The Coalition for Informal Economy Associations in Eswatini (CIEAES) is one of the new affiliates organizations that recently joined StreetNet, officially becoming part of our global alliance in March 2024. It is based on eSwatini, a small country in southern Africa, bordering Mozambique and South Africa. We had a chat with comrade Mathokoza Sikhondze, National Coordinator of CIEAES, about the history and future of the organization.

Comrade Mathokoza, can you tell us something about your organization?

The mission of CIEAES is to advocate for the rights and welfare of informal economy workers in eSwatini. They aim to provide support and resources to these workers, helping them to secure better working conditions and economic opportunities. Through grassroots organizing and strategic partnerships, CIEAES strives to empower their members and influence policy changes at both the national and regional levels.

CIEAES has 84 member associations, from several areas of the country, and around fifteen thousand members, and is still growing. We represent various sectors: from street vending and informal trade, to domestic work, to agriculture. It was founded in 2006. Initially we were perceived by the government as a threat, as a potential problem for them. At the moment, we have a very good relationship with the authorities throughout the country.

What are the main activities that CIEAS has undertaken in cooperation with the government?

Lately we have focused a lot on social protection, one of the main issues for informal economy workers all around the world. We have been working together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The results of a study we participated in were published in December 2023, in a report focusing on the extension of social protection to informal economy workers, a kind of preliminary study for the government of the country. It was important for us, as representatives of workers, to participate. What we noticed is that one of the main challenges for vendors is the discontinuity of their contribution: this is linked to the precarious nature of their business. Informal traders cannot always afford to pay regularly, as they do not have a stable and guaranteed income, unlike their counterparts in the formal economy.

Members of CIEAES. Credits: CIEAES

What other projects or areas have you worked on, apart from social protection?

In CIEAES there are several women-led cooperatives formed and managed by street vendors.Such cooperatives are born on an informal basis. Women share their royalties to develop their business and sustain expenses. The union is assisting in formalizing such cooperatives, keeping a registry and helping find innovative ways to grow their business. Another area we have been very active in is informal cross border trade. Several of our members are cross border traders, and they work between eSwatini and Mozambique or South Africa.

One of the primary challenges faced in informal cross-border trade is the lack of proper documentation and legal recognition, which can lead to frequent harassment and exploitation by border officials. Additionally, traders often struggle with fluctuating exchange rates and tariffs that can unpredictably affect their profits. Limited access to finance and support networks also hampers their ability to scale up their businesses and compete in larger markets.

Consultation for simplified trade regimes in eSwatini. Credits: CIEAES

In Mozambique, one of the main problems is that the country is not part of Comesa, the common market. Plus, there is a language barrier. Traders often take a long time to go through customs formalities. In South Africa the problem is different and it mainly has to do with prices of the goods, and a disadvantageous exchange rate. We have been working on a project which ended in December 2023, to simplify border formalities in particular with Mozambique.

What initiatives are you working on at the moment?

We are following up on the social protection and cross border trade issues. We are also very proud to be admitted to StreetNet and to be part of an international network. We are planning an event with the municipality of Mbabane. The event aims to foster dialogue between street vendors and local authorities to address pressing issues such as licensing, market access, and infrastructure improvements. We also hope to provide a platform for vendors to share their experiences and challenges, while exploring potential collaborations with local businesses and stakeholders. Ultimately, our goal is to create a more supportive and sustainable environment for street vendors in Mbabane.

What do you expect from being part of the StreetNet family?

As new affiliates of StreetNet International, we seek assistance in lobbying for the rights of informal economy workers and developing the capacity of our members to effectively advocate for their positions. We aim to amplify our voices at both local and national levels, ensuring meaningful participation in relevant forums. Additionally, we request support in raising our concerns globally to gain solidarity from partners. Finally, we seek help in enhancing our members’ business skills, financial literacy, and ability to transition their businesses from informal to formal, and support in establishing strong cooperatives.

(Cover image: advocating for the simplified trade regimes. Credits: Mathokoza Sikhondze)