Evans, 36 - Cleaner

“I’m from Mpumalanga. I lost my parents at a young age. I left school in grade 8, I think. There just wasn’t money to finish. I had no one to support me, so I came to Johannesburg. I wanted a better future.

I did piece-jobs. I cleaned houses and even worked in construction. I now have a permanent job for a cleaning company. I live here alone, at the business park. I have a small room. I’ve got a radio, a small TV and stove plates. I’ve been here for 7 years. I work every day scrubbing, sweeping and cleaning.

I don’t earn much money. There’s no benefits. To make a little extra money, I sell loose cigarettes to the staff around here. I am the person everyone comes to for loose. A pack costs me R25. I make R40 for that box.

I’m lonely here. I don’t have friends. My friends are all back home. Most are dead. I find it hard to find any happiness here, but I carry on. What else can I do? I hope to one day go back to my land in Mpumalanga and start a small taxi business — just one taxi. That is enough to live a rich life. If I get the money, I will buy my taxi and leave this place behind.”