THE UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR: STREET HAWKING IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Within South African studies there has emerged a school of "urban research from below" stressing studies of the world of and economic existence of the "ordinary" or "common people" in the city. The present paper constitutes an exploration of the historical geography of the urban informal sector in South Africa, investigating the underdevelopment and changing complexion of street trading activities. The roots of a long-established tradition of state anti-street trader policies are examined, and the post-1976 policy shift from repression to tolerance of street traders is highlighted. The pattern of successes and failures of attempts by communities of black hawkers to invade areas ostensibly declared to be "white" urban space are chronicled.