This morning, I received a Whatsapp forward which brought some insights to what contributions we make to those ladies selling tomatoes. I love buying from these ladies and gentlemen on the street. But I also have strong views on street vending - I only respect those who vend orderly and in high hygiene places. There are places I strictly do not think we should buy from as they cause more problems than any good. But some - are the only places I would buy as even the multinational stores don't compare to the contributions you make to the family by just buying vegetables that you really need.
Here is the forward:-
A MUST READ WRITE-UP.......👏👏👏👏👏
By Portrice Chanda
Yesterday, I went to bed with a smile. I haven't done that in a long time. And the person responsible for that is a 55 year old woman i had an encounter with early last year. Almost a year later, we met again yesterday, different place, different circumstances and different story.
I was standing in a queue at Livestock Services yesterday when someone tapped me on my shoulder, I turned to check who it was, "How are you sonny?" I had no idea who this woman greeting me was, I, nevertheless, greeted back with as much confidence as I can, though, my face and tone gave me away. "I can see you don't remember me, I am the woman you scolded for buying things like tomatoes and vegetables in Shoprite a year ago at Ibex Mall" She reminded me while laughing. "Oh yes, I now remember, and you told me where to fuck off" I retorted while laughing as well.
While on the queue, both of us waiting to be served, she went on to tell me the sequence of events that followed after our encounter, and I must add, it cheered and inspired me immensely.
Perhaps, let me start from the beginning.
Early last year, around February or March, I was in Shoprite, Ibex Mall, doing some shopping when I noticed a woman getting a lot of Tomatoes, Onion and Vegetables. Without thinking, influenced by my strong view that Zambians must support Zambian businesses, I went closer to this woman and said, "Aunty, do you think it's wise for you to be buying vegetables and tomatoes in foreign owned Supermarkets like Shoprite, instead of buying from our women lining our streets? By you buying from them, you will be changing not only their family economics and the economics of the farmers where they get these vegetables, but also enhancing the Zambian economy. But here you are, sending your money to South Africa and promoting the South African economy. Where is your patriotism? I understand you buying certain things here, but not vegetables"
The woman was not amused and it showed in her tone when she responded; "Who the hell do you think you are to decide for me where I should buy things? Are you my husband or is it your money?"
So it happened that when she went home, she thought about it and realized I had a point. Slowly, she developed a habit of buying veggies and tomatoes from women on her way home, she is a teacher at one of the government schools in Mtendere.
As fate would have it, she had no idea that one of the poorest girls in her class, was being kept by her grandmother, who happened to be selling veggies and tomatoes on the street. She (teacher) was the grandmother's biggest customer. The teacher and this vegetable selling grandmother developed a very good relationship, the teacher even started tagging along her friends to buy from this grandmother.
The teacher was noticing that one of the poor girls in her class, who came with a torn uniform, heavily patched, no food and lacked many school requirements, suddenly had a new uniform and was now coming with packed food for break. She was now paying for most requirements at school and her school work improved a great deal.
So one day, on her way home, the teacher, as usual, passed by to buy veggies, tomatoes and onion from the usual grandmother, she was surprised to find her pupil there, assisting her grandmother. "Iwe Mary, what are you doing here? The teacher asked. "I am helping my grandmother, she sells here" Mary answered, equally surprised to see her teacher there. The grandmother was also surprised, she had no idea that her biggest customer was the teacher to her grandchild. The grandmother went on to tell the teacher how she has been struggling to take care of her grandchildren, failing to provide even the basics as business was tough, but because of people like her, who gave her a lot of business, things are looking up. "Now I can even afford a new uniform for Mary instead of patching the old one all the time, thanks to you and your friends" The grandmother told the teacher while shedding tears.
Since then, this woman has been looking forward to meet me, just to say thank you. And she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw me on a queue mu Livestock.
"And today, I want to thank you sonny for making me realise how much small things like this can make a difference not only to individuals involved but the general economy of our country. Many are times, we overlook these little things, but they are big, as my experience has taught me, thanks to you. By the way, what is your name?"
"Portrice, Portrice Chanda, madam" I responded while rushing to the counter as it was my turn to be served.
As I sat there, being served by the cashier, my mind was all over the place, thinking about what difference we would make if every Zambian did his bit, lifting each other up. What a monumental dent we would make on the evil triplets of poverty, joblessness and inequality!
Comrades, Zambia belongs to you and me, and we carry, at all material times, to make it a better place. Together, we can move this country forward.
Disclaimer
I have tried to find this person who is the alleged author but couldn't, so all rights to the material are his. If they can contact me, I would gladly take it down or link to their work if it is online and not only on social media and particularly Whatsapp forward.
