SMILE AND WAVE HONEYDEW RIDGE

Let’s meet the people behind the friendly faces that greet us daily as we pass the intersection of cnr Mozart & Paul Kruger in Honeydew Ridge.

For three and half years we pass these two men every morning and every afternoon on our way to the office and back home. Without fail you will receive a bright smile and a wave.

I decided to take a little time to get to know them, upon approaching them they were very confused when my colleague and I explained that we would like to buy them something to eat and drink at our local take -away and have a chat to them as we would like to use their “story” for a weekly writing on our website. I think for a moment they thought they did something wrong.  

Nkanyiso Thusi (26) and Sbongiseni Khanyile aged (35) partnered up 4 years ago and joined the Homeless- Talk Street Paper initiative because they could not find any employment and both responsible to send back money to their families, they knew they just had to do something, begging was not an option for them. A friend introduced them to the opportunity and they learned they could purchase the paper and sell it at a small profit.

I was initially shocked to hear that they sometimes only sell 2 papers a day after doing an 8 to 12-hour shift, they must have seen the shock on our faces when there smiles brightened up and they mentioned that many times people don’t ask for change and they make a little bit more money, which they referred to as a “donation”. To me the money they make per day was still difficult to grasp, they seemed proud and satisfied. It made me realize how some people are more fortunate than others.

They mentioned that our older residents in the area which they refer to as there “Goggos”  and “ Madalas” know them well and always support them. They said that their clients are friendly to them and trust them after all this time.

The Homeless – Talk Street Paper is just another brilliant way of creating employment even though the remuneration per day is very small, they are still able to somehow make a living. The contents of this paper also does not shy away from its actual purpose and that is to create awareness of the less fortunate and giving back to your community.

What makes Nkanyiso & Sbongiseni different? In my opinion as anything else in life their determination, consistency and the bright smiles every day, what we would call in business as Excellent Service makes them stand out. This is there business and they are proud.

Today I want to thank these two young men for brightening up my day with their smile and wave to gives us hope.   If ever you see them when passing by please support them by purchasing a paper that only costs R 7, and if you can’t for that day, that’s fine.... just smile and wave.