Poverty alleviation from the perspective of street vendors in Lesoth

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.