Families descend into desperation when the head of the household begins to doubt his or her ability to support the family. In the lives of disenfranchised people living under the rod of suffering in our Township and Cape Flats communities in Cape Town, there seems to be an endless cycle of fear about not being able to provide for your family and meet the basic needs of your children. I was confronted with the reality of the overwhelming force of desperation among workers who must deal with these difficulties on a daily basis on Thursday, February 29, outside BUCO – Fish Hoek.
Fish Hoek is a predominantly white community in the far south of Cape Town. It boasts some of the most stunning beaches and mountains the city has to offer, as well as ample space for people to live comfortably. The majority of its residents are fairly secure in their lives. The majority of the upper class white residents own millions of rands’ worth of homes, which are surrounded by beautiful mountains and hiking trails, shops, municipal buildings, mini-malls, and first-class retirement communities. However, if you look closely at these neighborhood establishments – those in charge of handling cash registers, serving and waiting tables, and cleaning Fish Hoek streets – you will notice that the great majority of the employees are marginalised Black and so-called Colored people.
I see some residents of Masiphumulele and Ocean View taking to the streets today and peacefully protesting. Two neighborhoods cut off from the affluent neighboring side. Two communities have been suffering for years due to apartheid’s aftereffects and apartheid spatial planning, especially in a valley where racism, alienation, and inequality are still pervasive. The Far South is unquestionably a prime illustration of the dominant forces of white privilege and power, and how these two factors are crucial in maintaining the growth restrictions placed on the disenfranchised population in this Valley. Undoubtedly, I have come to learn that this instrument serves to keep some cultures in this valley enslaved without them ever realising their own worth.
Observing the two groups gathered outside the parking lot next to BUCO in Fish Hoek makes me think of the long road ahead of us in challenging the Power and Color situation in the Far South Peninsula. Even after working for racial equity in this valley for many years, I continue to see the severe racial issues that plague our society. One could argue that the white communities in the valley maintain a significant advantage over the so-called black and coloured populations in terms of social and economic status. I am reminded that white monopoly still controls privilege and financial security as I watch these two groups struggle together on this very pavement, raising their voices for a better life. One of the leaders who organised the nonviolent demonstration is speaking with me, and he says, “We are gathered here today in front of the very business who seem to turn a blind eye to our requests. We have been asking and asking, but our requests seem to fall on deaf ears.” Today, over twenty workers from BUCO Fish Hoek and Kommetjie have gathered here. They have cut cardboard squares and are using them to write messages about their struggles. ‘Viva hard work, small pay, Crooks!’ reads one card. and I start to question why it is that disenfranchised individuals in South Africa are consistently subjected to unfair treatment at work. Because power and privilege are inextricably linked, in my opinion, disenfranchised people who mobolise and plead with a privilege society to cede its power or share in the spoils eventually see their efforts to combat inequality put on hold as employers employ various strategies to pit the underprivileged against each other. “Some of my colleagues are still working, doing three to four people’s jobs – the worst part is that these colleagues are loading hundreds of cement bags onto trucks in the BUCO yard,” a different employee tells me. A task that should have required two or three truck loaders is now only being completed by one person.
It is noteworthy that BUCO employee demands have been under consideration since 2023. The peaceful protest action was aimed at bringing to light the issue that old staff members are being replaced by new employees who are subjected to the minimum national wage. This information was provided in the media release of the BWAWUSA UNION, dated 24th February 2024. The document further states that there is an issue with the exploitation of general workers, drivers, and cashiers. The employees are forced to work seven days a week without any overtime pay.
According to the media release issued by BWAWUSA, the demands for employee compensation are as follows:
- An entry-level basic salary of R6000.00
- - A 13th cheque bonus at the end of the year for employees who have worked for more than 12 months
- - The increment of 15%, which was supposed to be in effect from 1st March 2023, has not been implemented.
- - An employer contribution towards the provident fund.
I am familiar with the majority of the employees who gathered at this protest, and I empathise with them as I know the challenges that many of them face in the community of Ocean View and Masiphumelele. I hope that a resolution can be reached, and that we can start addressing the system that keeps many people trapped in poverty in our country. It would be amazing if businesses in the valley could collaborate to launch an initiative that helps their employees from the previously disadvantaged communities learn valuable skills, such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, or information technology. This could be achieved through local skill academies that provide access for employees to advance in their careers and lives. I yearn for the day when white businesses in our valley show their employees that they care about their personal growth, and provide them with opportunities to become the best versions of themselves. Unfortunately, it seems that profit is often prioritised over people, but positive transformation is possible if we work together.
