A parcel of roti may sound like a simple meal, but to Makitalena Yalimai, 62, it symbolises her journey of survival.
For more than five decades, she has earned a living by selling roti parcels, a humble trade that has sustained her family through the years.
Her roti sales sent her 13 children to school, paid the bills, and helped put food on the table.
“People may look down on selling food parcels but I cannot,” she said. “It has been my life since I was a young girl.”
“My parents sold roti and fruits from Natovi Jetty when I was a kid. I would help them out during weekends. Now it has stuck with me.”
The Naloto, Vereta woman wakes up at 2am while the world sleeps. She prepares and cooks with care, making sure she reaches the jetty in time to catch the first boat at around 6am.
It has been 50 years since she first started working as a food vendor, yet she shows no signs of retiring.
“On this jetty, there is no retirement age,” she said.
“As long as you have the strength and passion, business goes on.”
Beyond being a source of income, her work keeps her physically active. Without the daily demands of her job, she believes she would spend most of her time sitting idly.
“My children want me to retire but that’s what I don’t want. I feel that as long as I have strength, I should be active and should continue to earn a living.
“Besides, I don’t like to depend on my husband and children. I want to earn an income and be my own boss.
“There will come a time when I’d grow very old and weak. That time is not here yet.”
Makitalena completed her schooling up to Form 6 at Cathedral Secondary School.
“That’s how far my parents could support my education so I helped them by selling roti.
“I realized that no matter what I did, if I lacked perseverance and determination, I wouldn’t go anywhere.”
“So I decided to sell food as a career. I haven’t stopped and have no intention of quiting.”
Today, Makitalena also mentors young women who sell food at Natovi. She is the president of the Muaniwavu Women’s Club, made up of 30 women food vendors operating at the jetty. The club’s job is to overlook pricing, quantities, standards and hygiene.
Her vision is to seek government or private assistance to build a more professional space for selling food — for the benefit of commuters, sea travellers, and the hardworking women of Natovi Jetty.
Apart from roti, Makitalena has expanded her range of food products to include fish, sanwiches and baked goods.
She has seen majopr changes on the Tailevu jetty, from the days when the only boats around were Jubille, Ovalau and Princess Ashika to current day, when boats depart and arrive daily, seven days a week, whole year round.
“Many things have changed on the jetty, the number of boats, the size of the jetty, the facilities and number of offices. Only one thing remains unchanged – our passion to serve.
“Every day women turn up to make life easier for the public and most importantly, to feed our families and send our children to school. Lives depend on us.
