Waisea Tavui has been a market vendor the last 40 years and he would not trade it for another profession.

Tavui, 57, from Matuku said money he has made from selling at the market has put his children through school, paid his bills, put food on the table and clothed his family.

“Then there are church and vanua obligations and other things which I have been able to afford for myself and family from the money I make there,” Mr Tabui said.

Mr Tavui started selling at the Suva Market at the age of 17. He buys bulk from farmers as his stock at the market.

“I had no choice, I dropped out of school since my family could not afford to keep me in school then,” he said.

“I had to make a living as I should not be a burden to others.

“I had a bit of maths knowledge and that helped me calculate things  and to also make money from what I buy to sell.

“All the produce I sell is bought from local farmers – since I buy in bulk and have good relationships with the farmers I make good profit.”

He said he decided to sell at the market for the needs of his children and basic necessities for their home.

“I have frequent customers who over the last four decades have been my regulars. These regulars at times give me advance their orders.

“This is what keeps my business running – I have mastered crop seasons and can predict good times to buy more from the producers because of demand from customers.

“People love to buy fresh and quality products.

“Selling at the market is very exciting especially when no day is a dull day, you learn a new thing every day and you make a friend every day – what other place can you do that?

Mr Tavui has plans to move on – he plans to have his own livestock farm.

“My plan is to own a small livestock farm and I am planning to start sometimes by the middle of this year,” he said.

“I have done all that I had planned, now I want to do want I had always wanted – have the time to relax, a few cows, plant my own food and have my grandchildren over the holidays.”