Training Ground Saints
Nestled in the heart of Florida, Zhai Fortune and Wesley Bennett have turned their misfortune into hope as they have dedicated their efforts to the neighborhood training ground.
Nestled in the heart of Florida, Zhai Fortune and Wesley Bennett have turned their misfortune into hope as they have dedicated their efforts to the neighborhood training ground.
Zhai and Wesley, together with Calvin Naidoo and Andy Mokgabi, have come together to create a space where the community can use the Florida Training Grounds to advance themselves. The grounds, situated on the corner of Westlake Road and Goldman Street, near the Florida Police Station, are primarily used by local driving schools and is kept up by Zhai, who controls the gate, and Wesley, who maintains the area. Due to a high rate of unemployment in the city, Zhai and Wesley solely depend on the generosity of Calvin and Andy, who run their driving schools on the grounds.
Zhai said it has been difficult times for her and her family as they have been forced out of the hostels and are staying on the streets.
“This situation has affected us very badly, especially for my kids. My son gets sick a lot, especially when he comes to visit me over the weekend and school holidays. I have had to stop him from coming and he stays with his dad because it’s much safer. I honestly don’t know when I’m going to get a RDP house, I’ve been a part of the community for eight years and we were told that we aren’t allowed to register because we don’t have a number and we didn’t believe it but what can we do because we’re being told this by community leaders.”
The struggle to receive permanent housing has been a torturous adventure for the two.
“We always help people out even though we do not have much ourselves, but one of the people we were sharing the room with, stole some of our things and our other stuff was thrown out the back door. We reported the matter but nothing was done. So we moved to this area and we’ve been staying in a broken-down house, but even there, our things get stolen every day. I worry about the elderly people that are left at the informal settlement because it’s just not a healthy environment.”
Zhai said she is thankful for Calvin and Andy and their endless generosity towards her and Wesley.
“We came here and we were scratching through bins to get by. Everyday Calvin and Andy would come and give us R10 or R20 so I can buy bread for my kids. Sometimes, they would save their cans for us. From then, I knew in my heart that these are good people because they don’t treat us badly and they are always helping. We are not the first people they’ve helped and those people are doing well for themselves. They called me to come in for a job on Monday, but I couldn’t make it and I was scared that I lost out on a job. I still went on Tuesday and luckily I got the job.”
“To be honest with you, the most rewarding thing about being here is all of these guys. Every driving school that enters here and their clients treat us well and the way they treat us is not based on how we look. Some people even donated clothes for me and my children. What you see me wearing is what was given me. I am just so thankful and God is great. It’s just about having faith and hanging on to it,” she added.
Wesley said they are holding on even when the circumstances are against them.
“Some people treat us very differently and say nasty stuff about us. They say we are alcoholics and drug addicts when we are not. People have used us, promising us work and payment but once we’ve worked for them, they refuse to pay us. They would rather give us stale or rotten food and say that’s our payment, but we still say thank you because we are grateful for whatever comes our way. Right now our prayers are being answered because the little money we are making is going a long way. “
Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Calvin on 082 633 4845.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
