By Buziwe Nocuze
- A Philippi woman pays R1,300 of her monthly wage on transport to her job at a recycling company in Epping.
- Her deaf daughter’s disability grant stopped early last year and the Philippi woman says she has been trying to reapply.
A 44-year-old woman from Siyangena informal settlement in Philippi, Cape Town, earns R4,500 a month at a recycling company in Epping. She works from 07:00 to 17:00.
She is the only person in her household with a job. She is caring for four children, including her own two, her two sisters’ children and a grandchild.
“The money doesn’t cover all my bills because I have to take R1,300 for transport,” she said. “With the rest I have to buy groceries, buy formula for my granddaughter, her mother who is disabled, and also pay for our insurance.”
Her deaf daughter used to receive a disability grant. It stopped at the beginning of last year. She has been trying to reapply but says it is taking a long time.
“Things were much better when she was getting the money because we used it to buy her daughter’s formula and electricity,” she said.
With the grant gone, she has had to cut back on what she buys. She tries to buy food combos to make groceries last, but the food often runs out before the end of the month.
“I will have to go and ask my family members,” she said. “It is better to ask them than community members who will end up gossiping about you.”
She says she is grateful to have work, knowing there are people who have none.
“I know that when my daughter’s disability issues get solved things will be much better and I will be able to sleep without stressing,” she said.
Pictured above: The Siyangena informal settlement.
Image source: Buziwe Nocuze
