A REFLECTION: The exhausting, distressing daily struggle of a street vendor — one disappointment at a time

In 1993, when South Africa was on the cusp of democracy, Mama Grace* started her business as a street vendor. She says she was the first to get a spot on the pavement of De Villiers Street, just at the entrance of Park Station, uniquely chosen to embrace the oncoming traffic of pedestrians, who were rushing to catch the Metrorail train or a bus to work, or for a long-awaited trip back home.

Now a plethora of smallanyana “tuck-shops” — small tables made of cardboard boxes, crates, buckets and old school benches, to fit as little space as possible, to accommodate the next person — have sprung up around her. But Mama Grace will not vote in the 2019 election. As a journalist, I have become aware that for the elderly, this level of despondency comes from a disappointment with the ruling government. But surely there are other choices you can consider, I suggested to her.They are all the same. During elections, they all say choose me and I will do better, choose me, choose me,” she said.

She told me how she has too much to lose — for her to talk and appear in the news would draw the attention of some municipal official who would brand her as a complaining troublemaker. And then the harassment would start. She can’t afford to lose the only living she has — such as it is. The only difference was the concrete under her feet and a new line demarcating how far her table should go, so as to not impede pedestrians. And now, instead of having the space to cook the meals she sells, she is in a constant battle with the police when she encroaches over the designated line. It’s a proxy battle for her survival.

Food, rent, school, job and survival. All of which we all think of, but not with the same anxious daily fret.

Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)

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