Zola Sawula

Sing, pray, love

Words: Alicia English

Vendor on the pitch Zola Sawula, sells The Big Issue in York Road, Green Point. He talks about his appreciation for his customers and how he loves being an entrepreneur.

His children, 15-year-old Susan, 19-year-old Thando and 21-year-old Unathi are his motivation for leaving his home in Harare, Khayelitsha each day to sell the magazine. Susan, who attends school, lives with Zola’s family in the Eastern Cape, while his two boys also live in Khayelitsha. Thando is studying and Unathi has a job.

While Zola works hard to support his children and pay for their education, he is also a spiritual person who loves to spend time with his Bible. He is praying to find permanent work as a driver as he has his professional driving permit (PDP), and he really wants to own a house.

“I do have a CV and I’m eager to move on and get a job as I am not getting any younger,” he says.