Spare a thought for the newspaper vendor
December 24th, 2011
These men and women who have nothing to do with the information in the newspapers or magazines they sell to the public, who are not responsible for the material and information in the newspapers and magazines, too often face the brutality of political thugs accusing them of promoting some political parties.
They sit on street corners from as early as four in the morning to late at night, often only able to actually read the papers they have been selling when they are back home.
These are the forgotten heroes of highway of information.
Over the years these brave newspaper vendors have been victimized by political activist and thugs, with the worst reports of some injured in deliberate hit and run accidents.
Zimbabwe is not generally a cold climate, but there are days that temperatures drop to icy limits and the vendors find difficulty just holding their newspapers. In summer temperatures soar into the mid thirties, but, these men and women soldier on, making a pittance from their commissions, so they are able to feed and send their children to school.
The coming of many players in the print media is also a blessing as it adds to their commission, and yet these houses do not do enough to support these men and women
As you pass the vendors on your way to work, spare a thought for these brave men and women and respect them.
