By Buziwe Nocuze
- Lethu Mjama, who had never worked before, now earns money to support his grandmother and buy food, electricity and other basic needs at home.
- The small poultry business where he works employs eleven people, including six who had never worked before, showing how local jobs can change lives.
ethu Mjama, 27, from Port St John’s in the Eastern Cape, says getting his first job has brought hope to his family.
Mjama works at Sajonisi Chickens, where he helps with broiler production. His daily tasks include feeding chickens, cleaning, checking temperatures and making sure they have water. He also helps with vaccinating them.
He started the job in 2024. Before that, he had never worked.
Mjama says the job means everything to him because he can now support his grandmother, who raised him using her pension grant.
“I have never worked before so getting this job meant a lot to me because for the first time I am able to assist my grandmother,” he said.
He now buys groceries worth about R2,000 and sends money home. He also pays for electricity and a funeral policy.
“Being able to pay funeral policy, buying electricity and buying myself clothes is a nice feeling after struggling for too long,” he said.
Mjama says working comes with pressure because many needs come at once. He has learnt to manage this by saving small amounts and being honest about what he can afford.
“To navigate this I have started saving small amount and have set realistic expectations with my grandmother,” he said.
He says his biggest wish is for his grandmother to enjoy her pension without stress.
At Sajonisi Chickens, founder Siyabonga Sacoyi says the business employs eleven people. Six of them, including Mjama, had never worked before.
Sacoyi says better roads and support for small businesses could help create more jobs.
“If small businesses can be supported by government a lot of jobs can be created,” he said.
Pictured above: Lethu Mjama working at Sajonisi Chickens
Image source: Lethu Mjama
