Earning a living on the streets of Dundee
The cosmetics vendor, fruit or vegetable vendor, branded-wear vendor and the shoe makers all make their living on the streets of Dundee, proving that an honest living can be earned anywhere and anyhow.
Armed with make-shift tables, portable chairs and stock, the pavement vendors of Dundee take to the streets daily to earn their keep. They trade, come rain or sunshine. Dudu Ngema sells hats, jewellery and cosmetics on the corner of King Edward and Victoria Streets. She is merry and her only challenges are the sweltering heat or heavy rains.
“I once erected a tent to protect me from the weather but was instructed by a Traffic Officer to remove it.”
A few steps away are another set of traders with scrumptious looking fruit and vegetables.
The aunt and nephew team, who preferred not to be named, bring in their fresh produce daily and have been doing so for 15 years.
When asked the secret behind their success, a shy smile enveloped the face of the trader and he beamed, “quality and good pricing.”
He further emphasised this when he picked up a bag full of onions and said, “see you won’t find onions for R5 anywhere else.”
Life on the streets is hard for the pair as they come to terms with the harsh Dundee climate, but they persevere as trade is their only source of income.
A street away, on the busy pavement in between ABSA and Exact, another trader is making an honest living. Shepherd, a 32-year-old Zimbabwean national, sells wallets, branded jeans and footwear and even cellphone pouches.
He began trading in 2008 as a result of unemployment and has been doing this ever since. Shepherd describes the trading scene in Dundee as being way better compared to that in his home country, Zimbabwe as the demand is higher here.
A few meters away another pair of vendors set up their work space, where they repair shoes.
Using glue, soles and pliers, Sifiso Mlambo and Joe Mthembu, have been repairing shoes for the past seven years. A trade taught by Sifiso’s uncle, earns him and his partner 30 to 31 customers a day.
People from all walks of life stop by to have their footwear repaired.
The cosmetics vendor, fruit or vegetable vendor, branded-wear vendor and the shoe makers all make their living on the streets of Dundee, proving that an honest living can be earned anywhere and anyhow.
