Cape Town’s Mobile Business Boom: A New Era for Entrepreneurs

Cape Town is taking bold steps towards embracing the growth of the mobile business sector, with an initiative that allows residents to shape its future. From May 15 to June 15, 2023, the City is inviting the public to weigh in on the proposed locations for 69 mobile business trading areas that would cater to food trucks, trailers, and other portable services. This initiative is a crucial step in the City’s plan to support various business sectors and stimulate economic growth.

Drafting a Mobile Business Policy

To kick-start the process, the City developed a draft Mobile Business Policy in conjunction with amendments to the Informal Trading By-law. The proposed policy aims to facilitate and nurture the burgeoning mobile business industry, which has gained significant popularity in recent years. Mobile businesses offer entrepreneurs unique opportunities for growth and flexibility, such as food trucks, barber shops, and clothing stores.

Public Participation Process

During the public participation process, stakeholders can visit the City’s website to explore the proposed sites for mobile business trading areas. These proposals provide detailed information on the number of bays per site, location specifics, and general terms and conditions for operation. This move towards transparency ensures that the public is well-informed and can make educated decisions when providing feedback.

Encouraging Public Participation

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, acknowledges the increasing popularity of mobile businesses and the need to accommodate this trend. Last year, the City embarked on a journey to draft its first-ever Mobile Business Policy, which was opened for public comment. The policy is now in place, and the next steps involve implementing a by-law to authorize mobile business permitting and establishing designated trading areas.

The City encourages the public to share their thoughts and comments on the proposed locations through the online Have Your Say page or by email at Mobile.BusinessPolicy@capetown.gov.za. This invitation to participate ensures that the process is a shared and collaborative effort, benefiting all members of the community.

Finalizing the Policy

Once the public participation process is complete, the proposed amendments to the Informal Trading By-law will be discussed. The finalized policy, together with the approved mobile business trading areas, will then be presented to the Portfolio Committee, the Mayoral Committee meeting, and the Council for consideration and approval.

A Promising Future

Cape Town’s proactive approach to fostering the mobile business sector demonstrates its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and adapting to the evolving needs of its residents. This new era of business growth holds much promise for the city and its people. With proper planning and implementation, as well as valuable input from the public, Cape Town can expect to see a thriving mobile business landscape that contributes to both the economy and the community’s vibrancy.