While driving behind a double cab bakkie this morning appreciating the drizzling rain, I observe how three farmworkers sit at the back using a small plastic to shield themselves from the rain..the bakkie stops at the store on the side of the road, I do the same and quickly run inside..the bakkie drivier is tall with huge & broad shoulders, dressed in khaki, his cellphone in his chest-pocket..I greet him and enquire if he won’t mind if I gave his workers a lift as it appears we are driving in the same direction..he pulls his face and warns me about safety..I attempt to smile and say, maybe you can drive behind us since you are armed..i look at the gun on his waist and a comb and a handkerchief sticking out of his pocket..he looks at my car through the store window and shouts at the men to get in my car..he pays for his refreshments and I do mine..I found the men standing next to my car, wet from the rain..we chat as he drives behind us..we talk about politics, their working and living conditions..Piet and Andries are sitting at the back seat sipping their cooldrink..Kagiso is more vocal, he shows me his scars sustained after he was bitten and gnawed by the farmer’s vicious dog sitting in his front seat..I look through the mirror and only now do I see the dog..Im angry..sad..just a mixture of emotions..they have not received their salaries for three months now even though they work 7days a week..as we reach their destination, I do what is right and educate them about the benefits of joining a union, I didn’t even realise the rain stopped. The farmer walks over to me and asks for my business card and he gives me his, I notice, damn..his surname is Visser..he gives me a huge plastic full of biltong as his dog looks on..I take it, and give it to Andries to share with the others..he asks why? I say, I do so because unlike the workers, I get my salary every month..he apologises to them and says they should ask his wife to pay them as he was not aware..he shows me a shorter route through the farm roads to my destination..what a day, someday things will be better, what the heck..someday may never come but on this day..I lived..show some love to others today and beyond my friend and bless your journey..I just called Kagiso..the only one with a cellphone..he thanks me..they received their salaries..thank u once more for reading..let me drive on..have a great day my friend..
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 09:07:22 +0000
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