Hawkers To run a business in Johannesburg If you are a hawker selling food and meals, which you take from place to place or sell from a vehicle, you need to have a licence. You will need to apply for a licence from the City's Trade Licence Department. In addition, you will need to pay a once-off application fee. Once the documentation is completed, the application will be forwarded to five departments to check that the City requirements are met: Environmental health Public safety An inspection is carried out of the premises by the departments concerned Only when all departments have retuned favorable reports and recommend approval the trade license will be issued