A STREET vendor for The Fiji Times revels at the friends he has made over the years.
Sakiusa Matavola, 49, also loves the fact that while out at the Suva bus station selling The Fiji Times newspaper, he answers to no one.
Yesterday, he expressed his gratitude for the news stands and T-shirts supplied by The Fiji Times Ltd.
Mr Matavola dropped out of school at Class Four level and began selling The Fiji Times at the age of 14.
He said his workday began with the doorstep delivery to bus drivers then he takes his place at his seat and sells The Fiji Times.
Thirty-five years on and three children later, he still sells the newspaper.
The Vanuatu man who now lives in Nadera says he enjoys what he does.
His son Nasoni Voro, 25, occasionally helps his father sell newspapers while the older son, 28 years, played rugby and his daughter was married.
The Fiji Times publication has been sold by street vendors for more than 40 years.
Today, Mr Matavola has six people working for him in Suva and Nausori — all selling The Fiji Times.