Tasmi Quazi A common myth is that the “formal” and “informal” economies are two distinct realities that function separately; economically and spatially. Although the distinction itself is riddled with a lack of clarity and contention, value chain analyses of specific sectors has shown that the two are linked. Moreover, there are many thriving spatial examples … Read more
By Tasmi Quazi Patrick Ndlovu is the co-founder and Senior Project Officer of Asiye eTafuleni (AeT). Due to his extensive experience of working with informal workers, in Durban’s inner-city in particular, he is regarded as one of the most skilled social facilitators globally within the development domain of the informal economy. Below is a personal … Read more
Tasmi Quazi is the Research Officer of Asiye eTafuleni (AeT). She has a master’s degree in Development Studies, and a background in architecture and design, particularly community-based approaches. Her master’s thesis titled “Municipal Approaches to Incorporating the Informal Economy into the Urban Fabric: A Case Study of Msunduzi Local Municipality and Hibiscus Coast Municipality” has … Read more
Written by Tasmi Quazi, Photographs by Tasmi Quazi, Andile Ndlovu & Ntombizandile Krakra What was an ordinary start of the month for most, was a jubilant one for a group of inner-city recyclers of Durban, South Africa. To honour Global Waste Pickers’ Day (also called Global Recyclers’ Day) on the 1st of March, the Pine … Read more
Written by Tasmi Quazi, Photographs by Tasmi Quazi & Phumzile Xulu Since its inception, Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) has engaged the interest of various tertiary institutions in learning about inclusive urban design and development with the informal economy. This interest however has deepened and intensified from 2013. Five different educational institutions, local and international, have bought … Read more
Tasmi Quazi Last year’s national trial examination paper for Grade 12, 2012 (final year of High School) geography learners, contained an entire section worth of questions on the ‘informal sector’. The section was worth 28 marks out of the 100 marks allocated per question. An experienced educator’s aspiration is not only to broaden the minds … Read more
By Tasmi Quazi Last week, two Professors and eight students from Goucher College based in Baltimore, USA, spent two and a half days with Asiye eTafuleni (AeT). The visit to urban and rural grass roots organisations in South Africa was designed as part of experiential learning for a course in “Civil Society and Social Change”. … Read more
By Tasmi Quazi & Richard Dobson Paper presented at the eThekwini-University Research Symposium on 19 September 2012 NPO Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) was commissioned by eThekwini Municipality’s Imagine Durban Project to implement a pilot project to test ways of improving the livelihoods of existing waste pickers operating in Durban, South Africa. By referring to this case … Read more
Compiled by Tasmi Quazi As part of its dissemination strategy, Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) has welcomed the challenge of presenting its project work to interested audiences, particularly students. This is because of AeT’s belief that a young audience can influence and contribute significantly to the future assimilation of informal workers into urban environments. Accordingly, close to … Read more