TURNS 180 YEARS OLD
For decades, The Witness newspaper street sellers have helped wake the city with the morning news. Many say the job has not only provided an income, but also lasting relationships with the communities they serve.
Reggie Gengiah (69)
Street seller for 35 years
Reggie Gengiah has been selling newspapers for 35 years and currently works at the intersection of Balhambra and Newholme Way after previously selling at Khan Road corner. His day begins at 4.30am when he leaves his home in Velda Place to prepare for early customers.
Gengiah says the billboard headlines often draw readers in. “I once sold 100 papers in an hour, but that was a long time ago. People want to read the stories they see on the billboard,” he said.
Thobani Sithole (36)
Thobani Sithole sells newspapers along Allandale Drive and has been doing so for the past six months. Originally from Panorama, Sithole says the job helps him support his two children.
“I enjoy selling the paper and interacting with people. We laugh and joke with customers as they buy their papers on their way to work,” he said.
Andries Mathandela (50)
Street seller since 2000
Andries Mathandela, from Mathaiele, has been selling newspapers since 2000 while also doing occasional piece jobs. Over the years he says he has built strong relationships with customers in the community.
“I have customers who laugh and talk with me, and sometimes they even give me money to buy coffee or lunch. One friend even bought me a jacket during winter,” he said.
Mathandela says he feels honoured to sell a newspaper that is 180 years old.
Susheila Naidoo (53)
Susheila Naidoo recently started selling newspapers at the intersection of Chief Albert Luthuli and Victoria roads. She says one of the things she enjoys most about the job is interacting with customers as they stop to buy their daily paper.
Siva Naidoo (60)
Siva Naidoo has been selling newspapers for the past three years at the Boshoff and Victoria roads intersection. He says the work brings him joy because it allows him to see members of the community staying informed.
“It makes me very happy to see the community still buying the paper to keep informed about what is happening in the world,” he said.
Mfanafuthi Sbonelo Ntuli (21)
Mfanafuthi Sbonelo Ntuli distributes The Witness newspapers at the intersection of Alexander Road and Richie Road in Pietermaritzburg. He says he enjoys waking up early to deliver the morning papers, describing the work as both fun and therapeutic.
Ntuli also encourages people to continue buying newspapers, saying they contain helpful and important information.
Lindokuhle Mbanjwa (24)
Lindokuhle Mbanjwa distributes The Witness at the intersection of Moses Mabhida Road and Camps Drift Road in Pietermaritzburg.