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An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa
Dissertation (MsocSc)--University of Pretoria, 2026
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1869483750167937024 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Wegerif, Marc |
| author_browse | Wegerif, Marc |
| author_facet | Wegerif, Marc |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MsocSc)--University of Pretoria, 2026 |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107972 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:03:57.474Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107972 An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa Wegerif, Marc u19366452@tuks.co.za Mokgalagadi, Thato Michelle UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Urban Food Systems Food Security Mahikeng, South Africa Street traders Fresh produce Dissertation (MsocSc)--University of Pretoria, 2026 This dissertation explores the unique and dynamic operations of street traders in Mahikeng, North-West Province, with a particular focus on their role in the fresh produce economy, the challenges they face, and their contribution to food security and livelihoods. Street trading is one of the oldest and most visible forms of informal economy in South Africa, and in Mahikeng it remains a critical survival and income generating strategy for many households. It also provides an essential food access point for urban consumers, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who depend on affordable, small-quantity purchases. The research used a qualitative approach including semi-structured interviews with street traders, direct observation of street trader activities and other nodes in the food system supplying street traders, and the tracking of fresh produce prices. The research focussed on the Mahikeng Central Cusiness District and also included the suppliers to street traders, such as wholesalers, markets and farms. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring issues, patterns, and opportunities within the data gathered. The findings reveal that street traders in Mahikeng face a number of overlapping constraints. These include a lack of permanent, serviced trading spaces; absence of cold storage facilities and shelter, which exposes goods to spoilage and weather damage; and inadequate access to basic services such as water and sanitation. Traders also reported experiences of harassment and confiscation of goods, which create insecurity in their operations. Despite these challenges, the study found that street traders are vital actors in the Mahikeng food system. They bridge the gap between formal markets and end-consumers by selling produce in small, affordable units that are accessible to poor households. From my research I have observed that street traders have lower prices on fresh produce than supermarkets. Many traders also create local employment opportunities, provide flexible credit arrangements to regular customers, and contribute to the vibrancy of the city’s public spaces. The study concludes that Mahikeng street traders are not marginal but central to urban food security, local economic development, and livelihoods. However, their potential is constrained by structural neglect and the absence of inclusive planning. Key recommendations include the designation of trading zones equipped with shelter, water, sanitation, and storage facilities. By focusing on Mahikeng, a secondary city often underrepresented in academic literature, this dissertation contributes new insights into how informal food economies sustain urban households outside of major metropolitan centres. It highlights the need for municipalities to view street traders not as obstacles to order but as partners in creating fairer and more resilient urban food systems. DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence - Food Security Anthropology, Archaeology and Development Studies MSocSc (Development Studies) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-02: Zero hunger 2026-02-09T09:47:20Z 2026-02-09T09:47:20Z 2026 2025 Dissertation * May 2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107972 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.31222756 and https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.31230322 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Urban Food Systems Food Security Mahikeng, South Africa Street traders Fresh produce An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa |
| title | An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa |
| title_full | An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa |
| title_short | An analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system: A case study in Mahikeng, South Africa |
| title_sort | analysis of the operation of street food traders selling fresh produce and their contribution to the food system a case study in mahikeng south africa |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Urban Food Systems Food Security Mahikeng, South Africa Street traders Fresh produce |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107972 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.31222756 and https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.31230322 |