The man, his shelter, and the reason to vote
In Wes Street, a few toes stick out of a torn stocking.
It was registration weekend.
Voters were encouraged by posters on trees, ‘Get up, show up, vote’.
Close to one of the posters inviting residents to register, a homeless man builds his ‘little house’.
Built from waste plastic and cardboard.
His blanket was a piece of plastic.
On a bitterly cold Friday night, this was his escape.
His suitcase, inside the shelter, his shoes, outside.
Between the two shoes, a few toes stuck out of a torn stocking.
This was the only indication that there was a person inside.
When the sun showed its sad face on Saturday morning, he was still lying there… half-lifeless.
He regularly builds the shelter right next to the road.
Cars whizzed by.
Somewhere in a house, someone was busy eating bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Standing under a hot shower.
Complaining because the coffee wasn’t hot enough for their liking.
Councillors recruiting people to vote.
Somewhere on a WhatsApp group, people are complaining about a power outage.
Complaining about Kees Taljaard Park being neglected.
Complaining about water.
Complaining about garbage that hasn’t been removed.
Complaining about potholes.
Complaining about street lights that don’t work.
Complaining about illegal landfills.
A woman announces she won’t vote.
“I vote for God.”
A noble thought.
Why are you complaining then?
Don’t complain after November if you haven’t marked your cross for your vote.
Now is the time to vote for a better Middelburg.
Stop complaining. Do something.
Get up. Show up.
Vote!
