Mobile food trailer owners taking the entrepreneurial spirit wherever they need to go
Food trailers are growing in frequency where basic needs meet limited resources.
To fill a basic need the only recourse required is an enterprising attitude.
An upgrade from the sweet stand, but not a full takeaway, mobile food stands are run by people with an entrepreneurial backbone. On roadsides and verges across Weltevreden Park and Ruimsig, these businessmen and women take it upon themselves to provide an alternative that keeps people fed while taking the risks associated with doing something for oneself.
Three of the more permanent fixtures of roadside takeaways are across from Retail Crossing in Wilgeheuwel, at the corner of John Vorster Road and Jangroentjie Avenue near Rock Cottage, and on Shearwater Road near Pick n Pay Little Falls. The owners of these roadside takeaway trailers all give the same reason for their chosen places of work, saying the staff of the nearby shops are part of their loyal and frequent clientele.
Lookson Ndlovu runs the trailer near Rock Cottage, having done so for almost 15 years. Assisted by his sister, they live in Windsor West and tow the trailer to that site every day. With a table that can seat eight customers, he claims to serve roughly 30 people a day between 09:00 and 16:00 before packing everything back into the trailer and heading home. Keeping the menu simple and easy to plan, Lookson offers maize meal, vegetables and variations of stewed meat.
Some may associate the corner of Florin Road and Nic Diederichs Road with more nefarious activities but for Portia Dlamini and Nomvula Ndlovu it is their office. They too sell maize meal, vegetables and meat, and the pair work with the efficiency of any kitchen staff. Nomvula has owned the trailer since 2008 and her current model is an upgrade from a smaller unit she traded in, with this one having three gas power stoves, a sink, and a counter with cutting boards. They too have a dining area to give their customers a formal place to rest.
New to the food trailer business is Shearwater Road vendor Sibongile Dhliwayo. Unlike Lookson and Nomvula, who began wanting the ease and mobility of the trailer, Sibongile originally aspired to a permanent takeaway shop. The cost of rent put that dream temporarily out of reach but using what budget she had, has pieced together a neat operation. With a more extensive menu, she adds an extra dimension as her food is listed on Mr Delivery so that people can preorder and have meals sent to them at their convenience.
Sibongile has had her trailer for just over a year and a partner helps her tow the trailer to her usual site every day from Fleurhof. Using fresh ingredients daily, she admits to still testing what works and what does not work, but claims to be breaking even with 30 to 40 customers a day. Lookson and Nomvula’s trailers are the standard white exterior but Sibongile has spent almost R7 000 on the branding for her trailer.
All are fully licensed and compliant, ensuring not to fall foul of by-law enforcement. In Lookson and Nomvula’s case, their staying power is a result of providing a product to a market less catered for, while Sibongile is using her trailer as a stepping stone to bigger things. For those wanting the taste of something off the beaten path but right under their noses, give the grassroots entrepreneur a chance.
