By Buziwe Nocuze
- The Lusikisiki pensioner gets R2,315 a month and supports seven family members, three of whom are waiting for R370 grants.
- She grows amadumbe in her own garden in Lusikisiki and sells more than 10 cooked bunches a day for R15.
A pensioner in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, sells cooked amadumbe from her garden for R15 a bunch to bring in extra money. She receives R2,315 a month from her pension grant.
“I thought getting a pension made things easy but that’s not the case. The pension money doesn’t cover all the expenses even if you are buying the basics only,” she said.
She looks after seven family members. Her expenses include groceries, electricity, transport to town and an insurance policy that covers the whole family.
“I don’t want to go around asking for donations should anything happen to one of my family members,” she said.
Three of the people she supports have been applying for their R370 grants for months. The applications keep showing as pending.
“They don’t have anyone to assist them with toiletries but me,” she said.
The amadumbe comes from her own garden, so she pays nothing for stock. She sells more than 10 bunches a day. Customers who bring R50 get a big bowl.
“My children know that we need to plant amadumbe so that we can have money to buy groceries,” she said.
“On a good day I make R150 but on bad days it gets worse. Sometimes I am forced to sell for R10 because I don’t want to take them home for my kids to eat,” she said.
When she cannot sell all her stock even after cutting the price, she gives vendors credit.
“I know they will pay when they have money,” she said.
Pictured above: Amadumbe.
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