Mama Rooney in Cape Town

If you like this piece you can buy a kindle version of the book Ten Traveller’s Tales, which contains this story.

”

Greenmarket Square is at the heart of Cape Town. This small space at the centre of the city holds a busy open-air market where traders from as far north as  the Congo come to sell their carvings, paintings, jewellery, and instruments.

Walking around there’s plenty of good-natured banter from all the traders, both male and female; “How are you boss?”, “Would you like to take a closer look?”, and “How much money do you have to spend?” Some vuvuzelas were being blown and their cacophonous noise was occasionally intermingled with the chants from various countries’ supporters. The smell of cooked meat and fish wafted over now and then from the restaurants on one side of the square.

Most stalls are packed to the roof with items, stacked together and looking imposing and impressive. Some displays of necklaces were like a shimmering rainbow. Flags of some of the nations at the World Cup fluttered from some stalls. One stall though didn’t have many articles for sale. Doilies, place mats, and small table cloths were spread out on a very low table and behind it sat the owner. She was wearing a dark-red scarf tight over her head, a beige top, and a dress of pink and yellow floral patterns. She was of medium height and had very meaty forearms. The skin on her face was quite smooth making it difficult to discern her age.

“Where are you from, my brother?”

“England, though I live in Canada.”

“I am from Zimbabwe – I am going back there next Monday, so my prices are low.” She smiled and the teeth that were left were quite white with some growing at angles as though to cover the gaps.
“