Lockdown woes for poorer residents

Residents in certain parts of Benoni have struggled with nothing to eat, and the food parcels that were promised are apparently nowhere in sight.

Lindelani informal settlement residents are struggling to survive this lockdown; some have large families to look after.

No one in our house is working. I survive and feed my family through selling things. The grant money helps, but I need to take care of about 10 children in this small shack,” said Khethiwe Mathe, a Lindelani resident.

The lockdown has hit us hard. There is not a lot I can provide for these children. We have not yet received any food parcels and it is getting harder and harder for me to look after them,” she added.

 

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Since lockdown started, many people have not been working and some companies have opted for an unpaid leave method to avoid shutdowns and staff reduction when the pandemic is over, that has left a gap in some families who rely heavily on full salaries to make ends meet.

For Lindelani resident Thembelihle Mcwango, life has not been easy. She said her husband is working, but the number of days are halved due to the low productivity in the company. She said they survive through selling goods.

During this lockdown, poorer communities face various struggles.

Tomas Masina, another Lindelani resident, said: “I have no food in the house. I used to look for work by the freeway, hoping somebody will hire me for cleaning their yard or working in their garden. I have not received any food parcels since the lockdown started and I think most people haven’t either.

“We are hoping for intervention very soon because as a community we are hungry. I survive through donations at the age of 59. I cannot wait until November when I will register for my pension.”

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