Beggar in Randpark Ridge tells his tale of struggle
RANDPARK RIDGE – Frederick van Staden has been begging at the intersection of John Voster and Beyers Naude Drive for the past eight years; he shares of his struggles.
Located at the intersection of John Voster Road and Beyers Naude Drive is Frederick van Staden, a man who, for the past eight and half years, has been seen begging for some spare change.
Unlike most people one might see begging for money, Van Staden is always dressed in clean clothes and a hat holding his board. However, like all people one comes across, there is always more than meets the eye.
He stands for several hours at this particular intersection with hopes that someone could give the helping hand he pleads for. Diagnosed with essential tremors about 34 years ago, he found that trying to keep a job is the hardest thing for him to do. “Employers usually keep me for three months and then say I’m not just a danger to myself but to their companies too,” said Van Staden.
His current physical state is due to a car accident he had in 1983 that had him dragged by his arm for 14m. He woke from his coma 11 days later and suffered a double stroke.
Van Staden said begging for money in earlier years was a lucrative business.
“Back then one could easily walk away with at least R500 a day, now with the increase of beggars at every intersection, you are fortunate if you walk away with R150.”
With eight mouths to feed at home, his seven children and wife, Van Staden expressed he needs all the help he can get. He currently lives in the house his deceased father bought with the money he claimed from the Road Accident Fund. But, as his father left no will, he does not own the property. “Thankfully we don’t pay for the house as it was paid in full, we just have an enormous water bill and an electricity meter to pay for.”
He said that surviving off of begging is not easy and it’s something he would rather not do anymore.
“My children need to eat so I have to do something.” His hopes are to get off the street and open a workshop that helps people develop a skill they already have.
For free breaking and community news, visit Johannesburg North West’s websites:
To become a member of our WhatsApp community, send your name and surname to 079 439 5345.
