Feeling rather sorry for myself during these financially trying times and attempting to make some hard earned cash, I made my way to the pastoral Irene Market to sell the range of women’s clothing which I sell on a part time basis.   Selling at markets is hard work -arriving in the wee hours of the morning, shlepping all the goods out to your allocated stand, setting up and then waiting for the hordes to rush over and purchase copious amounts of your wonderful garments.  

However, much to my disappointment, no hordes were rushing to my stand, as beautiful as the clothes are.  They rushed straight past me to Theresa’s stand and a continual chorus of “oohs” and “aahs” drove me to distraction.

Theresa is a Zimbabwean born woman with a huge smile and a head dressed in abundantly impressive dreadlocks.  She laughs heartily and chats everyone up shamelessly.  

Theresa lived in a rural village in Zimbabwe and her husband went to find work in the city, leaving her to raise the children.  She was one of many women in the same boat, who struggled to survive on a daily basis.  Much to their relief, they were discovered by a German woman, working for an NGO, whose name I never discovered.  This kind soul gathered together 120 of the local women and proceeded to teach them skills in crafts 

such as sewing, fabric painting and painting mugs, candleholders, buckets and the like.  

Theresa excelled in the painting and put together a range of brightly painted plates, mugs, cookie jars, plant-holders, trays and candleholders.  Each object has a rural scene painted on it with hard working women being the centre of attraction.  She then taught her husband and her mother and together they built up a range of products to sell.  She went on to teach her children too.

Times became tough in Zim and the family decided to try and build a business in South Africa.  Theresa has done exceedingly well, selling her wares at Irene Market and at the famous Rosebank Rooftop Market, where many tourists snap up her goods.  She also sells her goods at a few tourist shops in Rosebank and Sandton.  Tough times do not hold Theresa back.

She gaily told me that she would support me at my next market appearance and encouraged me to push through the recession.  I did not make much financial gain on this particular day, but I did walk away a lot wealthier than when I arrived.  I was inspired by a simple woman who grabbed hold of what was given to her and used it to change her circumstances.