Implications of the relationship between street vending and political affiliation on development in Zambia: a case of Lusaka central business district

The topic of this study is, ‘Implications of the relationship between Street Vending and Political
Affiliation on Development in Zambia: A case of Lusaka Central Business District’ (CBD). This
study has been carried out for a period of two (2 years).
The major focus of this study was to investigate the implications the relationship between street
vending and political affiliation on the growth of street vending activities and bureaucratic
management of the Municipalities.
Three types of instruments were used to collect data. These were Semi-Structured Questionnaire,
In-depth Interview Guide and Focus Group Discussion Guide. Primary data was collected
directly from male and female involved in street vending and from the key informants. Key
informants included the Street Vendors’ Association Chairperson, Lusaka City Council Public
Relations Manager, Local Government Minister and State House Minister in-charge of
Presidential Affairs. While secondary data was collected through review of literature from
already existing data on the subject matter through books, articles, research papers, policy papers
etc.
The qualitative data was analysed using a computer-based software called NVivo. This software
made it easier to gather non- numerical data, organize data, and analyse data.
The major finding of this study was that political affiliation to the ruling party encouraged street
vending; While other specific findings revealed that, first, street vending did play a role in the
achievement of the development agenda of the ruling party; second, there were some benefits
such as service, material and financial assistance that accrued to the governing party and its street
vending supporters; third, the relationship between street vending and political affiliation caused
implications in three areas namely; political, economic and public administration.
Therefore, from the above-mentioned findings, the conclusion of the study confirmed that
political patronage was accountable for the relationship between street vending and political
affiliation in Lusaka Central Business District.
To help mitigate the problem at hand, the study came up with the following three specific
recommendations that could assist the Government and the public to resolve the problem at
hand: Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) should come up with an Act of Parliament
on Street Vending centred on Policy, Institutional and Political domains.
The significance of this study includes the following; First, it will contribute to the current
existing body of knowledge on street vending and political affiliation. Second, it will be useful to
political elites, street vendors and local authorities focusing on resolving the problem of street
vending particularly in Lusaka Central Business District (CBD).
Key Words:
- Street vending
- Political Affiliation
- Political Patronage