Vendors told to stay at home

Street vendors, who make a living selling their products outside Mamelodi schools, are still not allowed back even though the country has now moved down to lockdown level 3.

“We still have no idea of when we will be allowed to sell our stuff again,” said one such vendor affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, Sinah Thobela.

“This is our living. It is how we make money and put food on the table for ourselves and our children.”

There has been no word yet on when vendors such as Thobela will be allowed back since the announcement of the national lockdown last year.

“We have been expecting that they would let us back again at the schools after we moved to level 3 and the schools have re-opened – but we have no idea.”

Many of the vendors are single parents and rely heavily on the money they make this way.

“Our children often go to the same schools where we sell sweets and fruits and money. This is the money we need to buy school uniforms and feed our families.”

The vendors pleaded with the Department of Education to organise a meeting with them to determine a way forward.

According to them, school principals are also awaiting word from the department on the issue.

Belinda Komane, another vendor, said she was disappointed because some of them have been running their businesses at schools for more than 15 years.

“We have raised our children with the money we made at the schools and the teachers are also our customers,” said Komane.

“Our working relationship with the school was fine and the school also had a database of all the vendors operating at the various schools,” she said.

The vendors recently held a meeting near the Mamelodi teachers centre at Mandela Park in Mamelodi East.

“We have run out of ideas because we know no other business than selling at schools,” she said.

Vendor Tebogo Aphane said that this is a national problem that does not affect only Mamelodi vendors.

“This problem is very serious,” said Aphane.

“We need clarity as soon as possible. We all understand what the country is going through now, especially with all the health protocols.”

The vendors are prepared to wear masks and keep social distancing as well as other measures.

“The last time we made any money was back in March last year. Since then we have depended on social grant money to survive.”

Both the Gauteng and national education departments could not be reached for comment.

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