Sunrise and Sunset job seeker prefers face-to-face deals on the street
One of the job seekers, Simba, returns daily to Sunrise Boulevard with a handmade placard, seeking work on his own terms, preferring street deals over traditional employment.
The familiar sight of job seekers lining up on the corner of Sunset Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard in Fourways has returned despite recent police operations, as if they never left.
Men and women crowd the pavement, standing shoulder to shoulder, each holding a handmade placard listing their skills, from domestic work and plumbing to gardening and electrical repairs, in the hope of securing a job.
Read more: Job seeker allegedly assaults mother in front of her 7-year-old in Fourways
The choice of location is deliberate. Sunrise Boulevard and Sunset Avenue are in a busy commercial hub, and job seekers position themselves where they are most likely to be noticed.
Homeowners and business operators can quickly spot someone with the exact skill they need. When a toilet leaks, a bathroom requires fixing, or a garden needs attention, hiring directly from the street is often faster and more affordable than going through established companies.
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Intern journalist Reitumetse Gugushe reports from Sunrise Boulevard in Fourways, moved by the struggles of job seekers, as they rush toward a car in the background, hoping to strike a deal. Video: Ditiro Masuku #Fourways #Jobseekers ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
This convenience is part of what motivates the job seekers to return day after day, regardless of the weather conditions. Drivers slow down, conversations spark, and deals are struck in minutes. It is a rhythm the job seekers on this road have come to know very well.
Simba, who prefers to go by only his name, said: “We don’t want to be owned. We want to be our own bosses.” For him, the street offers autonomy and flexibility that permanent employment cannot.
Also read: Organization connects job seekers with employers
Simba said he always returns to the same spot, as he believes it is the best way to find work. “I prefer meeting people face-to-face, rather than online. I believe it wastes time. Also, I make more deals being here, than when one gets permanent employment.”
He said he has been job seeking at this spot since 2007 and has no plans to relocate.
Meanwhile, we reached out to Xolani Fihla, spokesperson at JMPD, regarding ongoing enforcement operations in this area. Fihla promised to revert with a response. An update will be provided when received.
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