Comments on: Call of the Melville Mielie Lady

By: 2summers

2summers — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 08:56:37 +0000

In reply to Ray. Definitely a legend. She has gotten a few donations!

By: Ray

Ray — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 08:52:25 +0000

The reason it sounds like Henry is because she is saying “green Mielies” very fast. When I was young there were Mielie ladies in all the suburbs and I would hear them frequently, I love this story and I miss those sounds! I really hope people donate to her retirement! What a legend!

By: 2summers

2summers — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 13:23:39 +0000

In reply to AutumnAshbough. Indeed. I'm not totally sure but I think she started selling the cooked mielies once she got her first specially made trolley (because they became easier to carry with her at that point).

By: AutumnAshbough

AutumnAshbough — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 13:20:10 +0000

Street vendors have all but disappeared, replaced by food trucks and farmer’s markets, at least in Los Angeles. I guess the fact that Betty’s cooked mielies sell out first is a sign of the changing times.

By: 2summers

2summers — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 11:33:44 +0000

In reply to Anneliese Cianfanelli. Annaliese, thanks so much! I will email you :)

By: Anneliese Cianfanelli

Anneliese Cianfanelli — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 11:28:43 +0000

hello Heather, your stories warm my heart, thank you. Please send me Betty’s banking details. Wishing you much strength, energy and will to continue your wonderfully, inspirational blogs. Anneliese C

By: 2summers

2summers — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:41:07 +0000

In reply to dizzylexa. That’s great to hear Kensington’s mielie lady is still going. I wonder how many suburbs still have one?

By: dizzylexa

dizzylexa — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:28:59 +0000

I did occasionally see Betty on the streets in Melville with her wonderful carts but we too have a mielie lady who also calls out her Meeee-Leeees whilst pushing her shopping cart along the streets of Kensington. Love tribute to Betty and I wish her all the very best.

By: Albert

Albert — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:18:34 +0000

Wonderful human interest story. What a pity that there aren’t more mielie ladies in the suburbs. Seems like the end of an era.

By: 2summers

2summers — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:15:19 +0000

In reply to Maarten. Yes, Melville certainly won't be the same without her.

By: Maarten

Maarten — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:14:15 +0000

Hi, Even after her farewell on Saturday Betty was on the street yesterday and her HENRY….. HENRY was loud and clear as always. We wil miss her sound and her mielies if she really decides not to be on the street anymore.