Gardens rented out in Soweto

“THE money is already in my pocket – ching ching,” said Oupa Mboyane, patting his trouser leg.

“They have

Mboyane lives directly across the road from Mandela House, in Vilakazi Street, Soweto, where former president Nelson Mandela and his family lived from 1946 into the 1990s.

He is one of several residents in the area who have rented their gardens to international film crews and photographers covering news of Madiba and his precarious health.

“We have all received R15 000 to rent them space.”

Mboyane’s garden has been rented by ITN’s Channel 4 News, which now have a good view of any activity at Mandela House.

Mboyane said: “They started building a structure as soon as the news broke that the old man was in hospital.

“Nobody knows what is going to happen to Madiba but you have to be prepared for any emergency,” Mboyane said.

Keeping an eye on workmen building a thatched roof on the temporary steel structure, Mboyane added: “Everybody knows that Madiba is critical. We don’t have to beat about the bush any more.

“He is an old man. He has done his duties. He has done a lot.

“Now all he needs to do is rest. Today we have freedom because of Mandela.” — Louise McAuliffe

paid

me

already.”