Thandi's home is in Qunu, about 30km from Mthatha. She lives in her mother's house. Her mother is frail, and cares for Thandi's 3-year old child while Thandi stays in Mandela Park Township in Mthatha during the week. She is desperate to earn more money, because she believes that when her mother dies, her brother will turn her and her child out of the house, and they will be homeless. Thandi's plan is to build an extra room onto the house, so that she will have somewhere to stay. So, I pay her more than the local rate for gardeners (which is about half the going rate of Cape Town), and she is incredibly grateful each time I pay her, taking her leave each week by saying, "Oh my God, thank you my boss, I love you my boss", followed by a hug.
In October last year, Thandi fell ill, and two of her other employers shared the medical costs of the tests. Thandi was diagnosed with TB, given tablets and sent home. Thandi continued coming to work, as she said she felt okay. She continued sweeping leaves and annihilating weeds, with her cellphone at her waist, tuned to uMhlobo Wenene.
The last time I saw her was on 17 December, where she was angry and frustrated at how tired she was feeling, but she promised she was taking her medication, and that she would take it easy over Christmas and New Year. She also said she was looking forward to coming back to work on 8 January.
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| This is the last communication I had with Thandi. She died on Thursday 15 January. Her funeral is tomorrow. |
I'm afraid that Thandi's child will become another statistic. Will she be brought up by her grandmother, or will she be placed in one of at least five children's homes or orphanages in and around Mthatha?**
I really love my country, but sometimes it hurts too much.
R.I.P. Thandi
*Women gardeners are a common sight in Mthatha
**Children's homes in Mthatha:
Bethany Place of Safety
Happy Homes Disabled Children Centre
Khanyisa Children's Home
SOS Children's Village
Thembelihle Home
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