I browse through the Roodepoort Northsider every week, when published. In last week’s publication, the article Beggar blows second chance appeared on page 7 and a comment is made that the Northsider will try and track Jeffery for answers.
I just have to respond.
Towards the end of last year, I read the article concerning the well-known beggars on Hendrik Potgieter Road (Jeffery and Ivan) and how ‘Lerato Mkubukeli’ of High Voltage Power Systems had made arrangements to assist them with opportunities to fulfil their dreams. In the past, I have donated to ‘Jeffery’ on weekends on my way to Clearwater Mall, but stopped doing so as it became evident to me over time, that the same two beggars who operate on Hendrik Potgieter Road on weekends, are to be found in Bedfordview during the working week.
Every afternoon when I leave from work in Bedfordview at 3pm, these two individuals can be found begging outside Reddam House on the corner of Osborne Lane. I am not sure whether the second party, ‘Ivan’ is indeed working, as I am convinced that he too is back in Bedfordview during the week, selling pumice stones. If this is indeed ‘Ivan’, I have to say that he is a nuisance, to say the least.
It is sad that when given the opportunity to better themselves, all offers of assistance are passed by. However, perhaps the passing motorists are also to blame by donating to these individuals on a daily basis, which results in ‘easy money to be earned’.
