WATCH: Chiawelo pedlar a breadwinner in his family
Daniel Mofolo is a travelling vendor of goods.
Poverty is a contributory factor in pushing people to engage in illegal activities such as crime and other illicit acts that may result in a person being on the wrong side of the law.
Some people, some of those who live in disadvantaged areas, battle every day thinking about what they’re going to eat. For a large proportion of people eventually, commit a crime as a means to put food on the table.
Bear in mind that some of these individuals are breadwinners. So if poverty drives them down the crime path, they’re likely to end locked up behind bars, living their families stranded.
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For Daniel Mofolo, a resident who lives with his wife and children, crime has never been an option for him when carrying out the responsibility to support his family.
Known to his peers as Darky, the man decided to create a job for himself after living many years without getting a job. Mofolo was once employed but later lost his job, however, he never thought about committing a crime.
He has decided on selling cosmetics, children’s toys, insect killers and washing materiel among other things. Mofolo said he started this small business three years ago and his business has grown ever since.
“At first, I was selling just a few items and as time went by, with the support of the community, I have more stock to sell and I am able to put food on the table and make sure that my family lives a better life even though I am not making too much money.
“Having started this business, I want to show others that even though it is hard to get employment, one can live without getting into trouble with the law,” said Mofolo.
Mofolo said everyday he wakes up early in the morning and walks around the township selling his products and goes home in the evening.
“Customers are supportive and sometimes I get calls from them when they need something. My advice to those who are not working is that they should start creating their small businesses and that way, they will end up on top.”
He said he is looking forward to own his shop one day.
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