The Randburg community started a petition against a shopping centre to save Ambrose, a local flower seller, from losing his place of business.
Randburg, South Africa – Julia King and many Randburg residents have watched as Ambrose has sold roses for the last 24 years. He has spent his years selling at the Johannesburg Waterfront which was then called Brightwater Commons and now the Ferndale on Republic shopping centre.
According to Julia, he is an institution. Over the years he has sold roses to men meeting their future wives for the very first time, which has led to weddings and anniversaries.
With the change of the centre, eventually, Ambrose was sent away as he was classed as an informal seller. The centre is now under new management, and this gave Julia the chance to make a difference.
She started a petition to show the management that Ambrose was not a nuisance and in fact, an integral part of the makeup of the community. His presence is one now steeped in history and without him, a hole was left.
The community all signed the petition, and it was handed over to the centre management. Due to the pressure of the community as a whole, the centre management has come up with a happy medium that will allow Ambrose to continue working and for his business to fit the aesthetic of the centre. He will no longer be classed as an informal seller.
“Wonderful news!! Ambrose met with management today, at their request, due to the social media, the petition and people caring and being vocal about it!
Not only is he welcome back to sell his roses, but they will also be buying and branding a movable cart for him, that he can park at different spots – they will be marketing for him, and they have offered to buy his first stock of roses that the cart will hold!
Thank you everyone for showing amazing support”
This is incredible news as he has not only been battling to keep his business; he has also been battling prostate cancer. As Julia has said, Ambrose now has a better chance at supporting his three children and wife.
A community took a stand and made a massive difference in one life. Now Ambrose will be able to continue changing the lives of lovers, friends and family.
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