Indawu Yolutsha Youth Outreach Project. A facility for the soup kitchen has been provided. It is important to note that it has been agreed with this organization that no overnight facilities will be provided at the Bergzicht Taxi Rank.

The Administration building and Ablution upgrade will also include offices for the security and caretaker personnel of the StellenboschMunicipality. Furthermore, toilets for the disabled will be provided as part of the ablution upgrade.

The design of the footprint of the building has taken cognizance to reduce the impact on the adjacent Champion Tree ? a blue-gum listed with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry as a national culturally significant tree in respect of its association with meeting and market place for farm labourers during the apartheid regime

Adequate Bicycle racks, bins, benches and Pedestrian lighting will be provided. In addition an Information board explaining the significance of the champion tree will be included.

A boundary wall with security gate at the

Merriman Street

entrance to the taxi rank will be provided.