An independent woman
VICTORIA Musekwa (60) is one of the street vendors, who sells vegetables at the fruit and vegetable market opposite the Limpopo Mall.
POLOKWANE – VICTORIA Musekwa (60) is one of the street vendors, who sells vegetables at the fruit and vegetable market opposite the Limpopo Mall.
“Everyday when I wake up in the morning, I have a bright idea. I will never stop selling fresh produce,” boasts Musekwa.
Musekwa says she hand-picks the best vegetables from local farms herself to ensure satisfaction from her loyal customers. “My customers always praise my vegetables, they know they can always depend on me for a quality product.”
She says her journey as a vegetable seller started in 1999 after she lost her job as a cook at a local fast food store.
“After I lost my job, I sold jackets and blankets, but I realised that people paid a deposit for the goods, but never paid off the balance. That is when I decided to sell vegetables because they are in demand daily and there is not deposit to pay,” she says.
She says she chose to sell vegetables as more people were becoming aware of the importance of vegetables in a balanced diet. “A lot of people are sick nowadays and they want to buy vegetables everyday as part of their healthy diet.”
Musekwa says she is able to supports her family of eight with the business. “I can make R100 to R500 per day and I can buy maize meal and chicken feet for dinner.”
“Selling vegetables is a gamble. If the vegetables are not bought on time, they rot,” worried Musekwa.
Another challenge she faces besides rotting vegetables is the weather. She says due to the size of the stall roofs, rain and hot weather condition have an impact on her business, and she has bought extra umbrellas to shield her vegetables from the elements.
Her dreams include going overseas to sell vegetables in other countries. “I want to increase my stock, grow a big vegetable business and even employ other people.”
She would also like to save enough money for a bakkie so she can stock more produce and stop paying the transport money to farms.
Musekwa advises others not to depend on government or expect anyone to help them.
“Do not wait for an RDP house or for a government grant. That money is nothing compared to how much you can make running your own business,” she says.
