Phalaborwa: The next step to making Phala green again

Silence Monyela, a grass salesman, believes that Phalaborwa could do with some greenery.

Monyela told the Herald about his initiative to plant grass at houses for people that do not have time to do it themselves.

Monyela said that as a father of two, he realised that he could not sit at home and expect the food to be put on his table. “Life does not work like that. If you want to eat, then you must go and work for it,” said Monyela.

Before he started his endeavor, he was home doing part time piece jobs. “I was unemployed blaming everyone that I had no food to feed my family,” he said. Now he makes enough money to feed his two children and wife.

He has a trolley with a dozen black refuse bags filled with green grass. He was recruited by his brother in Letsitele last year to sell grass.

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“My brother works for a man in Letsitele and he donates the grass free of charge from his farm. I then transport it to Phalaborwa. I am grateful to him, the farm owner and everyone who have entrusted me to sell and plant their lawns.”

“Last year, on my first attempt, I sold twelve bags of grass,” said an excited Monyela.
“I don’t want to be trouble to anybody or steal to feed my family. Every morning I come to town and sell my green grass to people whose yards are in need of grass,” he continued.

Monyela said that not only does he sell grass, but he also plants it if required.

Monyela said that people don’t really have time to plant grass and sometimes do not have enough money to pay a landscaper, so he provides affordable service ‘greening homes’.

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He charges R100 for one bag or R120 for a bag and planting thereof. That is enough for a front yard. He has a separate fee for doing an entire yard.

For more information about his grass contact Monyela on his phone 065 726 2134