A while ago I posted some "Out of Africa" photos and stories and when this next one passed through my email I thought I just had to share it. Also it does in a way fit in with my theme as far as the braais go.
As in most, if not all major Cities, and most of the small towns in Africa, informal trade flourishes and pavement vendors can be found all over selling anything from cigarettes to clothing, from plastic sunglasses to leather goods and fruit. In fact pretty much anything can be bought from the informal markets as you can see;
This enterprising fellow was photographed in Rissik Street in Johannesburg selling sets of false teeth! He apparently sources most of his stock from undertakers and mortuaries and the customer is welcome to try the teeth out until a perfect fit is found.He has some tools to make minor adjustments such as filing the plastic plates and there is a mirror on his table so that the customers can check out their new smiles!
It has to be a lot more economical at R20 per set than buying though a dentist.As I said, after visiting this guy the people would be a lot more comfortable at a braai.
You gotta love Africa man! I certainly do.
9 comments:
I am due for a new set of dentures...so perhaps a visit to Rissik Street is a L'ordre du Jour.
Very funny and informative post...I like to people watch while they are going about they ordinary daily lives...fascinating stuff.
That's great Andrew! Dunno whether you were ever a fan of Steptoe and Son decades back on TV but there was an episode where the dad rag and bone man was ferreting through a sack of old false teeth, trying them out. Absolutely brilliant!
Actually Baron maybe a few posts on the pavement vendors in this country would be interesting, I also like to people watch - I'll think on that.
Yes Geoff I saw that episode of Steptoe and Son, made me think of it too - I used to love that series.
Geoff...did you watch Step Toe and son in the UK...?
Small world man...that was my favorite show at the time man...very special...I was so sad when the son suddenly died...in real life...!
Baron:
Yep, I did! only emigrated in '75. Loved both of them in the movie "San Ferry Anne" or was it "The Plank"? Host of other stars in them too.
Gee, I really must be an old fart :-)
Hey so you are a voyeur as well...lol...please watch and post as many as you can of these kinds of stories...for they reflect what life and life's struggles are all about...BTW, I was serious about the dentures...maybe you can negotiage a good price for me mate ...ldet me know
OK Geoff..this confirms it mate...we're both old farts...lol...but as long as we can ride not only motorcycles...I think, we're doing fine bud...don't you...lol...hope you went on that bicycle ride to slow down aging...cheers
Ok guys I think I'm going to contact that guy in Rissik street and maybe we can get an online business going? You give us a rough idea of what you need and we'll send a couple of sets over for you to try out - how does that sound? Dentures are us!
You gotta love African salesmanship and ingenuity ;-)
Does he even wash them before the next customer tries it??
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