Geza izandla: handwashing interventions in Warwick Junction

Rebecca Plumbley As the national lockdown is gradually relaxed, AeT is preparing for the reoccupation of Warwick Junction. It is pressing to consider what a return to work might look like and to put occupational health and safety measures in place to protect both informal workers and their customers. In addition to the 6000 informal … Read more

Economic Conditions in Warwick Junction

Sarah Heneck The post festive-season glow was evidently lacking in Warwick Junction in January 2020. We interviewed a number of traders in a number of the different markets and while some traders were able to proudly say that they had had a fantastic December, the majority of traders in our sample were quick to say … Read more

Enabling Structures: Markets of Warwick Junction

An exhibition on Durban’s contribution to city making, that also celebrates the diverse livelihoods represented by the markets which form a substantial part of Durban’s local economy. The exhibition Enabling Structures: Markets of Warwick Junction by designworkshop:sa and Asiye eTafuleni, was originally showcased at the 2016 International Architecture Exhibition Biennale in Venice, Italy, and viewed … Read more

Bovine Head Cooks Initiate a Clean-up

Despite informal workers’ significant contributions to the socio-economic urban fabric they experience prejudice; in particular public perception is that their working environments aren’t cared for and not kept clean. However, on the 10th July 2019, Bovine Head Cook representatives initiated a clean-up campaign of the Bovine Head Market because of the pride in their work … Read more

Film Screening of “We Came in Spring Carts”

Tasmi Quazi A documentary entitled “We Came in Spring Carts” was aired at the 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban during May 2019.  It refers to the Indian indentured labourers that were one of the very first set of traders, who used to transport their fresh produce in Spring Carts.  They were originally located at what … Read more

Warwick Junction’s Working Mothers – The Challenges of Balancing Livelihood and Childcare

Sarah Heneck Imagine this as your everyday life. You wake up at 3.30am in order to be able to bathe and get dressed before climbing on a 4am taxi to Warwick Junction. The taxi ride takes half an hour and you try to have a nap but you are interrupted by the numerous stops that … Read more

An Unnoticed Urban Curiosity

Wood salvagers transporting their materials to the mealie cooks. Photo: Angie Buckland by permission Asiye eTafuleni. Sarah Heneck Growing up in a South African city, the informal economy is something that one cannot help but be aware of, however, I have only recently been exposed to the depth and complexities of this undervalued sector of … Read more

Ma Violet and the Gatekeepers of Warwick Junction

Rhonda Douglas The lime and impepho (herb incense) market in Warwick Junction offers a cool respite from the heat of a Durban summer. Tables piled high with balls of chalky white lime and bundles of dry herbs line the open space as traders and customers pass by along a walkway through the centre. Sunlight filters … Read more

Sensitizing Informal Workers to Hearing Health

Rebecca Plumbley Last week students and educators from the University of KwaZulu-Natal held hearing screenings and diagnostic testing with around 50 informal workers in Warwick Junction, as part of a greater socio-sonic research project. This is aligned to Asiye eTafuleni’s hearing preservation programme and continued interest in health, occupational safety and social protection. UKZN students … Read more