22 Aug 2018

The culture of entrepreneurs striving to earn a living through selling goods and services in strategic places around malls and street corners is slowly becoming the norm.  

For some, street vending is the sole source of income and their goal is to expand their businesses.

One such is Mr Thato Thembo of Nata who started his business almost five years ago at the old Nata mall along the A3 road, which is the meeting place of both travellers and inhabitants of Nata. 

The 26-year-old says his hustle is worth it as he is getting a good response from customers.

He said his street vending journey started when he had an urge to change the financial strain his single mother faced. 

Even though he had not finished school, he thought of venturing into business to ease the pain and his pocket money became his start-up capital.

Mr Thembo said he started buying sweets to sell from the money that his mother gave him, and that when people started showing interest in his commodities, it was his signal to expand his business and offerings from the earnings he was making. 

He said later on he added items such as soft drinks and cigarettes among others and provided services such as Orange money, which he said was currently the major service that sets him apart from his competitors. 

Mr Thembo explained that the business was doing well and that he managed to buy a car and build a two-bedroomed house from his savings.

“I am passionate about my business and have always wanted to see myself owning a big supermarket one day,” he said.

He said most successful entrepreneurs were those who had the eager to succeed in what they did.

He said such people never gave up until they got it right hence they had the never-give-up mentality. 

Instead of waking up late, he said he makes sure that every day at least by half past six, he was already at his stall giving out services to those rushing to work or on transit and closes shop at almost 10pm. 

Mr Thembo noted that his schedule was paying off, adding that his kindness, a good relationship with his customers and offering excellent customer service benefited his business. 

“Although sometimes I get some complaints from my customers, I just apologise and it is sorted,” he noted.

 Apart from that, he said there were other challenges he faced such as water pollution, adding that during the rainy season, some of the goods become inaccessible to customers. 

He said his wish was to see young people not relying on government for hand-outs, but rising to the challenge and contributing to the economy. ENDS