Local florist, Bona Ntshaba, who, for the last 22 years, has been travelling to Johannesburg once a week to collect and then sell fresh flowers at the BP service station in Jeffreys Bay, has received a great amount of support from people in the area.
As a young boy, Ntshaba loved the smell of flowers and how beautiful they looked.
While playing in the bush near his home in Johannesburg, he enjoyed picking the most colourful flowers.
“When I was younger, I used to play in the bush with my friends and picked flowers which we then gave to each other,” said Ntshaba.
“This is how I learnt about flowers and how to take good care of them.”
When Ntshaba left Johannesburg in 1990, he began selling flowers in Kariega (then known as Uitenhage) with his brother, Eliot Dladla.
In the same year, he travelled to Jeffreys Bay and found that he loved the town and decided to stay, while his brother continued to sell flowers in Kariega.
He then settled in Oceanview and found the perfect spot to sell his flowers, in front of the BP.
For at least 22 years, people in the area have loved seeing Ntshaba and his brightly coloured array of flowers.
To ensure he provided his customers with the best quality flowers, at least once a week, he travels to collect fresh flowers at the Multiflora Flower Market in Johannesburg, which he then sells to people passing by the BP garage.
With help from the owner of BP garage, Deon Freemantle, Ntshaba stores his flowers at the storage facility at the garage to ensure that they stay hydrated and fresh.
“The people in Jeffreys Bay have been supporting me for many years and I am so grateful for their support. It is important for me to sell fresh flowers that are in good condition, and I am therefore so thankful to Deon for allowing me to store my flowers at his garage,” said Ntshaba.
During one of his routine trips to Johannesburg to collect flowers in March 2020, he found himself stuck in the city for six months due to the nationwide lockdown.
He said during this time he suffered a major financial blow, as he was not able to sell his flowers.
Fortunately, once he returned to Jeffreys Bay, he was able to start up his business and thanks to his loyal customers he was able to make the necessary money he needed.
“When I am away from Jeffreys Bay I always think about the area where I sell my flowers and the kind people of the town,” said Ntshaba.
He is now preparing for Valentine’s Day and plans to stock up on fresh flowers to sell to people in the area which they can share with their loved ones.
Ntshaba said that during the December holiday period, he had multiple incidents when people from out-of-town asked him if they could smell his flowers and would then drive off without paying for the flowers.
He said despite these negative encounters, the people of the town had always treated him well.
One of his many loyal customers, Robbie Irlam, has supported him by sharing about Ntshaba’s business on his Facebook page and has encouraged people in the town to support him.
“Bona is my best pal in Jeffreys Bay. He always makes my day when I see him,” said Irlam.
