Jayshree Ibrahim and her husband, Yacoob Ibrahim, sold beauty products and perfumes at the Stables Market.
Image: Supplied
FORMER longstanding traders of the Stables Market are struggling to pick up the pieces after their eviction six years ago.
Their only hope is to trade again at the market, but with reasonable rent.
They said they traded three days a week – Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – which enabled them to put food on the table.
Yacoob Ibrahim, 55, said he and his wife, Jayshree, ran a thriving cosmetic and perfume business.
The couple, from Phoenix, traded at the market for about 20 years.
Ibrahim said in 2017, he was diagnosed with stage 4 papillary carcinoma, a type of cancer most commonly found in the thyroid gland.
“If it were not for the market, I may not have been alive today. The income I generated at the market helped me pay for my medical aid, and other related expenses. However, in 2020 when we were forcefully evicted, I had to cancel my medical aid. To this date, I have to rely on the public health sector,” he said.
Ibrahim said since the eviction, he struggled to find employment.
“I am a qualified graphic designer, but when I go for a job interview, I am either overqualified or not associated with the right people. I do odd jobs whenever I get the opportunity, but it is difficult to make ends meet.
“My only hope is that eThekwini Municipality realises it made a mistake by evicting us, and gives us back our market, but at the rental we once paid,” he said.
Sagaren Naicker sold seasonal fruit.
Image: Supplied
Sagaren Naicker, 64, of Chatsworth said he ran a successful fruit business.
“I sold a range of seasonal fruits, while my wife sold food such as savouries, fried mielies, and boiled nuts, as well as Bombay crush. We were at the market for about 20 years. I thought the market would sustain us for the rest of our lives. I never thought it would end so suddenly and so soon.
“Without a steady income, we had to change our entire lifestyle. We went from renting a three-bedroomed home to a one-roomed place. We also cannot afford medical aid, which is so important as you get older. My health has deteriorated. I now suffer from hypertension,” he said.
Naicker said they tried operating in other markets.
“At our age, it is not easy as you have to carry your own gazebo and tables, as well as goods. You then have to set up, and then pack when you are done. It causes strain on the body. We did not have to worry at the Stables Market.
“We also don’t have the same foot traffic as we did at the Stables Market. There is barely any profit. It is sad that we have to battle at our age. My only hope is to get the old Stables Market back. It would be wonderful,” he said.
Dalip Bisseru, 71, of Isipingo Beach, said he sold a range of books including comics, while his wife sold Eastern clothing and accessories.
They operated their businesses at the market for 12 years.
“Business was booming, as we had a lot of tourists from around the country and world. The market was also vibrant because there was live entertainment. We also provided employment opportunities. I had six staff members, who were impacted. Since our eviction, we have been forced to try and sell our products elsewhere, but it is not the same. I wish we could return to the Stables Market.
Manju Rooplal, 65, of Newlands West, said she also traded at the market for about two decades.
She sold plasticware and later included detergents.
“We had people coming from all over the province to purchase our products. It is what kept food on our table. After the eviction, we had to go out and start looking for customers. It was a lot of hard work. I feel what happened to us was unfair and was done out of greed. The traders, especially the elderly, were not considered.
“Now, there are plans to open a new market, which is disappointing. They should have just left us to continue trading. I am hopeful our eviction is found to be unlawful, and we can return to the market without being charged exorbitant rent. We should also be given first preference,” she said.