China Dyantyi

187

Vendor #327 Pitch: C/O Hans Strydom & Buitengracht Age:

China Dyantyi has had it tougher than most, but against all odds the Vendor of the Month has kept his head held high, through sheer 
determination.

Before joining The Big Issue, softly spoken China had been unemployed for some time and had reached a point of desperation. “Back in 1996 I was stabbed in my arm and this left me disabled. I have been receiving a disability grant ever since. But the grant is not enough to live on, so I had no choice but to find work,” he explains. “I’d never had a real job before so I was worried, and it was hard. I couldn’t find anything.” (more…)

Peter Hoshe

186

Vendor #2348 Pitch: Old Biscuit Mill,Lower Main Road/ PnP Entrance V&A Waterfront Age:

When I first met Peter Hoshe my impression of him was that he seemed quiet and a bit too serious, two qualities that generally don’t help sell magazines. But, talking to him beyond our usual quick greetings, I soon learned why he’s one of the most successful and well-respected vendors. (more…)

Mzukisi Mdledle

185

Vendor #1279 Pitch: C/O Waterloo Road and Carr Hill Age:

Mzukisi Mdledle is on his way to becoming a veteran vendor with five years of selling the magazine under his belt. (more…)

Nomalungelo Menzeleleli

184

Vendor #1317 Pitch: Kenilworth Cntr, Claremont Age:

“Presentation is the key to being successful, that and hard work of course. But the way you are dressed and how you carry yourself will determine whether people respond to you or not,” says 
Nomalungelo Menzeleleli, who is not the least bit surprised she’s been chosen as Vendor of the Month. (more…)

Siphokazi Magobiyani

187

Vendor #2141 Pitch: Cnr Strand and Buitenkant Street Age:

Siphokazi Magobiyani has always dreamed of working in a big supermarket, dressed in a pressed and pristine uniform sporting her nametag. It may not be everyone’s dream job, but Siphokazi wants nothing more than for this to become her reality. (more…)

Xoliswa Constance Ntunta

186

Vendor #1177 Pitch: Woolworths, Main Road, Sea Point Age:

Xoliswa Ntunta, better known as Constance, is a very busy lady. Between spending two weeks of each month working as a domestic worker and crocheting caps to sell from her home, she sells The Big Issue in her spare time, which she hopes she’ll soon run out of. (more…)

Mqondeni Nofatyelana

185

Vendor #1755 Pitch: Riverside Mall, Rondebosch Age:

Mqondeni Nofatyelana is no stranger to hard work. He previously worked for his brother’s welding business in Port St John’s in the Eastern Cape and picked up the skills of the trade through long hours of toil. (more…)

Phumzile Maxesibe

183

Vendor #1747 Pitch: Cavendish Street and Protea Road Age: 39

Phumzile Maxesibe signed up as a vendor at a low point in his life and always intended to use it as a financial bridge while he looked for permanent work. After less than a year, he’s now ready to leave the bridge and use his wide range of skills and experience to find steady work. (more…)

Bongiwe Maqhakayi

187

Vendor #2801 Pitch: Corner Napier and Somerset Road, CBD Age:

Bongiwe Maqhakayi is a self-confessed workaholic. She’s on her pitch six days a week plus she’s the single mother of four children.

Although Bongiwe has been registered as a vendor for two years, she’s only been selling the magazine part time up until now. She’s recently become a full-time vendor and has set her sights on gaining the Vendor of the Month title. (more…)

Fumanekile Belani

186

Vendor #1387 Pitch: Gordon Road, Somerset West Age:

Fumanekile Belani is the strong, silent type. But mention family and it becomes clear that behind his quiet demeanour is a loving, family man.
“I live with my wife and four children — two boys and two girls — in Khayelitsha. The eldest is now 19 and the youngest is four,” says the proud father. (more…)

Nomikelo Jonasi

184

Vendor #B142 Pitch: Durban Rd, Tygervalley Age:

Overcoming her inherent shyness is the challenge Nomikelo Jonasi tackles every day when she heads out to her pitch. (more…)

Thuliswa Mthembu

183

Vendor #1826 Pitch: Cnr Racecourse & Otto Du Plessis rds, Claremont Age: 24

Thuliswa Mthembu has landed quite a few jobs since she left high school but unfortunately none have provided her with the stability she yearns for. (more…)

Bryan Maralack

185

Vendor #1612 Pitch: Opposite Blue Route Mall, Tokai Age:

After 13 years of selling The Big Issue, Bryan Maralack has caught a break. In February he was offered contract work assembling door locks at IB McIntyre in Maitland. (more…)