My name is Leroy De Koeker and I’m a gambling addict…. Yasis this sounds like a Hollywood movie. Moving along I suppose this is the part where I tell you how I ended up here. Long, long, long ago when eating snot was still a thing, okay,   maybe not that long ago but you get the story it was a moviese long time ago. You see I come from a generation where uncles asked you to shuffle a deck of cards, to blow a dice for good luck and where your cousin showed you how to play gatties for money.   Forcefully seated in a familiar canal that he played in as a child, Leroy reflects on the cards dealt to him in his fast-paced life. His eyes become plain. And with that, a streak comes to an end. 

Born in the heart of Cafda, Leroy was often exposed to the elements of the community, it was just a matter of time before he picked his poison and so he did,  eventually. Former friends stand guard by every corner branded with tjappies, fighting for a flag and turf they are willing to die for. Loan sharks own more possessions than people own underwear. Despite holding the community in a chokehold, these individuals remain beacons of hope, a way out and a not-so-friendly helping hand when times are tough. Leroy, unemployed, and in a toxic long-term relationship with Aviator, the hottest gambling game in the market. He finds himself using his 350 grant for a high that only lasts a few seconds, he watches his plane take off and fly away and with it all his money. As usual, he stood in the line at the Shoprite centre waiting for his “premium capital, ” which he swore would make him the next Elon Musk. Leroy exclaims, Bra the government is basically investing in my business, I mean it’s anyway not their money, my torpie told me to never let them exploit me and use them as much as possible. Leroy’s relationship with his father wasn’t sunshine and roses but he still looked up to him, taking his words to heart 

Unfortunately for Leroy, the government didn’t want to be used anymore and put an end to the grant. Upon receiving this devastating news, Leroy was forced to declare an informal bankruptcy even though he’s been bankrupt since he matriculated from high school. The days became weeks,  his hand was itching to leave his fate to chance, Aviator called his name like a lost lover, haunting his dreams and kissing his nightmares. One candlelit evening… courtesy of loadshedding, the itch became too much to bear, Leroy knew it was now or never he left his parents’ home and skarreled to the local bhai two avenues away from his house, the only shop known for allowing regulars to buy things on skuld. 

Leroy with familiarity enters the shop and makes his presence known. Salute salaam bhai, can I get a R500 betway voucher and a packet of spookies till month end you know I’ll sort you out with interest of course. To which  Ali the shop owner replied, oryt bruda but if you don’t pay you know I have connection with five-0 , they lock you one time.  Leroy laughs and dismisses the warning,  knowing that his dream of being a ‘self-made millionaire’  is dependent on this voucher, he convinces himself that this time he’ll win a big skoot. 

Determined to test the waters or well test the skies in this case, Leroy logs into his betway profile and sweet talks his long-term hun,  Aviator. In mere seconds his plane takes off. It looks promising. He wins a couple of rounds. Not satisfied with his winnings. Leroy decides to take a risk and bet all the money in his account. Once more it looks like another solid round until his plane suddenly flies away, his heart sunk at the sight of the plane taking flight with all his winnings. His mind and heart alike race, in an instant all his thoughts, hopes and dreams come to an explosive end. Not knowing what to do, he decides to cry himself to sleep. He refuses to hold himself accountable for his actions he blames, the system, the government, and everyone he could think of.