Unraveling the Fabric of Johannesburg’s Informal Food Vending Sector

Abstract

This article investigates the informal food vending sector in Johannesburg. The analysis is based on empirical data obtained during interviews with 25 food vendors operating in the city. Information provided by the respondents reveal a complex web of informal food activities that take place in urban spaces, especially different locations chosen by informal food vending, such as transit hubs and public areas. The authors highlight key issues of urban governance and advancing sustain able urban development, which should be taken into account by urban planners in order to create more inclusive strategies that promote food vendors’ livelihoods by acknowledging the vitality and significance of the informal food economy.