By Anita Dangazele
- After being diagnosed with drug-resistant TB, she lost her job and could not survive on a disability grant.
- She now lives back home in the township and works as an e-hailing driver to get by.
Amanda, whose name has been changed, used to work as an administrative assistant at a car manufacturing plant.
She earned a stable income and lived comfortably.
That changed when she was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
At the time, Amanda was still working on a contract. She went on sick leave and was admitted to hospital.
While she was still receiving treatment, her contract ended and was not renewed.
“When I came out of hospital, I realised I was unemployed,” she said.
She tried to survive using her savings.
“I used my savings to keep paying for my car,” she said. “But the money didn’t last.”
Although she received a disability grant while on treatment, she said it was not enough to cover her expenses.
“It could not support the life I was living,” she said. With no income, Amanda made a difficult decision.
She moved back to her family home in the township and now lives in a shack behind the main house.
“I had to rent out my apartment just to keep paying for my car and buy groceries,” she said.
She said the change was humiliating. “I was ashamed when my former colleagues came to visit me after I got home from the hospital,” she said.
Her daily life has changed completely.
“I used to spend about R2,500 on toiletries,” she said. “Now I’m lucky if I can afford cheap basics.”
Amanda has since completed her TB treatment. Earlier this month, she started working as an e-hailing driver.
“I’m doing this while I look for a job,” she said. “Life is hard, but you do what you must to survive.”
Pictured above: The woman next to her car.
Image source: Supplied
