By Rafael Morais
Africa-Press – Angola. Honestly, what we’re experiencing is revolting. Every time I pass by the famous yellow pedestrian crossing in the town of Viana and on the Zango bypass, I feel ashamed. That structure was built to save lives, to prevent the deaths that were common in that area. But today, what do we see? An open-air market, a reflection of the lack of civility and the absence of oversight in places that could serve as a reflection and a positive image of the city.
Ladies and gentlemen, pedestrian walkways are not markets! Sidewalks are not warehouses! Roads are not counters! And now, what do we have? Sidewalks full of banana grills, chicken grills, and other grills, clothing racks, and even bags of charcoal. It’s a shameful scene that demonstrates two things:
1 – A people who have lost the culture of respect for public spaces.
2 – A government that has lost the ability to impose order.
And please don’t give me the excuse “people need to survive.” Yes, we all do. Because the country we have pushes us to this extreme of survival, not living as such. But survival cannot mean the destruction of urban order. Because when a pedestrian mall becomes a market, when sidewalks are occupied, and when even road lanes are taken over by vendors, the result is total chaos, traffic jams, accidents, trash everywhere, and zero mobility for pedestrians.
Want an example? The Zango bypass area. It’s pure pandemonium! Sidewalks are occupied, lanes are invaded, and there’s visual and noise pollution everywhere. No one respects anything! Every day, informal market vendors occupy the sidewalks and lanes of the recently constructed road with impunity, causing traffic jams, especially in the afternoon. The urban disorganization is glaring. The police, instead of ensuring the flow and safety of traffic, seem to have surrendered to the disorder. Has the National Police truly lost its ability to restore legality? Or is it simply not given the necessary autonomy and mandate to act?
It’s worth remembering that, some time ago, on the same Zango bypass, there was a tragedy that resulted in deaths due to an out-of-control car. Now, the burning question is a legitimate one: how many more citizens will have to die in car accidents before the State wakes up to its most basic responsibilities? Governors of Luanda and Icolo e Bengo, please reconsider yourselves. Either you are competent, or you are not.
Now, the question is, how long are we going to live in this disaster?
Where is the oversight? Where are the municipal administrations? Where is the State, which should enforce rules and protect citizens? The truth is, we are facing an explosive mix of public disregard and government inefficiency.
I advocate for tough measures, because disorder has become a culture, and it’s dangerous. Selling on pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, or roads? A heavy fine.
Makeshift markets in critical locations? Removal without negotiation. Police standing by to watch? Accountability for omission.
But punishment isn’t enough. Solutions must also be proposed that aim to create organized markets near busiest areas, so people have a place to sell without blocking roads.
Permanent civic campaigns, explaining that public spaces must be preserved for everyone.
Integration programs for informal vendors, to provide decent alternatives and not just push them elsewhere.
Now, let’s be honest, until there’s serious oversight and real punishment, nothing will change. Because it’s become commonplace to see sidewalks and pedestrian walkways occupied, and people think, “If no one does anything, then I can carry on.” It’s this mentality that’s killing our cities.
Pedestrian walkways are for pedestrians. Sidewalks are for walking. Roads are for cars. The rest is chaos!
If we don’t impose order today, tomorrow it will be impossible to recover public space.
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