Operator Characterization and Acquisition of Sold Items for Tshakhuma and Khumbe Markets of Limpopo Province, South Africa
M.C. Dagada, A.E. Nesamvuni,  J. Van Rooyen, K.A. Tshikolomo

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to characterize operators of the Tshakhuma and Khumbe markets and to investigate the items sold and sources from which they were acquired. Some 91 operators were interviewed, 67 from Tshakhuma and 24 from Khumbe Market. Majority (91.2%) of operators was female and 77% of them were 21 to 60 years old. Some 22% of the operators had no schooling, 25.3% had primary, 44% had secondary and 8.8% had tertiary education. Operator incomes were low as evident from budget spending on basic necessities only. Half (49.5%) of operators were married, 31.9% were single, 3.3% were divorced while 15.4% were widowed. Agricultural produce constituted the main items sold in the markets, and those were mostly fruits, vegetables and field crops. Fruits were acquired from commercial farmers while vegetables and field crops were from own households and local smallholder farmers.

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