Michael

Michael was from Ngundu area close to Bietbridge border. He found it hard getting a job without qualifications so he travelled to Limpopo to pursue a job. He stayed in Limpopo for a year doing brick making at Adams Sands.

“This work is hard.” he complained loudly.

“What do you think of doing?” Given, a co-worker asked.

“I want to travel to Joburg.” he answered.

“Where will you stay?” Given asked, concerned.

Michael didn’t know anyone in Joburg, but he trusted that all would be well. He ignored Given when he advised that it maybe wasn’t a good idea to just up and leave.

Michael was a short man, patient and was very determined with what he wanted. He could feel that all would be well when he reached Joburg. He was positive about his journey, believing that Joburg was the ‘City of Gold’, that it had loads of opportunities. He believed he would be lucky like others who travelled from home to get jobs in Joburg. They called it the ‘City of Gold’ while others said it was the city of sins.

He couldn’t sleep thinking about his future, so he woke early and left. A taxi took him to Joburg and he was dropped at a rank close to the railway station. He saw a group of men holding big posters which read ‘Plumber, welder, gardener and form of domestic jobs’. He decided to join the two men who were standing by the pavement with posters and one stood by himself. He joined the one who was alone.

“Hey,” he said.

“Are you looking for a job?” a tall, thin man asked.

“Yes, I come from Zimbabwe.” he answered.

“You are not alone. I am from Masvingo.” he said, shaking his hand.

“Oh, grace to God. Thought I was alone.” he smiled.

He felt relieved when he met Daniel who introduced himself.

Daniel was good at socialising and was friendly. Daniel stayed in a shack in Thembisa. A car stopped and Daniel rushed to it. He negotiated with the driver and they both agreed. He got inside the car and before the car drove off he asked for permission to work with his new friend, Michael. Daniel called Michael to join, he came running. The car drove off to the white, polite man’s house. He smiled all the time, one could see he wasn’t selfish and proud like other whites. He showed where to work doing the gardening and gave them equipment to use.

“I hope you can work, our style.” Daniel chuckled.

“Yes, I can do brick making too.” Michael answered.

They split the money in half after working. They bought a meal for supper and Daniel took him to his shack to eat and sleep. Daniel was happy to have someone from home with him. He had many Zulu friends.

“How long have you been here?” Michael asked.

“Two years.” He said, chewing on a piece of meat.

“Serious?”

“You will see how we live here.” Daniel smilde cunningly.

Before they could get tucked in bed, a man who wore a black leather jacket entered with a loud crash. He was big with muscles and scars on his face. He had a tattoo on his left hand. Michael looked at the ground and stared at him chewing a toothpick.

“I hope you have the cash.” he hissed.

Daniel lifted the mattress from the base, took out an envelope and handed it to the big man. He looked petrified. Michael just looked surprised. Daniel made a signal with his finger saying it was OK.

“Let’s see.” the man said, counting the cash. Michael was scared. All he had heard about Joburg was true. He heard that it was not easy staying there without being pressured by its environment. He suspected something funny going on with Daniel and this man. He would ask after the big man left.

***

Tell us: What do you think this man’s business is with Daniel?