MAHLATZE VOKAL’S MZANZI VENDOR CELEBRATES WOMEN’S MONTH WITH GOGO VENDORS IN POLOKWANE

Mahlatze Vokal’s Mzansi Vendor Love Celebrates Women’s Month with Heartfelt Trading Places with Gogo Vendors Event in Polokwane

In a heartfelt tribute to South Africa’s street vendors, Mzansi Vendor Love, founded by Mahlatze Vokal, hosted its annual Trading Places with Gogo Vendors event on August 8, 2025, in Polokwane, celebrating Women’s Month by honoring the women who are providers, protectors, and pillars of their communities.

Street vendors, or hawkers, are the heartbeat of South Africa’s informal economy, serving as a vital lifeline for families and communities, especially in regions like Limpopo where formal job opportunities are scarce. On this special day, MahlatzeVokal and Tshepo Mathabatha, joined by the Mayor of Capricorn district, Mamedupi Teffo, President of LUBF, Mr. Matome Chidi, gave hardworking Gogo vendors a well-deserved break, taking over their stalls to keep their businesses thriving while the vendors were treated to a warm lunch at a local restaurant and a rejuvenating day spa experience, amongst other day treats. Mr. Chidi opened the event with inspiring words. “Keep doing what you do your work carries dignity, legacy, and love.”
One Gogo vendor, glowing from her day of pampering, shared, “Today, I felt seen and cared for, like my hard work matters. This kindness has given me strength to keep going.”

The event saw an outpouring of community support, with notable individuals and organizations stepping in to manage the stalls, including Lerato Maake (Reve Medi Spa), Thelma Makgamatho (Thelma M Studio), Annah Thulare (Aloma Chilli Sauce), Koketso Mabotša (AM Visual Photography), Good Hope Christian Academy, Reddiqal Studio, Foromo TC, Chidi Attorneys, and Pastor Molatelo Mashabane.

Their heartfelt participation ensured the vendors’ businesses continued to thrive, underscoring the project’s mission to empower the informal sector, which remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s economic resilience despite often being overlooked. Launched in 2021 in response to post-COVID challenges, Mzansi Vendor Love continues to advocate for fair treatment and government support for street vendors, recognizing their foundational role in community life. Mahlatze Vokal reflected, “Seeing our Gogos smile, knowing they could rest while we carried their work forward, filled my heart with joy.

This is a movement to honor the women who hold our communities together.” He added, “I feel a deep pride, rooted in my own family’s history of informal trade, to stand with these vendors and show Mzansi that their work is seen, valued, and loved.” In a touching sentiment, he shared, “Every Gogo we uplift carries a story of sacrifice and strength, reminding us that supporting them is about building a future where no one’s hard work goes unnoticed.”

The initiative will continue its impact with a second event in Polokwane on Friday, August 29, 2025, where Mahlatze Vokal, joined by celebrity peers and supportive companies, will distribute gifts, groceries, clothing, and working uniforms to street vendors. Mzansi Vendor Love invites further community support to provide vouchers and other essentials, amplifying the dignity and legacy of these vital entrepreneurs. Join the movement at #MzansiVendorLove and help uplift South Africa’s street vendors one stall, one story at a time.

Supplied