“I am not a beggar, but, because of circumstances, I need to do this to make a living, even though it is not easy. Some days I make enough to eat, other days I stay hungry.”
“I have been without work for the past six years, and for five-and-a-half of them I have been standing at intersections, selling my handmade cross necklaces. I am not doing this because I am too lazy to work, but because of my age, it is not easy to find employment,” the 60-year-old Carlus De Oliviera explained.
He added that he does receive a Sassa pension, but that it is not enough to live on. “I only receive R1 690 per month, and with that I still need to pay rent and buy the necessities. I also try to help my eldest son, who is unable to work because of his epilepsy, and his wife by sending some money to help look after my grandchildren,” he said.
Carlus has been selling his wares at this intersection for just more than two weeks now, and he said, “I moved here from another location, and find that the people passing by are more supportive here,” he said.
He sits on a chair next to the road, and makes his necklaces. As soon as he has completed a few, he puts away the beads and starts selling. This is repeated until the end of the day, when he will either have made enough money to go home with a happy heart, or not enough at all.
But, despite his circumstances, he still smiles broadly at the occupants of the cars approaching the traffic lights on the corner of Ontdekkers and Christiaan de Wet Roads, proudly displaying his handmade necklaces.
He also makes Christmas trees from wire, and decorates them with beads and lights, and said, “The trees vary in size and range from R350 to R1 000. I sold them at Clearwater last year, and did very well. I have already started making trees for this Christmas.”
Carlus said that he worked as a caretaker in Hillbrow, where he had a handyman role, fixing anything from plumbing to electrical issues. “But, I had to move out of the area because it became too dangerous. I did not want my children to grow up in that kind of environment, being exposed to drugs and all the crime,” he said.
He added that he is very good with his hands, and can almost do anything, and said, “If I cannot do it, I am willing to learn how to do it.”
He concluded by saying, “If someone stops next to me and offers me a job now, I will drop everything and go with them. I want to work, I am not disabled and am willing to work. I am not using the money to buy drugs, alcohol or cigarettes, I need it to stay alive.”
Carlus can be contacted on 071 558 9416.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
