Download PDFThe interviews were not easy to get, and I struggled to find people to agree. In one shop that we entered the people who were there mentioned that the boss is not around, and that they are not allowed to talk to anyone.
We then moved to Eric who is a shoemaker and lives in Wood Street. I interviewed him about his business, and he mentioned that he started the work with passion, but as the time has gone, he does it because there is no other work. Eric’s story was touching as he explained that he is a shoemaker to buy food. “Otherwise, there is no profit”, he said.
Eric also mentioned that there is no support they get from government although they pay VAT (value added tax). He struggles even to get the material used to make shoes and has to go far and buy it in Gqeberha (more than 120kms away).
I found that people don’t want to be interviewed because of empty promises made by our leaders and because there’s no government assistance.
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