Takalani, 58 - Car Guard

“I was born in Harare. My mother is South African; my father is from Zim. I came to South Africa when I was 23. I wanted to be with my mother. I wanted a better life. There are more opportunities here. I was able to become a chef. I’m a top chef.

I worked 14 years at a café here in Jozi. I was making good food – ‘Kumnandi fucking kakhulu.’ They retrenched me when Covid came. These people still owe me money. They are bloody shit, these people. Now, you see, I’m working as a car guard. Money is not guaranteed. It’s very difficult, but there are kind people here who help me every month. The owners of two bakeries at this place sometimes pay me bonuses or give me food or old stock. They give me rusks, big boxes. I love those people. They are very good people. They help me survive.

I once owned a home, but it burned down. I had no place to sleep. My neighbour in the township took me in and gave me a place to stay. That helped me to get through one of the most difficult times of my life. That person really helped me, but these people here, in the township, most don’t care. They are shit. There’s no Ubuntu. This thing does not exist here. Maybe it does, but I’ve not seen much here. South Africans are good people. We are people of the soil and we do help each other, but not here in the township.

I would still choose to be a chef, but now I am here. I’m watching for the tsotsis. Life is difficult, but I now own a stand of land and pay fokol rent. I’m happy that my children are getting an education. One day I will start farming animals. I will sell the meat to the butchers in the township. Then you will see, I will be making money waya waya, my friend.”