The Silent Builders of Our Nation: Honouring the Mothers Who Trade by the Roadside
Each time I travel across our communities, especially when am going back home in Sinazongwe I find myself drawn to the roadside not just for the view, but for the people who line it with courage and hope. There, under the burning sun or the cool evening breeze, sit our mothers strong, determined women selling vegetables, fruits, charcoal, and other goods, all in a bid to provide for their families.
These are not just traders. They are the silent builders of our nation. Through those humble stands and long days, many have raised lawyers, doctors, teachers, and nurses, people like me and you, who stand today because a mother refused to give up.
Whenever I stop to buy from them, I do it with gratitude and respect. It’s not just about buying tomatoes or groundnuts, it’s about recognizing their struggle, their pride, and their unwavering spirit. Their smile when you support them tells a story of dignity and hope, that someone noticed, someone cared.
I find true joy in supporting these mothers. They remind me that greatness often begins in small places, by the roadside, under a shade made of old sacks, in the hands of a woman who dreams beyond her circumstances.
So next time you pass by, slow down. Buy something. Offer a smile. You never know the woman you’re buying from might be raising the next leader, the next doctor, or the next teacher who will change our nation.