The coming of winter has brought brisk business for coal merchants in the South African township of Soweto as many residents rush to buy the commodity to keep themselves warm in the biting cold.
When winter sets in between May and August, Sowetans look for other means apart from electricity to keep their homes warm, as temperatures can drop to freezing point at night.
”The house is cold. My family has to be kept warm from the freezing weather. These people are our saviours,” 43-year-old Patrick Swelinikomo said, pointing to two coal merchants who had driven their horse-drawn wagon to Soweto’s White City neighbourhood for an early-morning sale.
”With as little as R45 a bag, you can heat your house for one week,” he said.
Swelinikomo, a building contractor, said there had been a cut in the public power supply for two hours in the sprawling township in south-western Johannesburg where up to four million people live.
”The lights went off at 6am. No one is sure if there has been a major fault. We have to make contingency plans,” he added.
Martha Lameny (52), a nurse says she uses coal because it is readily available and affordable.
”It is easy to get and cheaper than electricity. Apart from the fact that supply is not regular, the cost of electricity is very prohibitive. In fact, I spend just one-third of my electricity budget a month on coal,” she said.
Lameny said she keeps windows and doors open when burning coal to chase out the thick black smoke.
”Everywhere has to be opened to allow the smoke to go out. Otherwise, one stands the risk of suffocation,” she warned.
For the scores of coal merchants plying their trade in the township, it is good business.
”This is a job I have been doing since 1976. I don’t think I can do anything else. Besides, I make an average of R15 on a bag,” says David Mutileni, a 52-year-old father of six.
Mutileni said he has been able to pay for his children’s schooling with his earnings.
”I have trained all my children from the profits of this trade. And I believe my family is not complaining,” he added.
Teko Lefu (26), from neighbouring Lesotho, also says he is able to support his family with the sales.
”I started in this business because there was nothing else. But now, I am fulfilled. I can take care of my family. My two children are in school,” he said.
Lefu, who runs the trade in partnership with a friend, said they sell about 30 bags a day.
”Business is good during winter. We normally set out as early as 7.30am in the morning. We blow the whistle to draw attention.
”Our customers are always waiting for us. We sell up to 30 bags as against two or three during summer,” he said.
His partner, 20-year-old Mokete Phoka, also from Lesotho, says they get their supply from a coal depot in Soweto and that the business is regulated.
”We have an association which prescribes rules and regulations for the members. We have a uniform price at which we sell. No one can sell above the agreed price.”
Trader Tankiso Setima said although business is good, ”it is not easy driving around in the cold, looking for customers. I will leave this job if I get another one, preferably an office job,” he said.
”But for now, I will continue the trade to keep body and soul together,” he added. — Sapa-AFP