Jeffrey, 70 - Beggar

“They call me madala. I’m from Groblersdal. I grew up on the farm. Life was hard andI had to work from when I was very young. When I was eight years old, I left school to help my mother work on our land.

I was 17 years when I came to Johannesburg. I got a job as a plasterer and painter. I worked this job for many years. But then I lost my legs and I couldn’t work anymore. I lost them both – One in 2007 and one in 2011. I got an infection in my foot – maybe diabetes, I don’t know. I have this wheelchair though. It works well. I push myself every day to this spot to come beg for money or food. It’s 3km one way. People are kind to me though. You will often see strangers pushing me in the morning and nighttime. It really helps me, and I have someone to talk to on my travels.

 I haven’t had a job since they took my legs, and I don’t receive a grant from the government or any disability payments. So, life is very difficult now. I live by myself in my mkhuku. In the township. I come here every day. Things are a struggle but waking up in the morning and pushing myself here, to this robot, gives me purpose. It makes me happy. The people are kind here. Most days I make enough money to cover my food and other things. I can’t complain. Covid was not a good time. I had days where I didn’t eat, but the church helped me. Some people in the township helped me.

My situation is not good, but I have faith in Jesus. He is watching us. I believe I must give even if I have little.  On a very good day, where I make lots of money, I will buy mieliepap for others I know are hungry. Jesus gave to me, so if I have food and you don’t, I must give to you. Life has not really gone my way, but if things were different, I would have loved to be a soccer player, or a carpenter. Maybe I can still work now. I can still paint, I can build a fence – I can still do it with my hands, you don’t need legs for this kind of work.”