Christmas in Mzansi
We're not so different after all
Johannesburg
Name: Tony Mugwagwa Occupation: Waiter What I wish for myself: To get a better job that does not require me to work New Year’s
Eve.
What I wish for my loved ones: A blessed year. A year full of joy and happiness. Love. What I wish for South Africa: I really want for Africa to unite — no racism and hate crimes.
Name: Jacob Agyeman
Occupation: Handbag salesman
What I wish for myself: More money! Tourists must come to Joburg.
What I wish for my loved ones: That my two kids do well in school and learn from me so they can do my work part-time.
What I wish for South Africa: There are not many options, but we need good leaders now so the economy can do well.
Name: Nathan Chakuchichi
Occupation: Musician, busker
What I wish for myself: I need a better living.
What I wish for my family: School for the kids. Sustainable work. Normal days that go smoothly. What I wish for South Africa: Stability.
Name: Aphiwe Malgas
Occupation: Student
What I wish for myself: Good marks and get my driver’s licence.
What I wish for my loved ones: I am glad that next year my mom will finish paying the mortgage on our house. She’s a single mom with two kids.
What I wish for South Africa: Students are still marching about fees must fall, so hopefully something will be done. Also, I hope we can stop medical professions being underpaid.
Name: Neo Matlala
Occupation: Shop assistant
What I wish for myself: To go back to school. I was studying business admin but had to stop because my father passed away early this year. I’ve saved up and hopefully I will get a loan or bursary. What I wish for my loved ones: It’s just my baby sister and my mom. I wish them happiness and health and to get through next year more easily than this year. What I wish for South Africa: Equal rights for people. For corruption to stop.
Name: Rehaldo George
Occupation: Makeup artist
My wish for myself: I want to be the first person to have a degree in my family. I want to go back to school to study psychology.
My wish for my family: I’d love to build my mother her dream house. The main thing she’d want is a gorgeous designer kitchen.
My wish for South Africa: A president who actually cares for the people and puts us first. I’d like to see services improve. They’re horrible. Also, our police force needs to do more to keep us safe.
Name: Kefiloe Mpeshe
Occupation: Receptionist
What I wish for myself: I want to be on another level, that is all.
My wish for my family: My sister is not working, so next year I want to work hard so she can go back to school. My brother is doing matric, so I hope he will further his education at university. My wish for South Africa: More jobs and a focus on uplifting young people.
Durban
Name: Benny Dube Occupation: Shoe shiner and repairman What I wish for myself: To achieve my business goal to get 20 people. This year was very difficult. My wish for my family: I want to get them through school, to have a house, right now we are renting. I want my wife to open a small spaza shop, because she’s not working.
My wish for South Africa: I wish people could stop crying for things they need.
Name: Nomsa Mkhwanazi
Occupation: Hairstylist
What I wish for myself: To buy my first car.
My wish for my family: I want to get a tombstone for my mom. She passed away in 2006. My girls are six and nine months old. I want their lives to change, especially if I have transport next year. My wish for South Africa: People should help each other. If you see someone suffering,
don’t ignore them.
Name: Mhle Nxele
Occupation: Newlywed gardener
What I wish for myself: That Jesus could give me a baby.
What I wish for my loved ones: To be a happy couple for the rest of our lives and to be a good example to the youth. What I wish for South Africa: That crime and corruption will just go away.
Name: Thabani Khuzwayo
Occupation: Paramedic
What I wish for myself: To get married. Lobola has been paid.
What I wish for my loved ones: That their lives become better.
What I wish for South Africa: That God helps us get a good government and a good president.
Name: Sarah Thomson Occupation: Teacher What I wish for myself: A fantastic teaching year with my pupils challenging me to be a
better teacher. What I wish for my loved ones: Even though we will be far from each other, that we’ll keep in touch. What I wish for South Africa: We become a country that inspires others to be just like us.
Name: Phumelele Mnyende
Occupation: Durban metro cop
What I wish for myself: I’d like to go to Dubai and Cape Town.
What I wish for my loved ones: A better life.
What I wish for South Africa: That the leadership stops fighting over petty things.
Name: Mcosi Zuma
Occupation: Taxi driver
What I wish for myself: Another job.
What I wish for my loved ones: Just good things, especially my two children, a boy and a girl who are both 10 years old. What I wish for South Africa: Jobs.