By Staff Reporter
news@reporter.co.za
Most hawkers say selling food outside Nasrec, where the 55th ANC National Conference is underway, doesn’t bring much profit.
But one man has been making a killing.
Ndandu Makungo has been selling mpesu, a traditional aphrodisiac made from the violet tree and believed to improve performance in bed.
The root is dried in the sun and crushed. It is then diluted into porridge or mageu and enjoyed by both men and women.
“Comrades have been buying the powder in big numbers since Thursday when the conference started and others are coming for more supply,” said Makungo.
“There are members who are embarrassed to buy in public. They ask to meet in private to make a purchase. I even deliver at guest houses and hotels.”
Makungo said he manages to make thousands of rands daily and hopes to sell more until Tuesday. He said he has never made so much money since he started selling the powder a year ago. He’s hoping he will be able to make enough to build his five-room house.
But those selling anything else — for example, food — said that they are not making much profit as compared to previous conferences.
Annah Ndlovu, a hawker, said support from delegates has reduced as they are forever locked in conference proceedings.
“At the end of business I am forced to give some of the food to nyaope addicts and homeless people in the area,” she said.
“Comrades are always preaching support for small businesses but they are not practising what they preach here in conference.”
Hawkers selling party regalia are also affected.
Nomasonto Zulu said since the conference started she has only sold 10 T-shirts.
“Who is going to buy from us when delegates are locked in closed sessions the whole day?
“I used some of my salary in a bid to try to make more money, enough to pay my children’s school fees in the new year, but now I fear I wasted it.”
article was first published by Scrolla.Africa
Meet the guy who feed ANC members with Mpesu at Nasrec
By Staff Reporter
news@reporter.co.za)
Most hawkers say selling food outside Nasrec, where the 55th ANC National Conference is underway, doesn’t bring much profit.
But one man has been making a killing.
Ndandu Makungo has been selling mpesu, a traditional aphrodisiac made from the violet tree and believed to improve performance in bed.
The root is dried in the sun and crushed. It is then diluted into porridge or mageu and enjoyed by both men and women.
“Comrades have been buying the powder in big numbers since Thursday when the conference started and others are coming for more supply,” said Makungo.
“There are members who are embarrassed to buy in public. They ask to meet in private to make a purchase. I even deliver at guest houses and hotels.”
Makungo said he manages to make thousands of rands daily and hopes to sell more until Tuesday. He said he has never made so much money since he started selling the powder a year ago. He’s hoping he will be able to make enough to build his five-room house.
But those selling anything else — for example, food — said that they are not making much profit as compared to previous conferences.
Annah Ndlovu, a hawker, said support from delegates has reduced as they are forever locked in conference proceedings.
“At the end of business I am forced to give some of the food to nyaope addicts and homeless people in the area,” she said.
“Comrades are always preaching support for small businesses but they are not practising what they preach here in conference.”
Hawkers selling party regalia are also affected.
Nomasonto Zulu said since the conference started she has only sold 10 T-shirts.
“Who is going to buy from us when delegates are locked in closed sessions the whole day?
“I used some of my salary in a bid to try to make more money, enough to pay my children’s school fees in the new year, but now I fear I wasted it.”
This article was first published by Scrolla.Africa
Ndandu Makungo has been selling mpesu, a traditional aphrodisiac made from the violet tree and believed to improve performance in bed. He has been making a killing outside Nasrec, where the 55th ANC National Conference is underway.
READ: https://t.co/Cru53u9cqf#ANCNC55 pic.twitter.com/f1w7Lsy9jt
— BEAST OF NEWS (@EversonLuhanga) December 19, 2022
