Cheapest Shop in Roeland Street

There is something satisfyingly intimate about touching a product before purchasing it. Walking on a hurry past this shop daily almost denied me the joys of finding something of my taste and style on a very affordable price. From the cape flats to school, I get to see the Roeland Street from the beginning to the end. Starting in front of Parliament, with a triggering statue of Louis Botha right up to the fire station, all I used to focus on was getting to school and carry on with my normal day. The geographical inequalities in Cape Town have subconsciously closed my eyes to some aspects of this area given my economic status as one of the apartheid legacies. The eastern side of town is definitely rich in arts. It is the only reason I sometimes find myself in these streets at evenings. The look and feel is different from that of the day as you can hear music playing and see people chilling opposite the Book Lounge in Kimberley Hotel. 

Corner of Harrington and Roeland Street

The colorful big bubbled words on the window "SALE SALE SALE, LOW LOW LOW"  used to have no impact in my interests but on this day they  demanded my attention from afar as I approached the store situated at the corner of Harrington and Roeland Street. Perhaps I was going to be excluded by the fast rolling English tongue or the high prices accommodating the middle class or high class residents, anyway I walked in because I had a task to complete. "I love your waterfall cardigan..." said the manager of the store wearing a bright smile as I entered the shop looking around to see if I could spot her. In my mind I obviously thought of a white owner with blond silky hair who would, in my imagination  stare at my face with the 'what the hack are you doing in this store?' impression. Lol! Okay maybe I was being too sarcastic with myself because like, hey the CPUT Roeland campus is here and she would obviously assume that I am a student there! 

At this time it was clear that she would grant me the permission to take pictures inside and of course engage with customers and employees -and that is all I would afford- I thought. "Thank you, Ma" I said showing gratitude and for some reason I do not know, I felt loved. The fact that sellers need customers vice versa struck my mind as I was still amazed by the warm welcome that I had never experienced at any other clothing store before.

Pop up shop window reflecting its opposite side of Roeland and Table Mountain.

 One can clearly see the Table Mountain when in Roeland Street and only for that reason many shops in the area can be a bit expensive as you can imagine. There is a lot to experience here; visit and learn from the old Roeland Street Prison which is now The Archives  useful in informing residents and tourists about the history of Cape Town at large. Among other artistic venues, the Book Lounge is one of my favorite places which I visit whenever there is an event happening whether of a local or international artist and author.

 Because of my love for the arts, I had attended a number of events in this street including book launches, debates and poetry gatherings.  Believe you me, you got to look the part for art. And entering this shop for me meant no more struggles and wasting time raiding a wardrobe that eventually gives me the same outfit I initially tried...and disliked.  "So, when did you open this store...?" the women did not let me finish my sentence, as friendly as she was she did not want to be the center of attention and so referred me to the two salesman who do everything from unpacking the stock to serving customers. Alright gentlemen, let us see what you have for us today. The Henning brothers, Ashuin and Edwin told me that they joined Pop up Shop when it opened on November Black Friday last year.

One of the cheapest dresses in the Pop up shop

With my eyes wide open I wondered how cheap the clothes were then. I wouldn’t know because I have subjected myself on to the central part of the city. I here saw the future South Africa that cares less about color of one's skin. The cheapest item on the store is R15 and on top of that I received 10 per cent discount. The area is not only fertile of history but also economic friendly for the underprivileged like myself. While touring the street, look the part!

South African google my map

It is easier to create a story using google my maps, one just needs to know your focus areas.

Enough water to flush Zuma

The only way to keep a bag of potatoes fresh is by removing the rotten one. 

Removing president of the country has been made to seem difficult.  The postponing of the State of the Nation Address is one result of how tired the country is of Zuma and that there is no more left tolerance of him from the public and opposing parties.

In 24 years of democracy, it is shockingly disturbing that it takes time to deal with such a corrupt government. The justice system is to be revisited by independently deployed bodies in accordance to democratic procedures of selecting and removing presidency. It seems the only thing that will remove Zuma is unity beyond the ANC but that of opposing parties, independent organizations and the public.

“I believe in Cyril Ramaphosa because he has his own businesses, he will not steal our money, Zuma now wants to take grants away.’’- Nomalizo Sithelo from Love Life Organisation.

One could tell by the numbers that attended the #Mandela100 Rally on the 11^th that people are losing faith in the ruling party. Perhaps Ramaphosa can make it rain even in the wilderness. What the country is thirsty for at this point is leadership that will overstep and uproot social, cultural, racial and economic divide barriers.

Another way to get rid of Zuma is through section 89 of the constitution as he has shown that he is incompetent in terms of functioning as the president of country.

 “We want fresh leadership that will prioritize us students and we want free education in our life time, Zuma Must Fall,” said Nam Magwala a PR student at the UWC. 

“For me the talk about Zuma and the Afican National Congress as a whole does no good but instead forces me to revisit conditions that I pray for to disappear. I personally do not care if Cyiril steps in as president of the country or not, all we need is someone who’s not abusing power for their personal gain but rather deliver as they promise,” said a 37 year old Ntombikayise Nkwili.

 With all this unity against Zuma surely he can be forced to step down as Mbeki did in his time of leadership. There is no fairness in protecting leadership that no longer does well for citizens.