I spotted a gap! [2006]
- Date : (2006-01-04)
- Author : SAIE
I’ve spotted a gap!
Fikilie had been unemployed for a long time. When we asked him why he was not working, he would usually reply that he had only passed standard 6 and had always worked as a labourer. “After I was involved in an accident which damaged my knee, I couldn’t dig with a spade anymore.” He explained. “So, who is going to give me a job? A labourer, who has only passed standard 6 and who can’t dig anymore?” Fikilie now walks with the assistance of a stick and until a few weeks ago, was convinced that his chances of ever earning any money were gone for good.
We teased him a bit and suggested that with his attitude and big strong voice he could easily become a storyteller telling visitors the history and stories of his background and childhood. Fikilie’s eyes were opened when he began to realise that being a labourer was not the only option open to him. We encouraged him to look around at what was happening to people in his area. What did they need? Was there anything that he could do for them. He considered stories, but then decided he was much more of an outdoors person.
Fikilie, noticed that many young people with good jobs were staying in his area. They had smart cars and were busy with upgrading the houses, but the gardens were in a mess. “Why don’t I offer to keep their gardens neat and tidy” he thought. “They would love to keep their small patch of garden neat, but see themselves as far too busy and important to do any gardening themselves!”
Fikilie had found an idea for a business. But was there enough business in the idea? Were there enough households prepared to pay him to manage their gardens for them. There was only one way to find out. Fikilie had to go and talk to them. He set off around the neighbourhood with his stick and his big strong storytelling voice and talked and asked and talked and asked. Could I cut your grass for you? How much would you pay me to keep your garden neat for a month? Would you pay R 40 for me to cut that patch of grass?
Fikilie came back with a smile on his face. People were interested, he had found a business that he could run himself, and he could even use the lawnmower to lean on instead of his stick!
