SESHEGO – IN THE face of uncertainty over the official opening of the multi-million rand Seshego hostel, business is already in full swing, with trading booming at the intersection of Khensani and Freedom Drive in the township’s zone 6.
Most noticeable of these traders is a group of some 10 gogos, who sell anything from fruit and vegetables to snacks at their stalls overlooking Khensani Drive. And with no retail store in sight, their products sell like hotcakes.
They have been there with trading permits for more than a year, and some have already raked in considerable cash.
Asked how much she makes on a good day, one woman, who opted to speak on the basis of anonymity, says: “we are making a living here. I wish government can speed progress and open this hostel. I am optimistic that once these residential units are occupied, we will have many customers frequenting our stalls to buy our products. What makes me even happier is the fact that the people who will be residing in this complex will be those with good salaries”.
The elderly women share space with a salon owner, who also doubles as a fruit and vegetable trader. Their clientele are mostly residents of zones 2, 3 and 6.
The Dibane Café was operational even before the demolition of the old hostel structure in 2009. The café, owned by the business-savvy Ledwaba family of zone 3, has a massive client base from the surrounding neighbourhood, with workers from the industrial site visiting for a sumptuous meal at lunchtime.
At the traffic lights, a local woman sells hotcakes. Perfectly located at a place where commuters board their morning taxis, her chances of attracting a loyal clientele are high.
There is a local man selling chicken and eggs who has also been a regular at the hostel compound.
By the time of going to print, CV had not received any response to its numerous enquiries to the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs spokesperson, Motupa Selomo, over when the new hostel would open.
