As the 15th BRICS Summit enters its second day at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, we bring our microphone to the street vendors who express their optimism although businesses are still slow.
Despite the persisting sluggishness in business activity, there is a sense of optimism that things will improve as the day unfolds. However, several small business owners believe that the summit had no positive impact on their operations.
According to a Kenyan merchant who sells various traditional souvenirs, unlike the previous BRICS Summit, there is little to celebrate this time around.
“Business is still slow. As you can see, people aren’t buying. During the last summit, by this time, all my items were sold out. But now I don’t know what is happening,” he adds.
Another vendor who identified himself as John has blamed the slow start to the global poor economic condition.
“Many people have lost jobs that’s why even during this summit you don’t see many coming to buy,” he adds.
Meanwhile, those who are selling food say their business is booming.
52-year-old Joyce Mokoena says since Saturday, her business has been doing well. She adds that over the weekend she was forced to close early than her usual time because all her food items were sold out.
“At the weekend, I had to close early because people were coming to buy in larger numbers. From law enforcement officers to foreign journalists everyone was here looking for food,” adds Mokoena.
She adds that she has since increased her stock to avoid missing out on profit.
Wednesday’s BRICS programme kicks off at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
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