Barefoot ball collector tells his story

POLOKWANE – The 54-year-old has been collecting golf balls at the club, retrieving them from the different water hazards, for over 20 years. He spends his days walking barefoot up and down the water hazard picking up the lost balls with his feet which he sells at the pro-shop for between R2 and R5 depending on what type of ball it is.
“I can make up to R100 on a good day and I use that money to provide for my family. It is not a glamorous job but it’s a job none the less,” Nkwana says.
“I walk around with a long stick that I use to measure the depth of the water so I know it is safe. I cannot swim and need to protect myself from the deep water,” he explains.

riana@nmgroup.co.za