Flower vendor from Tembisa celebrates 10 years at corner

If you are a resident from Aston Manor, Allen Grove or Glen Marais, then it’s almost impossible to miss this vendor who sells flowers on the corner of Rietfontein Road and Poort Street.Jerome Sosibo (30) was born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal and moved to Johannesburg to earn a living. He stayed in Thulisa Park in 2005 and started selling his flowers.

“Business was slow in Thulisa Park, so I decided to move to Tembisa and start selling in Kempton Park,” said Sosibo.

He started selling at the T-junction in 2007 and has been there ever since. He says business is not always good, sometimes it gets really hectic but he continues to sell because he needs to eat.

“I do have regular customers every now and again, but most of the time I get new buyers,” he said. He says he buys his stock in Johannesburg two or three days a week, depending on how business goes that week.

“I can make the flowers last by the way I keep them in my storeroom. These flowers last up to five days at times,” said Jerome.

Sosibo says he stays in a rented room in Tembisa and also has to pay rent for a storeroom for his flowers.

Sosibo is known to always smile and wave at people driving past him, which is a heart-warming feeling.

“I never forget a face, and you can imagine how many people I see daily. I can decorate with flowers, get any flowers people request and I can sell them,” said Sosibo.

This young, hard-working man travels between Glen Marais and Tembisa using the train. He also uses the train to stock up his flowers in town. He says he would be really grateful if someone from around Glen Marais, Aston Manor and Allen Grove provided accommodation for him at a reasonable rate, where he can stay and have a storeroom for his flowers.

“I would also really appreciate it if someone provided space for me to sell these flowers, instead of selling them in the streets as I have been doing for 10 years,” said Sosibo.