New stalls for banana women
These women could not contain their joy and pride and said that their dignity has been restored.
The women who sell bananas in Mtwalume (KwaSmith) are ecstatic after the Department of Economic Development Tourism Environmental Affairs and Umzumbe Municipality handed over stalls to them on Tuesday morning last week.
These women could not contain their joy and pride and said that their dignity has been restored.
They are well-known as the banana women for many years.
According to Makhosazana Mantshumpu, receiving a stall is lifechanging for her. “My heart is full of joy,” she said.
Mantshumpu said she could not remember when she started selling bananas but what she knows is that her children were young, and now they are married.
“It has been over 30 years, when I first started I sold a packet of bananas for R2. Some of our friends who sold with us have since died, it’s sad, that they are not here to see this development.”
Another seller, Lindeni Mpisane said her child is now a teacher.
“I sent her to school with the banana money I earned, our children are what they are today because of the bananas we have been selling.”
Over the years, they sat in the open selling to motorists and passers-by. They have experienced heavy rains, thunderstorms, winds and heatwaves but remained patient, knowing that one day they will receive a formal structure.
Umzumbe mayor Bongani Nyuswa said the reason it took so long to build the stalls was because of the municipal demarcation.
“The area where the women were selling fell under Umdoni Municipality. We had to write to all the relevant departments and Umdoni to ask for permission to build these stalls.”
At the handover, equipment was also handed to small businesses from Umzumbe.
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