Surviving the Pandemic: The Resilience of Informal Food Traders During Covid-19
Surviving the Pandemic: The Resilience of Informal Food Traders During Covid-19

Summary/Abstract: This study aims to investigate the challenges faced by informal food traders in Nongoma Local Municipality during the COVID-19 outbreak and examine their coping mechanisms. It seeks to understand the impact of the pandemic on their livelihoods and identify strategies for resilience. Theoretical Framework: The research employs the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, which emphasises the importance of various assets (human, financial, social, physical and natural) in building resilience and sustaining livelihoods. This framework provides a lens to analyse how informal traders utilise these assets to navigate challenges. Method: The study adopts a qualitative methodology, conducting observations and semi-structured interviews with 12 informal traders. The research design is exploratory, aiming to fill knowledge gaps in this area. Data collection occurred in April 2024, with thematic analysis used to interpret findings. Results and Discussion: Findings reveal significant challenges faced by traders, including limited government support, inadequate operating capital, adverse weather conditions and increased competition. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to business closures and income loss. Despite these obstacles, traders demonstrated resilience by adapting their business models, prioritising customer satisfaction and implementing safety measures. The study underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to support informal traders, improve infrastructure and enhance access to financial resources. It suggests a more inclusive approach to urban planning and economic development that recognises the importance of the informal sector. This research contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of informal food trading in rural South Africa, particularly in the context of a global pandemic. It fills a gap in the literature by focusing on a specific local context and providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges and strategies employed by informal traders in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

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