A sharp wind cuts around the corner of the St Francis Bay municipal clinic where women huddle together, waiting for medical assistance.
All are waiting outside as the clinic waiting room is off limits. Only if it is your turn, you get summonsed, sprayed with sanitiser by a long-suffering guard at the door, and then allowed inside.
During a relatively short wait owing to the effective work of the attending sister, I struck up a conversation with my neighbours, Ria Mjamela and Shirley Duma, both cleaners at a prominent grocery store in town. Both from Sea Vista.
Chatting away with a toddler or two in tow, the other women perk up when they hear there is someone who is willing to listen to their complaints.
“We are scared of this virus,” says Mjamela from behind her white mask. “But the people, they don’t listen. . .”
“Some people do listen, but others just complain about not being allowed to drink or smoke.”
She has no-nonsense advice, “Listen. Stay at home. Keep yourself busy and respect your neighbours. Just do your own church service in your house.”
Duma concurs: “The people must open their ears and listen or there’s going to be trouble.”
“It is a good thing that they may not buy alcohol or cigarettes. That just causes more trouble. It’s always the children that suffer.”
According to them, there are already kids who have little food.
Mjamela expresses herself strongly against informal shops that hike prices of basics. “A packet of potatoes has doubled in price!”
“We are concerned that the lockdown will be extended if the people don’t listen,” says Duma. “What will we do then? Even for us with jobs it is tough to survive as we still have debts to pay.” She also says she wishes there is more they can do to help those without an income, but do what they can.
Fortunately, there is a strong drive from various organisations who distribute food parcels.
Residents can apply for assistance from SASSA by phoning the national toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or Eastern Cape call centre at 043 707 6000 during office hours. Alternatively, send an email to grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za.
Applicants will be subjected to screening and need to provide the following information: name, surname, ID number, address, contact number and reason for request.
