Kholisile Batayi

Kholisile’s extraordinary bravery

You’ll find the vendor of the month Kholisile Batayi (60) sharing his pitch with his wife in buitengracht street, opposite the southern sun hotel.

“My wife, Noluthando, doesn’t sell with me as often anymore because she’s been studying for a while.”

Kholisile worked for a company that was contracted to offload trucks for PEP. “I quit that job, as it wasn’t bringing in much money and my wife advised me to join her selling magazines. There’s been such a difference financially. We’re not rich but there’s always something in the hand daily. Also, adjusting to working with different people every day wasn’t that difficult because I am a father of four and I work with a lot of people at church too.”

Kholisile’s story is not without shocking trauma and heartbreak though. When his daughter was raped by a relative, he says he received huge support from his customers, The Big Issue and his immediate family.

“Their encouragement kept me going. I’ll be forever grateful to them. Working with this publication has given me time to spend with my kids, teach them more and engage in the things they like.”