DURBAN North businesses, Micromega Publishing and Pick n Pay Hyper by the Sea were among the partners thanked during a private ceremony with the Denis Hurley Centre Street Lit vendors recently.
There are currently 15 book vendors involved with the Street Lit programme, who were formerly homeless.
The vendors work in partnership with the Booksellers of Mzanzi to earn a living from selling second-hand donated books at Hyper By the Sea and various other Durban venues.
Coordinator for the Street Lit project, Illa Thompson said lockdown has been a tough time for the vendors who have been unable to get out and sell their books.
“Now that we are able to trade again, we wanted to give thanks for all the people who have supported the team. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 rules prevented us from having a public gathering, so instead we wrote banners of appreciation and hung them up on our boardroom wall. We thanked individuals, such as Anivesh Singh and Kiru Naidoo from Made in Chatsworth, and Devi Munien our business coach,” she said.
Also read: Festive shopping meets charity with Street Lit
“We also thanked organisations such as SAB Foundation, the Denis Hurley Centre, St Johns and Vuleka Centre – where five of our vendors were put up over lockdown. Finally we thanked venue partners such as the KZNSA Gallery, Berea Centre, Pick n Pay Hyper by the Sea, Dr Singh’s VetCare in Sherwood, Waste Centre, Westville Mall. The vendors gave testimony and thanks to all the partners who are helping with the project,” she added.
The vendors also showed their appreciation through a Gratitude Garden which they gifted to St Johns, where they are based.
“Tropical Garden Nursery in Sherwood supported the project with plants, and Recovery 911 gifted the project with wooden features made from tree trunks,” said Thompson.
The vendors have used the lockdown period to sort book donations and create a storage facility.
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