Abstract:
The aim of this paper was to examine from the perspective of street
vendors how they are fighting poverty and the extent of winning this
endemic cankerworm. The findings of this paper are informed by a
study carried in 2007 on poverty and street vendors in Lesotho.
Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used as data
collection instruments for the study. The findings show that many
street vendors perceived poverty as the satisfaction of basic household
needs and some see it as the level of household income. Furthermore,
the findings reveal that below half of the respondents prior to joining
street vending were meeting their basic needs. After involving in this
activity, more than half indicated that they were satisfied with
children’s educational needs and household food. Similarly, they
reported that their life expectations were met and their current life
status has improved, notwithstanding the small amount of income
they make daily. The paper concludes that street vending is not a
panacea for poverty as some vendors indicated signs of dissatisfaction.
However, many had improved their lives and households from street
vending. Nonetheless, street vending has its own setbacks, resulting
from government intervention policy and other circumstances.
