Jobless qualified diesel mechanic barely makes ends meet
Jacques who is a qualified diesel mechanic camps out in the veld to save transport money.
Damian van der Merwe or better known as Jacques to some of the Allen’s Nek residents can often be found on the corner of Jim Fouche and Piet Retief Roads where he sells plants. When Jacques started selling plants with his wife he only had a few on offer just to survive and create some income.
The 31-year-old, however, is a qualified diesel mechanic who unfortunately lost his job two years ago. At first, he was confident he wouldn’t be out of employment for too long, but as time went by with no response to his applications, he became desperate. “I worked for Greyhound for about eight or nine years, and then we got retrenched about two years ago. I thought I would find a job in my field easily but it didn’t turn out that way. There aren’t even job advertisements in the newspaper anymore. I would send out 100 CVs and I didn’t even get a call back. It’s difficult,” he acknowledged.
Damian, who grows the plants himself, lives in Florida with his wife, five-year-old daughter and his mother whom he also supports. His current business can barely support his entire family. He admitted that, “In the beginning, it was alright. We survived but these days it is very quiet. After Covid, there was a huge difference. There has been a big decline, and it’s been hard. Sometimes for a whole month, it will be quiet. Not one person.”
Transport costs between his home in Florida and the corner where he sells his plants are R100 a day, so he and his wife camp out in the nearby veld to save costs. “If we don’t have money to go back we sleep in a small tent. We’ve been going like this for about five months. It depends, sometimes we are here for a day or two, and then we go back; it depends on how things are going.” His mother takes care of their daughter when they are not at home. All four of them live in a room they rent.
He admitted that he would love to return to his trade and do what he is qualified for. As a diesel mechanic he used to work on trucks and buses, “… anything from engines, suspensions – it doesn’t matter, anything on a truck”.
He made it clear that he did not want a handout, but any form of employment would be greatly appreciated. “I will do gardening, I will wash cars. As long as I can do something.”
Jacques is currently in the process of getting a cellphone after theirs was stolen, but he can be found at the Sasol service station at the Jim Fouche and Piet Retief Roads intersection.
