Once a busy sidewalk with informal traders has become a ghost town in Kwathema’s White City as immigrant shop owners threatened to give up their businesses. Photos: Kimberly Mutandiro.
Following protests by March and March in Springs in recent weeks, many immigrant informal traders have closed their stalls because they fear further attacks.
Many immigrants have fled the community and those who remain say they are trying to raise money to leave before 30 June.
This is not the first time the community has been upended by a wave of xenophobic attacks.
Vainet Spatini moved to South Africa from Mozambique in March to run a chips and bunny-chow shop from her brother’s home in Kwathema’s White City in Springs.
Every…
Read More: Immigrant traders abandon shops in Springs after threats.
Lack of transparency: Lack of transparency and accountability in government.
Shimmy Shammy
Hoezit /Howzit – How is it going? How are you? A common greeting which is often used instead of “hello” and “how are you?” It combines the two phrases into a simple, “Howzit”, thereby saving time.Example: “Howzit my bru!”
Eye Candy Kitten
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”