Reuters Soccer Blog
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Community Blog: Street traders get paid
Street traders in Port Elizabeth seem to be raking in the benefits of being a host city in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Known as the Friendly City, Port Elizabeth’s street traders said this week they too were enjoying the business boom brought by the tournament.
This comes after Cape Town Street traders were flighted on a TV news channel this week saying they were taking home about R1800 on busy days, selling football paraphernalia.
Prince Makhani, who operates at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Avenue and Albany Road, said England, South Africa, Spain, Brazil and Germany national flags were selling like “hot cakes”. Ghana and Nigeria flags were also sought after.
“I normally get about R1000 and R1500 a day,” said Makhani, who sourced his stock from a Johannesburg firm. “I go to Jo’burg four times a month.”
For Sale: Thousands of nearly new Arsenal flags
Don’t be surprised if you see this message on eBay in the next few days: “FOR SALE: 57,000 red and white flags as good as new — only waved for eight minutes. Apply Arsenal FC, Emirates Stadium, North London.”
For Arsenal’s fans not only stopped waving their freebie flags after eight minutes, but they also stopped believing in their side after an hour as thousands of them trooped away from the stadium no longer able to watch as Manchester United demolished their young team.
