From colleagues to sisters
REGINA Rajoo and Audrey Shangase met at their former place of employment and have been friends ever since.
Rajoo, 56, of Chatsworth, was already employed as a machinist at an undergarment factory when Shangase joined the company.
Shangase, 45, of Cato Ridge, had worked alongside Rajoo for 15 years until the business was liquidated earlier this year. While they may not see each other at work any longer, their friendship continues.
“When Audrey arrived, she was placed next to me. We introduced ourselves and started chatting and from there, our friendship bloomed. We cracked jokes and confided in each other about our
personal or family lives. If we needed advice, we turned to each other. Audrey has become my confidante," said Rajoo, a mother of two.
She said Shangase had come into her life after she had lost a close friend.
“She used to console me and has been at my side through good and bad times. Audrey is kind, loving and caring. At one stage, I got extremely sick at work. I had to be taken to hospital and she did not hesitate to accompany me.
“Through our journey of friendship, I have had the privilege of learning about African culture and its traditions. For instance, I have learnt the dos and don’ts of the culture.
“Their customary beliefs and traditions taught me that we are all one, no matter our race or religion. I also learnt the process of lobola.”
Shangase, a single mother of two, said: “Our bond has grown so strong that we even take each other’s children as our own. Whenever our children face issues, we both experience the same pain.
“Regina is strong and she always takes care of everybody. She has a bubbly personality and anyone who meets her could just click with her. She is straightforward and would tell me if I am going down the wrong path. She also motivates and inspires me.
“My family has accepted her as their eldest daughter and named her Thobile. When my brother-in-law came to pay lobola for my sister, Regina was also given a blanket as the eldest sister. A blanket is symbolic because it is often in high demand.
“Then, when my brother-in-law died, Regina stood by us. On the funeral day, she arrived at our home on the farm early in the morning and she took my sister to the mortuary because we did not have a car. She played the part of our big sister.
“I think our friendship has remained this strong because we have both overcome tough situations and despite the challenges, we always enjoy a good laugh.”
The women said while they spoke to each other every day, they only saw each other once a month because they lived far apart.
They meet at restaurants, go shopping together, and visit each other’s homes.