The reconstruction of the Khubetsoana local market in Maseru is set to significantly impact the 21 small businesses operating there, due to the market’s urgent need for repairs.
The Maseru City Council (MCC), which oversees local markets under the Local Government Act of 1997 (as amended), has announced plans to demolish and rebuild the market to address its current state of disrepair.
The closure of these businesses during the construction phase not only threatens the livelihoods of the entrepreneurs but also impacts the broader community.
The MCC’s goal is to replace the outdated market, which has been operational since it was handed over by the Ministry of Interior in 1989, with a modern facility that would better cater to both vendors and customers.
“The market, inherited from the former Ministry of Interior in 1989, has become outdated and is in disrepair. Nevertheless, it continues to host twenty-one small enterprises, supporting livelihoods and serving the community,” MCC stated in a statement.
However, local business owners have expressed significant concerns about the upcoming changes. They highlighted the lack of clear communication from the council regarding demolition timelines, which is crucial for planning relocations.
Mokonyane Sehahloe, who has been renting space there since 2011, noted, “This initiative has been promised for years with little action. We are skeptical about the information we are given.”
Entrepreneurs at the market pointed out several ongoing issues due to inadequate infrastructure, including the absence of basic amenities like clean water and proper restroom facilities.
Some said they have independently arranged for electricity, while others still operate without this essential service. Security is another major concern, with tenants often having to repair doors and install additional security measures due to frequent break-ins.
At the time of publication on Thursday, MCC’s Public Relations Officer, Lintle Bless Mosala, was unavailable for comment.
The MCC, according to its earlier statement, has decided to proceed with the project through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This approach involves engaging a private partner who will take full responsibility for the project’s conceptualisation, financing, and execution.
The PPP model includes designing a new market structure, demolishing the current facility, constructing and managing the new market, and eventually transferring the ownership back to the MCC.
The private partner will also conduct technical, financial, and operational feasibility studies, develop an environmental management plan for sustainability, and secure all necessary financing.
Bidders for this project must either be locally registered or form a Joint Venture with locally registered firms, to ensure local involvement in the project.
Development Journalist specialising in the reporting of social, economic, and environmental issues. He analyses the impact of policies and programs on communities, along with other factors that influence community well-being. In addition to his journalism endeavors, he is an accomplished photojournalist, capturing compelling images that complement his narratives. Masoabi is also an audio storytelling podcaster, having earned certification from the Knight Centre for Journalism, affiliated with the University of Texas, United States.
