Traders score big from Cup

A study commissioned by the City of Joburg's economic development unit in 2003, analysing economic activity levels in Soweto, puts the combined annual buying power of residents at more than R10.5-billion - of which only about 24% was being spent in the township.

However, the World Cup has seen a number of residents splurging.

Informal and formal Soweto businesses have also scored from the influx of tourists.

"In the last five days, I've sold a number of items to people from Johannesburg's northern suburbs, Cape Town, and Durban," said Tony Maimde, a crafts trader outside the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto.

Maimde, who has seen his profits increase from R300 a day to R1700 a day since Tuesday last week, said most of the local trade had followed the international visitors into the township.

However, he said his main customers had been South Africans.

On Youth Day this week, Maimde pocketed almost R2900 in eight hours. A neighbouring trader, Sanele Khambule, and his three partners have been taking about R1500 a day each at their pavement stalls.

The makeshift traders market opposite the memorial caters for more than 30 informal traders.

Sakhumzi Restaurant, an estimated 350-seater restaurant near former president Nelson Mandela's home in Soweto's Vilakazi Street, has been fully booked on most evenings.

On the same street, Nambitha Restaurant, a 300-seater establishment, has also been drawing large numbers of international visitors.