Pretoria central youth turns sidewalks into marketplaces
By Bandile Kamogelo Mbango
Twitter: @Bandilekamo
In the heart of Pretoria Central, unemployment is not just a joke but it’s a daily reality. Young people have taken matters into their own hands since there are no job opportunities.
They are turning sidewalks into marketplaces, transforming street corners into networking hubs and whatever it means to survive in a struggling economy, from selling food and clothing to repairing phones and printing business cards.
The busiest trading spots in the city is Marabastad, Sammy Marks and BloedMall , where a group of vendors lines the sidewalks, each selling something different. Among them is Sibongile Mahlangu, a former cashier who now sells handbags and suitcases. She lost her job over a year ago, and after months of searching with no success, she took a risk she bought a few bags in bulk and started selling them on the street.
Now she makes enough to support her family, even if some days are better than others. Not far from her stall, Vusi Mthembu has found a way to make a living selling shoes, phone cases, and phone chargers. His business runs on small profits, but they add up. “It’s not about getting rich,” he explains “It’s about making sure there’s something to eat at the end of the day.”
Food vendors play a key role in Pretoria’s informal economy. From early morning to late at night street side food stalls serve a lot of workers, students and taxi commuters. Nomvula Dlamini started selling food with nothing, but a cooler box filled with cold drinks. Over time, she expanded to making (magwinya, tea, pap and gravy). Now her small food stand is a favourite among regulars. “People always need to eat that’s why I chose this business. “She says
Not all street traders sell food. Some like Lebo Sambo and Tshepo Marimbe have turned their creativity into a business. The young couple sells handcrafted beaded jewellery something they initially started as a hobby. Now they make custom designs for customers slowly building a brand through word of mouth. Despite their determination these business owners face daily struggles. Many operate without proper permits which means they risk losing their stock to law enforcement. Vendors have also had to deal with theft, unpredictable sales, climate change and not knowing whether they will make enough money each day. “Some days I sell out, some days I barely make anything there’s no guarantee in this business.” Nomvula admits.
Despite the challenges the determination of Pretoria’s informal traders remains unshaken. Many dreams of growing their businesses beyond the streets finding stable places or expanding their customer base through social media .They are part of a generation that refuses to wait for opportunity they create it. Each sale, each customer, each day is a step forward in a journey that is as unpredictable as it is inspiring. For them unemployment is not the end of the road, It's simply the beginning of a different kind of hustle .
