Mkhokeli Radiators Is Always Open

We have received a beautiful comment from one of our readers from the United States. Ann Malaspina is an author of books for children and teens. She lives in the Greater New York City Area and we thank her with this article for her comment. Words like hers are what keeps us going and make us stronger and better. Thank you Ann! 

"What a lovely online magazine. I really enjoyed the beautiful photographs and commentary. I feel like I had made a trip to South Africa, where I've never been, and met some wonderful people. Thank you for your work."

Posted by Ann Malaspina

In this spirit we are going to show you another interesting place on Hi-Way in Mdantsane.

Mkhokeli Radiators At Hi Way in Mdantsane

 

The good thing in having a small business around the Hi-Way market area in Mdantsane is, that if you have to go away for a couple of minutes, somebody (usually a close friend) is going to watch your shop. 

Everything is close together and should the unlucky incident occur, that an unexpected costumer arrives in your absence, you will be called right away! 

Business can be done from any place in Mdantsane, from you backyard, from your house, from a shack and from a container. The only thing you need is a roof over your head and a big hand-painted signboard outside telling the world that you are there.

Business Can Be Done From Any Place

HI-WAY Sellers Need Patience

 

One of the most beautiful things the African continent has to offer are the traditional African markets. Although more developped than the rest of the continent South Africa still has a lot of them! Hi-Way in Mdantsane is one of them. But times are hard for the sellers. The global recession has not spared South Africa. The smile is still there on the faces but life has definitely changed for the worse for many!

After the morning buzz and after preparing the stalls and displaying the merchandise, comes the wait. Sometimes a very long wait! 

"Nobody buys anything these days", one seller said. Only the hair-salons are still doing ok. I am thinking of changing my line of busniess. But even they suffer. And I don't know really about hair!"

This seems to be a fact and the cheap and low quality Chinese imports, flooding the country from every angle do not help either. Now everybody has the same things on offer.

While relations with China are intensified and China is getting a tighter grip on Africa more and more traditional craft techniques disappear and die, because the products are too expensive and the producers can not find ways to sell them in this global economy on their own.

So for many the only thing to do is wait, and continue doing the things they already do!

Busy At HI--WAY

Hi-Way scenes during a mid week morning

 

The Last Sheep

While the last sheep waits more or less patiently on Hi-Way market that his fate will be determined, a group of young men are engaged in a board game and some intense conversation on on the other side.

Everything Under Control On Hi-Way !

There is no other way to say this, but the "Orange Dude" is an institution in Mdantsane.

Hope he forgives me for calling him like that.  But whenever I come to Mdantsane he is there, around Hi-way in front of an orange mountain counting the money in his plastic bag.  He is there, was there and should never leave. I give him dozens of likes if he ever sets up a fan page.

And there is no way that his picture could not crown a page in our book.

Call Someone

Call your mother, or your aunt, your uncle and your friend.

Does not matter.

Just call someone and say Hi how are you!
Call because you can.
I am going to call my mother.

Medium To Rare

If you are a Vegetarian or a Vegan you might want to skip this post.

But if you love and appreciate meat like many African people do, then the meat section of the Hi-Way market might just be right for you. Not everybody can afford meat and a meal with a hearty tasty piece of meat, a stew of tribe cooked with spices and vegetables is simply and purely considered happiness. And it is.

Every morning the tables are topped up with fresh meat

And there is no lack of intestines as well. For the tribe and liver lovers this is the place to get it.

You can buy every desired part of the animal, inside and outside - if available of course.

All the delicacies that have crowned European butchery tables many years back and that can not be sold anymore nowadays, because of diseases like BSE and Mad Cow disease, can still be found here.

There is never shortage of company

Some ladies work together

and are helping each other with cleaning and cutting the meat into portions, dealing and selling to costumers and every other task that their business entails.

And to safeguard the money two are always better than one.

Others however prefer to work alone

and have their shop space and time to themselves.

You can also order from the ladies if you are looking for something specific like a whole cow head.
They will get it from the farmers that supply them.

This meat when nicely cleaned and prepared is really good, Pelisa explains.

Sololo Jah Mafu

We met Sololo Jah Mafu today for the first time. 

He crafts beautiful leather sandals and bags. Everything is handmade and hand-stitched.

And his smile is as infatuating as his products. 

He sells his products on the Mdantsane Hi-Way market.

We love his products because they have that real handmade unique look. 

They have soul !

Solo is one of many talented artists in Mdantsane.

With more support and more capital we could imagine him develop a line of great leather accessories for men and women. What South Africa needs is more support for the individual craftsmen and artists. 

There are many programs for crafts associations and groups but very few for individuals.

Sololo Jah Mafu is another example of someone who has developed a skill and is able to take it to another level. And we hope he will.

People are active and innovative in Mdantsane!

Twenty Five For A Bag - Winter Vegetables

This lady is selling delicious looking fresh vegetables on the Hi-Way central market.

Everything needed for a good warming winter soup like carrots, potatoes, onions, green pepper  and cabbage can be found here and bought cheaper than in town.

with one of her friends keeping her company.