by Siyanda Zinyanga and Gcina Ntsaluba
Eight metres from Makhanda’s City Hall, a 77-year-old sits under the sun stitching shoes. Even when it’s raining he works, as hunger does not wait for weather.
Veliti Qolohle was paralysed after being struck in the 1980s with a stone on his head which caused the right side of his body to malfunction. He now uses a skill he was taught by his father who is no longer living. Mr Qolohle may be old and forgetful, but he knows he never got the chance to finish school.
Working in apartheid time
He worked in the gold mines from 1966 to 1974, then returned to his home town (Makhanda) and was hired by the company constructing the Monument and Kimberly House at Rhodes University. He worked as a brick transporter carrying the heavy weight of bricks by wheelbarrow. He noted that even though apartheid was cruel to people of colour, he was never treated badly by white people as they adored him for his work ethic. He had a wife that bore him six children. The relationship didn’t work and they separated. He found another woman, who bore him four children, and who he currently lives with.
It was after his return that Mr Qolohle learnt to sew from his late father who, he says, gave him a blessing to do the right thing so that God can extend his days on earth. “I pray to God, I talk alone, people get money for their hard work but I’m broke,” he said.
Qolohle was supposed to get a form of compensation from the mines, but that has not materialised. He said he has been to the Department of Labour to establish what he must do to get compensated, and was told that he should have claimed his money before 2012.
The shoemaker’s dream
Now he works seven days a week and walks from Joza to town every day. “I forget that I am disabled as I have to think about what we will eat for tomorrow,” he said. According to Mr Qolohle, some customers leave their shoes behind to be fixed and never return. He then sells these shoes to customers who like them. He stated that in the sewing business he runs he gets help with ‘off cut’ equipment from outlets that manufacture couches around town. Despite reaching out to other people for help, none has come. However, 16 years ago, the municipality did help him with buying material for his business — but that support has halted.
“When I work my right arm is not alright, I lack good equipment.” Mr Qolohle stated that the leather and sole material that he buys, as well as the ones he is given, are of low quality since good equipment costs a lot. He added that he does not only sew shoes but also makes them, he makes school shoes and boots. He also has a dream. He said if he can be helped with an industrial machine he would be able to pass on his skills to the youth of Makhanda, especially students. “I’m old but the heart to work is alive,” he said. People like his work, and those who come for the National Arts Festival have been big customers in the past. But lack of equipment means he struggles to meet their demands.
“It’s lucky to find respectful kids nowadays. I don’t know the cause but kids have lost respect,” he said, recalling that he had been mugged on his way home from work by a tsotsi who took his wallet containing R50 and a bank card. He added that three other robbery attempts had failed due to him being stubborn.
Life at home – and some sage advice
“The life of an elder is not a better one,” Mr Qolohle said. He lives in a house that has broken windows and he has been not able to repair them, since he is fighting a war of the stomach. This problem causes his house to feel cold as air blows in and out, the way it wants. He says that his children often help out with some of the necessities needed in the house but that they cannot afford everything as they themselves are having challenges in life. Some of them live in other provinces. His wife advises him to not think too much about whatever is happening in their lives.
But, Mr Qolohle said, “I don’t want to die and leave her behind struggling.” If he does not return with money after work, his wife, who is unemployed, gets frustrated but eventually calms down. His pension money buys basic needs in the house and in his business. He regrets not saving money earlier on in his life. “Whatever you earn, put some for later,” he advised.
A note on South Africa’s informal economy
In South Africa around 60% of micro-enterprises are in the informal sector (businesses that are not registered for tax) and they contribute significantly towards the creation of jobs. Informal sectors often operate in places where poverty, inequality and unemployment are high. Stats SA data confirms that more men than women were entering the informal sector. However, there’s also evidence that the trend has changed. It pains Mr Qolohle when it’s raining to see municipality and other salaried workers walking past without even looking at him getting wet. Yet when they come for his service he makes sure that he leaves an impression on them by doing good work.
