By Palesa Matlala
- Construction worker Alphas Setlape works two jobs but earns R130 a shift and pays R104 a day in taxi fares.
- To cut his travel costs, Setlape shares a room near his construction site with a colleague who works night security.
Alphas Setlape, 46, wakes up before sunrise and often finishes work after dark. The Orange Farm resident works two construction jobs in Johannesburg just to survive.
He started on one shift earning R60 a day. A night-shift job raised his pay to R130 per shift. But he spends R104 every day on taxi fares between Orange Farm and Johannesburg.
“Orange Farm is far. I must take a local taxi to the rank then take another one to Joburg. To save money I would get off at Xavier and walk another 40 minutes to work and still I was not saving any money,” said Setlape.
To cut his costs, Setlape shares a room near the construction site with a colleague. The colleague works night security and lets him stay without charging extra rent.
“When I knock off at 3pm, I go to my another construction job just three streets away from here. I bath and sleep. My shift starts at 7pm and I knock off at 6am,” said Setlape.
He then reports for his morning shift at 9am. On Fridays, he travels home to Orange Farm to see his family.
“I had to sacrifice going home so that my family can eat and my children can go to school,” he said.
Setlape learnt bricklaying from his neighbour. Workers on site do not get proper safety gear, he said.
“We do not have overalls, boots, helmets and masks to wear. When we get injured we are expected to continue working or risk not getting paid or even losing your spot,” said Setlape.
About 5.3 million South Africans are estimated to earn below the national minimum wage. Entry-level construction workers usually earn between R6,000 and R7,600 a month, but those without formal training often earn much less.
Pictured above: A construction worker on a building site in South Africa.
Image source: Supplied
