Bellville’s busy CBD was far quieter than usual on Tuesday, 30 June, as many informal traders stayed away from their stalls.
According to EWN, taxis and buses were still operating as normal at the Bellville transport interchange.
But the pavements, usually packed with informal traders and pedestrians, were noticeably empty during the early morning rush.
The report said the most visible absences were Zimbabwean informal traders, while shops owned by Somalis continued operating.
The quiet scenes came on a day marked by tension around planned action linked to undocumented foreign nationals.
South African traders step in
With many foreign traders absent, some South African informal traders said they were enjoying a rare business boost.
Swazi Jaxa said local traders had stepped into the gap and were receiving more customers than usual.
“Today is a happy day for us because we are only South Africans that are selling today,” Jaxa said.
She said South African informal business owners in Bellville had struggled for years because of competition at the taxi rank.
Jaxa described the day as “Christmas in the middle of the year”.
Traders speak of long struggle
Jaxa said business had been difficult for a long time.
She claimed South African traders had not experienced such strong customer support since 2014.
“It’s been difficult for a long, long time. We haven’t received such a warm welcoming of customers since 2014,” she said.
Her comments reflected the pressure some local informal traders say they face in crowded trading spaces.
Bellville’s transport hub is one of Cape Town’s busiest commuter points, making pavement space valuable for small traders.
Foreign business owner worried
While some South African traders welcomed the quieter streets, foreign business owners remained anxious.
EWN reported that Ethiopian businessman Yeshak Yusuf, who was parked outside his shop, expressed concern about xenophobic tensions.
He also raised concern about what 30 June meant for him and his family.
The scenes in Bellville highlighted the sharp divide between traders who saw new business opportunities and foreign nationals worried about safety.
The day also showed how national tensions around migration can quickly affect local businesses, especially in busy transport and trading hubs.