Image via Twitter
Generous South Africans support vendors ahead of lockdown
It’s a good day to be a South African.
Image via Twitter
South Africans took to the streets on Thursday 26 March – and hopefully adhered to social distancing protocols – so support street vendors before the 21-day lockdown begins at 23:59.
One Facebook users, Motso Naledi Ya Bopape, shared photos on the social media platform, along with the caption:
“We shared what we have, hopefully this will put the families who at confusion right now at ease on what will their next meal be. A special thank you to Sydwell Hugh Man who has always supported this initiative from 2018.”
The post also contained pictures of meal packs that Good Samaritans had pout together. The packs contained essentials such as vegetables, maize meal, canned foods, tea, sugar, salt, cooking oil, sausages and soap.
Many South Africans from all across the country heeded the call and joined in the challenge. As reported by Herald Live, two men from Delmas, Pancho Masango Mkungu and Patrick Gossa, also joined.
They said that several hawkers and street vendors had closed shop ahead of the lockdown, and that they (Mkungu and Gossa) were able to buy all their stock.
Donated to those in need
Mkungu explained that most of the produce and stock were donated to the Botleng Society for the Aged, and he called on other South Africans to dig deep and help the vulnerable.
New Life Church pastor Mzwakhe Tancredi and his wife Charisma also reached out to their immediate community in Vanderbijlpark, as one of many initiatives to assist others.
“Charisma and I went out and bought goods from street hawkers and vendors around Vanderbijlpark and some had to close since we bought everything they were selling. We then donated what we bought”.
Members of the New Life Church also reached out to community members and street vendors to assist their respective communities and where possible ahead of the lockdown.
South Africans united
The call for assistance was spread to the twittersphere as well, where a user known only as Soul Pheeder asked:
“Can we please all make a pledge that in these 2 days left before lockdown, we buy as much as we can from street vendors and less from corporate supermarkets”.
Another user said: “I know some will say I’m showing off but I’m just raising awareness, let’s all go support street vendors, I only spent R150 to finish her stock, we still have time to help them before”.
“Today, the Mduduzi Manana Entrepreneurship Trust provided a relief fee to street vendors or informal traders so they can go by during the 21-day nationwide lockdown”.
Mzwandile Masina, Twitter.
