One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

Some people depend on the food the wealthy throw away, just to survive.

The daily sight of the poor sorting through your rubbish bags may make your stomach turn with horror and pity but these people hold their heads high as they make their daily rounds searching for something to keep hunger at bay.

“My brother, I prefer eating from the bin than to commit crime, because I cannot use my poverty to abuse other people.

“People always think that we are lazy but that is not the case. We wake up so early to get the food. What will stop us from waking up to work, if we do get a job?” said Sbongiseni Mahlikihla, who stays on a farm in Greyland near Crocodile Creek.

Muzi Mayise is a homeless man, originally from Eshowe, who came to this area with his parents.

They were farm workers and after they died, he was left with no place to stay and he had to sleep on the streets.

“I try and find a spot in a bush and spend my night there and I wake up in the morning to get food from the bin.

“Sometimes I do get odd jobs around Ballito and I use that money for food,” said Mayise.

The Courier spoke with a number of these rubbish collectors and discovered that most are either unemployed, homeless or even working but not getting paid enough to last them through the month.

They walk from Shaka’s Head, Frasers, Greyland and other nearby areas to get to Ballito before 7am.

Although they come from different homes, when they get to Ballito they walk in groups. Most wake up around 4.30am to get to the bins before the monkeys and to beat the rubbish trucks.

There is a camaraderie among the hungry, and should one find more than he or she needs, they share with those who did not find enough food for the day.

Some have children with them or waiting at home and they dare not go home empty handed.

While the main objective is food, if they find clothes or toys for their children these are greatly cherished.

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

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