Street trader encourages woman to work hard and provide

POLOKWANE – A mother of three, Maria Mamabolo from Ga-Makanye village near Turfloop wants women to not solely rely on their life partners for financial support.

BONUS spoke to Mamabolo to hear how she overcomes obstacles as a woman.

The 48-year-old sells fruit and vegetables at a taxi rank in Polokwane. “I used to sell at home but lost customers as there were other vendors who sell goods at extremely low prices. I had to make a plan as I have two children who study at university and another child who is in Gr 12,” she shared.

Mamabolo moved her marketplace to the city in 2014, and insists that had she given up when other shops opened, her dream of realising a bigger market would have been crushed.

Her message to women is: “Strive even in the shackles of patriarchy. Women work twice as hard for their offspring in this male-dominated world. Despite the challenges, do not give up on your ambitions,” she added.

Mamabolo explained one of the challenges she faces is that there are days when she has no customers to buy her fresh products, and then the produce rots.

However, despite these challenge, she remains motivated and remembers that if she stays home, she will not be able to provide for her children. “My son is in his final year of school and depends on his mother to help him reach his goals. I think of him every morning I make my way to my marketplace,” she added.

Mamabolo shared that as a mother, drug abuse, especially by young people, keeps her up at night. “I cannot help but imagine that my child can also fall victim. Our children sleep in the streets without care, but who will be our future leaders?” she exclaimed.

Mamabolo hopes the government will root out drug abuse and build a better country for everyone. “South Africa was once a beautiful country and it seems as if the government does not mind seeing it as the shallow grave it has become,” she concluded.