Each morning at 7am Thandi Tutu opens the tiny tuck shop next to the house of Epainette Mbeki, mother of former president Thabo Mbeki, who owns it. Only a billboard outside, showing TV soap star Connie Ferguson in a Surf advert, alerts one to the fact this is a place of business.
Behind the counter, securely cordoned by gaatjiesdraad, Thandi waits for customers. The stock is basic – bread, milk, canned goods and soap powder. A few paraffin lamps are tucked away on the top shelf. There is also a rack of shweshwe skirts, handmade by Epainette Mbeki herself, but the dog-eared price tags show they have hung there for some time. There is no cash register and the money lies on the fenced counter, making it easy for Tutu to sort out change.
The only sweets in the shop are Wilson’s toffees, there is not a chocolate bar in sight. The fridge holds only 1litre bottles of Coca Cola, Fanta and Sprite, because cans are too expensive and would not sell. Tutu’s husband, Jacob, works for Eskom – 200kms away in Queenstown. He comes home on weekends, but during the week Thandi is left to look after their three children, Sibusiso (14), Sibulele (10) and Siphokazi (8).
Thandi Tutu, 29, Shopkeeper, Sofuthe, Eastern CapeVote quote: “I vote ANC because maybe one day they will give to me.”(Photo: Paul Botes)
At lunchtime the few workmen in the area and schoolchildren come to buy polony sandwiches that she makes with five slices of bread. Each sandwich cost R2.
When Tutu has no customers, she perches herself on a high chair and watches soap operas on television or chats to her friends who come in to say hello.
Thandi Tutu:
“My life has changed since 1994 because that is when we got freedom. Now my children, they don’t have to pay for school fees. I won’t be able to send them to school if I have to pay for it myself. So that helps me.
I found a job here in this shop in 1998. I was looking for a job and I came to MaMbeki to tell her all the problems I have. I didn’t know MaMbeki before, but people of Mbeuleni, where I come from, told me that she is a very kindly lady.
So I asked her if she can give me a job and she said I can work here. I first worked in the house, cleaning, but then she said I must come to the shop.
I sell the things here and I like it so much. I have no problems when I’m here and I am happy to be here. During the day I sell things and at the end of the day I count how much money it is and I write it in a book. There is another shop up the road but people like this shop because it is so cheap. MaMbeki sets the prices and when they go up, she only puts it up a little bit, like 2%. She knows the people here can’t afford.
I have about 60 customers every day, they mostly buy sugar and bread and long life milk, because they really like their tea.
I live in my own house that MaMbeki gave me. I work here 7 days a week and get R1500 per month. It is enough money for me, because I eat MaMbeki’s food and she gives me soap powder for free.
I will go and vote on 22 April because it is important because all the things we need, the government gives us. They have not given us much yet, but they give to other people and I think, maybe it will be me one day. I will vote for the ANC, this is the home of the ANC. When my children grow up, they will go to university and I want government to help me pay the fees, I want my children to be doctors so they can help me and my family. If I’m sick, they will look after me. Children are a gift from God, but they are expensive.