​Rofhiwa Marubini
Some of the Gauteng informal traders have expressed happiness with the relaxation of lockdown regulations which has allowed them to operate and revive their livelihood.
The informal trading sector is a critical part of the Gauteng economy. While the vast majority of informal operators do not earn a lot, informal economy still provides livelihoods, employment and income for many workers and business owners in the province.
With the country moving to Alert Level 1 of lockdown , the economy is gradually recovering as many traders who were  unable to trade during Level 5 and level 4 are now economically active. 
One such person, is  a 32-year-old Mandla Mzilikazi an informal trader, who sell fruits and vegetables in the streets of Fleurhof in Roodepoort, Mzilikazi said it was not easy to trade during level 5 and 4 of the lockdown.
"Life was difficult for me, I could hardly get stock as we were not allowed to walk around. I'm totally dependent on this business to support my wife and two kids," said Mzilikazi.
Mzilikazi said sometimes his fruits and vegetables would get spoiled as customers were afraid to buy from informal traders, but preferred supermarkets.  
"I could not just walk around the streets when people were locked in their houses, my stock would get rotten as people were not buying. Some of the vegetables I gave them to the neighbors," said Mzilikazi.  
Mzilikazi said he is happy that it seems like things are getting back to normality, "I can now sell all my fruits and vegetables," said Mzilikazi.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old, soft-spoken and reserved Sipho Sangweni who owns a Barber shop in the streets of Meadwlands in Soweto, said he was glad that the lockdown regulations has been relaxed. 
"During lockdown I was the worst affected business owner," said Sangweni.
He noted that he would open his barber shop for the whole day and no one would come for a haircut. 
At the gate of Ndofaya Mall in Meadwlands one is greeted by young men and women selling goods. One of them is a 33-year-old Bhiza, who sell face masks. 
Bhiza said COVID-19 has brought business, he used to linger around in the shebeens in Meadawlands and he can now put bread on the table. 
Bhiza said the relaxation of the lockdown regulation has favored his business.
"When the president was easing the lockdown regulations I thought my business was going to die, but now people are buying face masks like hot potatoes, you can find a person buying masks for the whole family, saying that they prefer that each person in the house have four to five mask to cover the whole week," said Bhiza.​