Dear Editor,
It was pleasing to see the Vreed-en-Hoop vendors were given some reprieve (Christmas lifeline) and can remain at the location at least during the Christmas season (KN Nov 13). Good sense has prevailed.
For several days recently, there have been reports of vendors plying their trade on the roadside, in various locations on the west side, receiving three days notice to vacate the respective locations, with, it is claimed, no alternative arrangements put in place on relocation.
Three days notice!
Vendors were quite rightly up in arms with the notice as they had invested heavily and stock up for the Christmas season. Where are they to go to ply their trade was the question on everyone’s mind. The sudden, it seems, three days notice to pack up and leave with no alternative arrangements offered for these persons to continue their livelihood, was not only insensitive but reminiscent of that other closure, not so long ago, which displaced thousands with no alternative arrangements put in place.
In the case of the Vreed-en-Hoop lifeline it was reported of chaos, finger pointing and the usual blame game which follows when a tangled web is weaved. It is hoped vendors in other communities faced with the dilemma will also see good sense prevailing and they too are given a lifeline. At the end arrangements must be put in place to accommodate these persons, since vending is here to stay and a way of life for many.