‘I am jobless, not clueless’
"What I do keeps me away from loitering, crime and substance abuse."
Earning a living without being formally employed is very difficult for any person, especially one who is tasked with supporting his or her family.
Johannes Ndima is a resident who has not allowed poverty to gain the upper hand or sway him into a life of crime. The 30-year-old earns a living by selling children’s toys at parks, malls and in the streets.
“I started doing this job five years ago when I realised that I needed money to support my family who depend on me. This job has enabled me to put food on the table,” said Ndima, who is also a photographer.
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“I also take pictures of events and people pay me. “If I take a picture of a person, I provide the photo immediately and charge them,” said Ndima.
He said only a few people in the township are doing what he does and this is what gives him the advantage of earning honest money every day.
“The community also supports me by giving me calls to come and take pictures at their parties, weddings, graduations and more.
“What I do keeps me away from loitering, crime and substance abuse,” said Ndima. He lives with his mother and a younger sister who are both unemployed and rely on him to make sure that the family’s daily needs are met.
“I make sure that we always go to bed having eaten something and that makes me proud of myself even though I do not earn much in this business,” said Ndima.
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