By Nobuhle L. Ngema
Mrs Thozama Boldman, better known as Makazi, is a local business woman who started in 2010 by just selling nik-naks and vegetables, to offering plate meals. She has tried even cooking at school, but when she got rejected, she saw it as an opportunity to start her own thing, considering her age as well. After all, she said her motivation in venturing into being a street vendor was the scarcity of jobs.
What makes her stand out, she said, is humanity and her love for people.
She’s known of her resilience and strength and this was seen on the recent challenges she had to face. For one, she said she had gotten herself a place to operate under. The place was safe, it was next to the school, there were securities nearby – only for the councillor to remove her.
“An old woman like me, just so he could accommodate his friends.”
Makazi found herself another place, not better than the one she’d previously found. The new one is next to the bush, it’s not safe and she’s scared.
“If I’m to leave this place, where am I going to go to? I can’t be employed anywhere in my age. I’m doing this for my children. Surely, it is better than stealing.”
Instead of leaving, Makazi became the true epitome of what we call Imbokodo, the Rock, and held the end sharp of the stick and stayed. Not only did she stay, but she also got permit for the place.
She mentioned her material being stolen, people buying from her with fake money and witnessing people being robbed in front of her eyes.
“The councillor of ext 28 has failed me,” she stated. “If we can’t rely on him, to whom shall we cry to?”
