We need medical workers, not soldiers – Emlotheni residents

Residents of Emlotheni informal settlement in Katlehong appeals to President Cyril Ramaphosa not to send the army but to rather dispatch health workers to attend to the sick, the aged and the starving.
The 500-strong community lives in shacks built on top of what used to be a dumpsite in Katlehong.

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Many of the settlement’s residents are former back-yard dwellers from different parts of Katlehong who have also lost their jobs. They can no longer afford to pay rent.
Residents told Kathorus MAIL that poverty and unemployment is at its highest as many are out of work.
Those who are working are not sure if they will still be employed in the Covid-19 aftermath.
Emlotheni is an undeveloped settlement around Kathorus where the destitute, the homeless and the poor search for shelter.

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The community say they face some unbearable living conditions, exacerbated by unemployment, hunger, alcoholism, teenage pregnancies, crime and grime.
Due to the lockdown, many of them have been left unable to feed their families.
“Many of us are unemployed and depend on our talents, skills and wits to survive and support our families. Lockdown has made it almost impossible for many families in the settlement to cope.”
They fear dying from starvation, more so, than from the coronavirus.
“Reality is we have to find food,” said Zukile Nkohla, a member of the local residents’ committee.

Novuyisile Zanekile (58) is a mother, a grandmother and a breadwinner lives in a three-roomed corrugated iron-sheeting shack with a number of teenagers and adults.
Before the lockdown was imposed, Zanekile said she made her living doing odd jobs, including washing people’s clothes and ironing.
Even though she did not have permanent employment, the grandmother said at least she was able to provide for her family.

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“I was able to guarantee a regular meal for my children and grandchildren every night without fail.
“Since the lockdown in March, there have been days we’ve gone to bed without food,” said the unemployed pensioner who said her life has drastically changed.

“Thanks to the generosity of my neighbours, we’ve all managed to pull through so far.”
Zanekile said although her own situation appeared dire, there were other families who were struggling more.
Besides her part-time domestic chores, Zanekile said she also has her own trolley and a large garbage bag which she uses to collect plastic.

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“I use it to collect plastic bottles in the neighbourhood, which I would re-sell at a recycling depot in Alberton. I was not making a lot of money, but I was happy knowing that I was able to meet my obligations to my children as a parent.

“Now I’m confined with no income and my children are starving. It breaks my heart,” said Zanekile.
Nondumiso Booi is a mother of four – one in high school, two in secondary and the youngest aged 12 in Grade 5 in primary school.
Like her neighbours, she spoke of the hardships she faces without an income.
“I am the family’s only breadwinner. My husband has been unemployed for years and all the family responsibilities are on my shoulders,” said Booi who has been without since lockdown.

“Now I am sitting at home with my children with nothing to eat and I have to listen to them cry of hunger.”

Nompumelelo Mazoleni (44), a mother of two teenagers, said she was in the same boat as all her neighbours.
“We are all unemployed, but we have to make sure our children are fed, clothed and at school. How does one do that when you are confined to your home?” asked Mazoleni.

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