- Nyameka Nogemane, a 54-year-old mother from Philippi, works weekdays as a domestic worker and spends long weekend shifts at a braai stall to earn extra money.
- She now manages to buy monthly groceries and pay funeral policies after struggling before, when her income could not cover basic needs and food ran out early.
Nyameka Nogemane, a 54-year-old mother of two from Philippi in Cape Town, is working two jobs to keep her family going.
She works as a domestic worker three days a week. But the money is not enough to cover her bills and daily needs.
Nogemane says she had to find another way to earn more. She took a weekend job at a braai place near Philippi Junction mall.
There, she wipes tables, prepares meat by adding sauce and spices, and washes trays. Her day starts at 07:30 and ends at 20:00.
“I work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the money I am earn as a domestic worker doesn’t cover my bills that why I looked for another job to get an extra income,” said Nogemane.
The extra income has made a big difference in her home. She can now buy food that lasts the whole month.
Before getting the second job, she says food would run out before month end. She often had to ask neighbours for help.
“I would be embarrassed to ask my neighbors for things while I am working but I explained to them that the money is not enough,” she said.
Nogemane says she decided to act before things got worse. She knew people around her were also struggling.
“I decided to get another job because I knew that one day they would get tired of me because the truth is everyone is having hard times there’s no money,” she said.
She now also uses the extra money to pay for funeral policies for her family. She pays R400 for three policies.
“I am paying R400 to my three policies, that’s the most important thing because anything can happen anytime,” she said.
Nogemane believes it is important to be prepared so her family will not struggle if something happens.
Image Caption: Nyameka Nogemane from Philippi in Cape Town works at a braai stall for extra income.
Image source: Buziwe Nocuze
