Respect those with lesser jobs than yourself

People are looked down on according to their jobs, writes Godfrey Malibe from Acornhoek.

The injury to the security guard who was attacked by soccer “thugs” at Moses Mabhida Stadium took me back to my schooling days in higher primary. The incident reminded me of those winter school days when we read a story titled Ek Is Ook Important which, translated is, “I, too, am important”.

This thought was provoked by the way the 32-year-old man was kicked as if he had stolen from a tuckshop and was attacked by the community through illegal mob justice.

It really shocked me and it kept me thinking for days.

Watching the repeat of that incident, I wondered how a man could be abused like that in front of cameras, nogal! It came to my mind that some people still look down upon others. That comes with thuggish and disrespectful minds.

We seem to look down upon and mostly misjudge people according to their jobs.

Car guards, cashiers in our supermarkets and other outlets, cleaners, petrol attendants, gardeners and security officers are just some of them.

When you hear how rude people are to these individuals, you feel ashamed.

This is especially so of people who classify themselves as being financially better off.

I’d advise people to respect one another.

That man who cleans your garden is also a human being and is a dad or uncle to someone.

They have feelings, emotions and they can think, too.

That lady you always swear at at the garage till is an employee, who works according to the laws of her employer.

She is not supposed to break the rules for you, just because you feel superior.

If you treat her like rubbish, do you think you are smart?

She is somebody’s wife like your own wife. How would you feel if that was to happen to your own wife, sister or daughter?

That cleaner at your children’s school is a mother, too.

Respect her and teach your kids to do likewise.

For her, her job is a treasure. Some may be doing those jobs we view as being low category not by choice, but circumstance.

We still need to respect them. They all play a role in society.