Marchand La Foire - The Book

22/07/2026

Dear family, friends and valued supporters,
Thank you for your incredible encouragement and enthusiasm for my first book Marchand La Foire – The Untold Story of Mauritius’ Street Vendors.

Due to an unforeseen delay in the international shipment, the arrival of the books has been delayed. We now expect the hardcover edition to reach Mauritius during the second week of August.

While this means a short wait, it also gives us a little more time to prepare what we hope will be a memorable and meaningful official launch.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support. I truly appreciate every message of encouragement and look forward to sharing this special milestone with you very soon.

The wait will be worth it.

17/07/2026

Dear family, friends and valued supporters,

Thank you for your incredible encouragement and enthusiasm for Marchand La Foire – The Untold Story of Mauritius’ Street Vendors.

Due to an unforeseen delay in the international shipment, the arrival of the books has been slightly delayed. We now expect the hardcover edition to reach Mauritius during the second week of August.

While this means a short wait, it also gives us a little more time to prepare what we hope will be a memorable and meaningful official launch.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support. I truly appreciate every message of encouragement and look forward to sharing this special milestone with you very soon.

The wait will be worth it.

09/07/2026

Every era produces a song that captures the spirit of its people, a melody that carries both their sorrow and their strength. In Mauritius, during the turbulent mid-1980s, “Mo Mars Marsé” became such a song.
Follow the YouTube link below … and listen to this nostalgic melody of the 80’s
This song resonates profoundly with the story of the “Marchand La Foire”. For many of those same young people rejected from offices and factories, the only path left was the street market. They turned sidewalks into spaces of dignity, independence and survival.
Written and performed by Nitish Joganah of the legendary protest music ensemble Group Latanier, it gave voice to a generation of young Mauritians lost between education and unemployment, between hope and harsh reality. The lyrics speak not merely of joblessness, but of the invisible walls that kept many capable young men and women outside the doors of opportunity. The song’s refrain, “Mo mars marsé”, is more than a lament; it is an anthem of perseverance. It captures the daily march of thousands who roamed city streets with certificates in hand but no job to claim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Yx0_pDlgU&list=RD55Yx0_pDlgU&start_radio=1

Mo mars marsé by Nitish Jogannah - uploaded via http://www.mp32u.net/

28/06/2026

Marchand La Foire - The Untold Story
By: Faiz Hossenbocus, is more than a chronicle of street markets, it is, in many ways, a story of Mauritius itself in the 1980’s. From the colourful stalls of Quatre Bornes to the bustling alleys of Cité Martial, Flacq, Riviere du Rempart, Mahebourg and Goodlands, this book pays tribute to the unsung men and women who built their lives through grit, creativity, and hope.

In the 1980’s , when opportunities were limited and access to education was beyond reach for many, thousands of ordinary Mauritians turned to La Foire - the open-air market, as their university of life. Through instinct, courage, and hard work, they embodied the true spirit of entrepreneurship.

Blending history, personal testimony, and social reflection, this book traces how the Marchand La Foire shaped not only local commerce but also the cultural identity of our nation. Each story from humble beginnings to quiet triumphs, reveals a deep humanity that continues to define the Mauritian experience.

Rich with anecdotes, lived experiences, and heartfelt truths, Marchand La Foire is a tribute to a generation who “marched and traded” their way through adversity, reminding us that resilience is not taught, it is lived.

20/06/2026

Coming Soon - Mid July 2026

Marchand La Foire - The Untold Story
By: Faiz Hossenbocus, is more than a chronicle of street markets, it is, in many ways, a story of Mauritius itself in the 1980’s. From the colourful stalls of Quatre Bornes to the bustling alleys of Cité Martial, Flacq, Riviere du Rempart, Mahebourg and Goodlands, this book pays tribute to the unsung men and women who built their lives through grit, creativity, and hope.

In the 1980’s , when opportunities were limited and access to education was beyond reach for many, thousands of ordinary Mauritians turned to La Foire - the open-air market, as their university of life. Through instinct, courage, and hard work, they embodied the true spirit of entrepreneurship.

Blending history, personal testimony, and social reflection, this book traces how the Marchand La Foire shaped not only local commerce but also the cultural identity of our nation. Each story from humble beginnings to quiet triumphs, reveals a deep humanity that continues to define the Mauritian experience.

Rich with anecdotes, lived experiences, and heartfelt truths, Marchand La Foire is a tribute to a generation who “marched and traded” their way through adversity, reminding us that resilience is not taught, it is lived.

15/06/2026

Coming Soon - Mid July 2026

Marchand La Foire - The Untold Story
By: Faiz Hossenbocus, is more than a chronicle of street markets, it is, in many ways, a story of Mauritius itself in the 1980’s. From the colourful stalls of Quatre Bornes to the bustling alleys of Cité Martial, Flacq, Riviere du Rempart, Mahebourg and Goodlands, this book pays tribute to the unsung men and women who built their lives through grit, creativity, and hope.

In the 1980’s , when opportunities were limited and access to education was beyond reach for many, thousands of ordinary Mauritians turned to La Foire - the open-air market, as their university of life. Through instinct, courage, and hard work, they embodied the true spirit of entrepreneurship.

Blending history, personal testimony, and social reflection, this book traces how the Marchand La Foire shaped not only local commerce but also the cultural identity of our nation. Each story from humble beginnings to quiet triumphs, reveals a deep humanity that continues to define the Mauritian experience.

Rich with anecdotes, lived experiences, and heartfelt truths, Marchand La Foire is a tribute to a generation who “marched and traded” their way through adversity, reminding us that resilience is not taught, it is lived.

11/06/2026

About the author:

Abul Faiz Hossenbocus is an entrepreneur, corporate trainer, story teller and business leader with over four decades of experience in technology and business development. He has played a key role in business growth, education and leadership development in Mauritius and the region.

He is also a frequent speaker at forums on leadership, entrepreneurship and economic development. He has collaborated with institutions across Africa and Asia, sharing insights on how emerging markets can balance tradition and innovation while addressing unemployment and social inequality.
At the heart of his work is a belief in people-powered progress that communities, when given the tools and opportunities, can shape their destinies with dignity and creativity. Whether training executives, mentoring young professionals, or chronicling the hidden histories of Mauritius, he remains committed to inspiring resilience and reminding us that history is not only made by the powerful, but also by the everyday individuals who navigate challenges with courage and creativity.

Through Marchand La Foire - The Untold Story, he combines his passion for story telling with deep respect and a heartfelt tribute to the resilience, dignity and entrepreneurial spirit of a generation that helped shape the soul of Mauritius.