By: Zethu Gweva
Lulama Ndamane, 56, from Mdantsane NU 1 has been a street vendor since 1998 at the Highway taxi rank and has been trying to make ends meet to feed eight mouths.
Unlike other street vendors, the 56 year old does not sell fruits and vegetables, she opted to rather sell non-perishable products.
“Since I don’t have any other source of income, to survive I sell spirits, soap, zambuk and other products” said Ndamane.
The single mother of three who lost her husband, supports her brother’s seven year old child and her sister’s children. Ndamane explained that when her business began it did well, and that business was booming but currently things are slow.
“Nothing is happening and I don’t make much profit anymore. I spend the whole day here for sake of my kids to have something to eat at school and to get enough money to buy bread and electricity,” she said.
During unfavourable weather conditions Ndamane said her health is at risk, she carries a blanket to cover herself from the rain and when it’s hot her products such as Vaseline and soap melt.
“I need cover things like detols and spirits because they might turn to water and we get flu during cold weather and the environment is dirty and I wouldn’t be surprised if I would get TB,” she said.
Ndamana said it would be helpful if the provincial government and Buffalo City Metro Municipality could build her and fellow street vendors stalls that will be accessible to people and ultimately protect them from bad weather conditions.