By Buziwe Nocuze
- A retrenched man now survives by delivering water to township salons that cannot operate without water for washing hair and relaxers.
- He walks several kilometres each day charging per container and uses the income to support himself and his brother.
Mzukhona Qunta, 36, returned to the Eastern Cape after losing his job in Cape Town and struggling to afford rent.
After coming home, he noticed that many small businesses in town, especially salons, do not have water taps inside their premises.
Instead of waiting for work, Qunta decided to offer a service.
He goes door to door to salons, offering to deliver water. Some businesses now contact him directly when they run out.
He walks between two and three kilometres per trip, charging R15 for a 20 litre container and R20 for a 25 litre container.
When he started, some business owners complained about the price and compared him to drug users who charge less. But many later returned to him because he is reliable and always shows up.
On a good day, Qunta makes more than 15 trips, working from Monday to Saturday.
Most customers request 25 litre containers, which he transports using a trolley.
He walks to town in the morning to save money and usually takes a taxi home, which costs R22. Sometimes he gets a lift from people who know him, helping him save even more.
With the money he earns, he buys toiletries and supports himself and his brother.
Qunta hopes to save enough to study further and complete a cashier course so he can find more stable work.
Salon owner Zimasa Nkuhlu said paying for water delivery is expensive but necessary.
Without water, she said, salons cannot wash hair or do chemical treatments and lose customers and income.
“For us, paying him is better than closing the business for the day,” she said.
Pictured above: A water bucket in a well.
Image source: Pexels
