Meet the Markets of Warwick’s newly qualified tour guides!
When the Markets of Warwick tour project was initiated, it was clear that the traders themselves would be the best tour guides to guide and showcase their markets. A trader was selected from each market to attend a tour guide training programme, and they all qualified as professional tour guides in December 2010.
Precious Dlokova sells spices in the Early Morning Market. She has been trading there for 3 years.
Dumi Mteshane sells shoes, bags, and hats in the Berea Station Market. She started trading 3 years ago.
Fikile Dingumhlaba sells bags, hats, shoes and caps in the Berea Station Market. A university graduate, Fikile has been trading in the market for over 10 years.
Sthembiso Gumede sells Muthi (traditional herbs) at the Herb market. He has been trading herbs for 6 years and is a trainee Traditional Healer, following in the footsteps of his father who is a well respected traditional healer.
Lindeni "Toe" Shozi is a beader and she sells her beaded products in the Bead Market. Her work is bought from top local and international designer shops, and her items are very popular with international buyers because of her unique designs. She has been trading for 7 years.
Sizakele Nyawo, aka "Lihle", sells shoes, bags, hats, scarves in Brook Street Market. She has been trading for 3 years.
Slindile Dlomo sells cooked bovine (cow) head meat at the Bovine Head Market. She started working at the market about 10 years ago, helping her mother part-time while she was still a learner in Grade 8. Today, she works on her own stall in the market.
Jabulani Sambo has been trading for almost 20 years. He started trading as a boy helping his uncle, and later started trading on his own. Today, he has his own stall selling pinafores (aprons) that his wife makes from home as well as shoes, bags, and hats.
I think it is great that people are also empowered to do their work better and opening new opportunities for them. This is real empowerment.