By: Zimaseka Daka
Nomthandazo Tyhwatyhwantsi told us a story of how life struggles got her making a living through begging for food, money and old clothes by the traffic lights.
The 49 year old Tyhwatyhwantsi decided to leave her home in Border Post outside King Williams Town due to the lack of employment and came to Parkside in East London hoping for a better job to support her grandchildren.
After struggling to find a job, she finally got work as a Gardner for two years. The grandmother of two ended up in upper Oxford Street next to Own Haven flats, where she begs for food, money and old clothes by the traffic lights.
Nomthandazo said, she prefers to be in the streets begging than staying in the township doing nothing and being called all sorts of names by her neighbours.
The only thing that forces her to beg is her two grandchildren. “My daughters are still alive but I don’t know about their whereabouts, they left their children with me, leaving me with no choice but to take care of them,” said Nomthandazo.
The grandmother says, even though her grandchildren are benefiting from the government child support grant, it is not enough as the school fees and stationary costs a lot of money.
The woman said, she understands that she is not safe on the streets and her life is at risk as she was robbed off her bag with food and clothes in it. “I am not looking only for food and clothes but for any kind of job,” said Nomthandazo.