Support Her

By Angelinah Chiwonerwa

"The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” - Ayn Rand

One is bound to come to the conclusion that the women bombarding the informal sector are parading this attitude, "Stop-me-if-you-can". They have turned the CBD pavements into a bustling vending area. Without a sign of shame and remorse, they sit there with their neatly arranged tomatoes and other stuff of course (whatever sells on the streets).

They are entrepreneurs in their own right. Fighting for a dollar in the pocket at the end of the day, a hot meal in order to keep going... that is how far this thing goes. One day at a time. If they survive the fierce attacks from the city council police on a particular day, that is good enough. As a nation, we cannot turn a blind eye to the courage, determination, and strong drive expressed by these young women. Some of them are bread winners of their families yet they are still young enough to be at school. However, they have to face the scorching summers and the frosty winters in the streets.

PROWEB, an organisation that deals with women empowerment initiated a discussion about these women.

One may have the creativity to come up with new business ideas but lack the means to implement the ideas. Different initiatives have been put in place to help young women in the informal sector but more still needs to be done.

The drive is there, but the vision has an expiry date of 24 hours. These young women need to be taught to think about the future in terms of years, plan businesses with SMART objectives. Life must not begin and end with attaining a dollar in your pocket. When ignorance goes on rampage, the nation cries foul. Why not extend the education of women beyond classroom walls? Sometimes what is needed is just an addition of information, just a bit of enlightenment and giving them new perceptions about life.

During a snap survey by the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) in 2015, one young lady said, “ If you look at my stock, I have mostly small items like Jiggies snacks, and sweets, and from these items I only make R1 profit. Imagine how long it will take me to sell and make a dollar. It is very difficult.” Clearly, vending is not an easy thing to do but the young women are forced to turn to it for survival.

Oliver Mtukudzi sang:

Kunzwa musoro kutema mukoma, handiro dambudziko mukoma,

Chapa musoro kutema mukoma, ndiro ka dambudziko mukoma,

Chapa musana kudzimba mukoma, ndiro ka dambudziko mukoma,

Wongorora chikonzero chaita musoro uteme,

Ugogadzirisa chikonzero chaita musana ubande...

The increase in vending is just a symptom of underlying problems – unemployment, lack of education, and so many other problems.

Instead of fighting with her – support her, she only wants to come out of this economic crisis alive!