Lockdown anguish for family
WITH just two pies and a pack of viennas in her fridge, Roberta Reddy feels anxious as she has no money to replenish her fridge and cupboards during the lockdown.
Last year, her husband, Justin Mangar, 30, a taxi driver, died after his ulcers burst.
He earned R3 000 a month and was the breadwinner for Reddy and their son, Zion, who is now three.
After Mangar’s death, Reddy moved in with her parents, Gerald, 47, and Yamun, 45.
They are renting a garage in Croftdene, Chatsworth, which is divided into a bedroom and a kitchen.
Their monthly rental is R1 500, and it excludes water and electricity.
Reddy, who has been unable to get a job, is supported by her father, who works as a taxi conductor.
But with the lockdown, there is no work for him, which means no pay.
“My dad earns R120 a day. His earnings alone go toward the rent, water and electricity. Whatever little is left, we use for food,” said Reddy.
“My dad has not worked since March 27. Every day is a challenge for us. As long as I can give my son a plate of food, my mind is at peace.”
Reddy said community activist Nelson Subramoney assisted them with a hamper.
“This lasted a week. Now, all we have left is a pack of viennas and two pies in our fridge. He is now trying to get us more help. Without the community assisting us, I don’t know what we would do.”
She said looking at her son brought tears to her eyes.
“I cry when situation. There is nothing we can do. This virus (Covid-19) may not be affecting us physically, but it is affecting us mentally and financially.”
Subramoney, the spokesperson for the Croftdene Civic Association, said he had an influx of calls from people wanting help.
“Families are scared. Those who earn weekly or daily wages are struggling. This virus is consuming every aspect of people’s lives. I have been putting food hampers together and distributing them to families since the start of the lockdown.”
He said as others found out about the hamper distribution, more people sought help. “As South Africans, we need to unite and help one another during this time. I am appealing to anyone who would like to assist to call me.”
Subramoney can be contacted at 071 839 1530.
ALICE Govender, of the Phoenix Civic Association (PCA), hands a hamper to a resident.
The Phoenix Civic Association (PCA) and the Woodview Ratepayers Association (WRA) have donated more than 400 hampers to residents in Phoenix and surrounding areas during the lockdown.
Theo Pillay, of WRA, said many residents were left without work and were unable to support their families.
“We partnered with the eThekwini Secure Outreach to distribute hot meals and a number of businesses in the community sponsored items for the hampers.
“What started out as reaching out to 50 families has reached to almost 400 hampers being packed and distributed.”
To assist, people can call Theo Pillay at 082 522 5383, Lenzo Pillay at 073 877 7496 or Alice Govender at 073 908 4744. |