Street vending in Zimbabwe : an urban scourge or viable enterprise

Abstract

This paper investigated the efficacy of street vending as a means for achieving economic sustenance by those engaged in the business with special interest to those operating in the central business district of Harare. A sample of 225 street vendors was decided on and questionnaires were used to gather data. The questionnaires had a response rate of 89.7%. The paper also adopted the descriptive research design. The study found that most of the street vendors understudy are earning less than $2 per day which is very low. Moreover, the majority cannot afford decent homes and are renting or still living with their parents and relatives. The study also found that street vending could be a means for achieving economic sustenance by those engaged in the business if proper support structures are put in place by the government.