Several women in the village of Kanana, Hammanskraal, are making good business out of selling water in the streets.
The women were motivated by a desire to provide clean, fresh water to the residents of Hammanskraal as the water in the area is unpotable.
Many of these women have been in the business of selling water since 2001.
Veronica Temeki (40,) Boitsoko Monametsi (35), Dipuo Mukosi (43) and Refilwe Ndlovu (34) everyday woke up and stand in the sun and cold weather and selling water.
One of the water hawkers, Refilwe Ndlovu (34), thanked Dr Mulungu who helped them to set up their businesses to become a success that they have today and also provided them with reflective beeps.
Ndlovu revealed that through the water-peddling business she is able to make a decent living and support her family.
“We ourselves are actually surprised by the lots and lots of money that we make from selling water in the streets,” she said.
She said she has persevered in the business of selling water despite discouragement from several members of the community who, out of ignorance, think there is no profit in selling water in the streets.
What the women do is that they buy bottled water from local retailers and sell it at a profitable price to customers in the streets.
“I no longer depend on my husband for my daily needs because now I can go to the shopping malls on my own and purchase whatever is needed by myself and the children,” explained Ndlovu.
She said she and her fellow water-peddlers work from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm as Sunday is reserved for rest, church and household chores.
One of them, Veronica Temeki (40) said she won’t be discouraged by those who mock her for selling water in the streets as not all people can occupy decent professional jobs.
She pointed out that she couldn’t go far with her studies all those many years ago as she had to drop out due to tuition fees.
“But as there are no employment opportunities in Hammanskraal, we as women decided to swallow our pride and embark on the business of selling water, which helps us to support our families,” she said.
She also complained about harassment that they suffer at the hands of the Tshwane Metro Police, who chase them away from the spots where they sell water.
Temeki thanked Dr Mulongo profusely for providing them with reflector beeps which make them visible to motorists to avoid being hit by cars in the busy streets.
Boitshoko Monametsi told Tshwane Talks that she is now a real business lady and a star because of the business of selling water in the streets.
“I am a woman, I am umbokodo, I am a business owner and I feel great about it,” she said.
“The money that I make here helps me provide for myself and my family and I won’t be looking for another job any longer,” she said.
Yet another lady who also sells water in the streets, Dipuo Mukosi 43, told Tshwane Talks that despite having suffered a stroke recently, she still carries on as she feels better now due to the treatment she received from Dr Mulongo.