SURVIVING ON BUTTERED BREAD AND TEA, AND A FEW ODDS AND ENDS
EATING buttered bread with tea has become a staple diet for the Chellan family of Phoenix. The home’s matriarch, Louise, said her husband died last year and other than her disability grant, only her son, Dayalan, contributed to the household expenses. “It is difficult. We live day by day. We have been without electricity since July because we cannot afford the R13 000 bill. Most days we survive eating buttered bread with tea,” said Louise, 57. She said she suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, hypertension and severe arthritis and visited the local clinic and provincial hospital at least six times a month. “I have to budget for the taxi fare and the rest of the money goes towards our household expenses.” Their grocery cupboard comprised a quarter packet of mealie meal, half a bottle of oil, a small bottle of fine salt, four tablespoons of chilli powder and a tube of Colgate. To ensure they don’t go to bed hungry, she grows vegetables, including broad beans, calabash, herbs, thyme and onions. “At least that helps us on the days when we have absolutely nothing. And when we have a lot, I give some of the vegetables to my neighbours, who are also struggling.” Dayalan, who works in the textile printing industry and is married with two children, is considering selling his van. “It works but we cannot afford fuel. At the month end, I pay off my debt, which is either from those I borrowed money from or from the local tuck shop. I also need over R300 for the gas stove before we buy food. Fortunately, my in-laws send goodies for my kids. A luxury for
us would be takeaway food. We only eat chicken or mutton on the occasional Saturday.”
Regardless of their financial woes, he said, he believed they were better off than other families.
“There are others who are worse off. The cost of living is just too high and it’s evident by the number of people who beg on the streets.”