‘I will sell African Reporter, no matter the weather’
Mam Florence Gama, who could not finish her education towards becoming a teacher, has made a 24-year career of selling the African Reporter, and is not looking to stop any time soon.
Springs – Mam Florence Gama, affectionately known as ‘maMtyali’ by her customers, has been selling the African Reporter since 1994 when the paper cost only R0.12.
MaMtyali sold The Sowetan and was encouraged by Thandi Dladla, a friend, to sell the Springs Advertiser and African Reporter.
“When the Advertiser became free, I held on to the African Reporter,” MaMtyali reminisces.
Gama sells around 350 copies a week. She says she achieves her high sales as a result of her personal relationship with her customers, some of whom she sells the paper to on credit.
Throughout her career as a self-employed vendor, she has met many people, including some who were not pleasant to deal with.
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“There is no job that is 100 per cent good.
“Do not let the one per cent who are rude ruin your day,” she says.
She also encourages an attitude of hard work and perseverance in whatever job one is doing.
MaMtyali encourages others to start selling the African Reporter by buying 200 copies a week and not miss a single week for six months so as to earn a commission.
She loves her job and carries a bottle of porridge to drink while selling the paper, which she does no matter the weather.
“When it is hot, I walk in the sun with my papers and when it is raining, I have a plastic bag with which I cover them,” she says.
MaMtyali says she will continue to sell the African Reporter, even against the wishes of her daughter who says she should retire.
