When Lockdown level five was announced, some industries were closed immediately, while others, as we all know was named essential services. Spar, as we know is an essential service. One of the many things that I noticed during this time, was that whenever I went to my local Spar, people would hardly greet each other, not even to mention look you in the eye. Of course, once again I don't want to generalize, so if you are reading this, and maybe you were one of the people smiling behind your mask with a 'hello' in passing, thank you. We are all still people and we all have different needs. This really had me thinking, in the midst of people buying groceries in bulk and stockpiling their cupboards, how was the employees feeling of a grocery shop like Spar? Greendale Spar gave me the opportunity to interview two of their employees. I had such a good conversation with Nontobeko Mkhize, as well as Desmal Mugasa, just finding out more about who they are. and what impact this time of Lockdown has had on them as two very unique and different individuals. We have all heard the saying in this time that we are all in the same boat, yet some of us have been going through bigger storms than others. Nontobeko Mkhize is a very well spoken, yet soft hearted person. She has ambition and many dreams. She lives in Mpophomeni and has a daughter in High School. She has been working for Greendale Spar for five years now. What has been your biggest challenge during lockdown? One of the biggest challenges for her, was that their normal working routines and hours had to be adjusted. Pesonaly, it has been a lot more costly having her daughter at home and not at school, to make sure that she has enough data to keep up to date with her school work. What has been your biggest fear in this time? 'My biggest fear has been contracting the Corona virus. In normal circumstances, we as staff would be happy if the shop is busy, and many customers are coming in, but in these times we realised we all need to be more cautious.' Is there anything that has been keeping you positive and full of hope? 'The fact that I still have employment has been keeping me positive, many out there are losing their jobs. I am placing my hope in that once this time can pass, we can bounce back to a more normal way of doing life.' What has been the most positive experience of lockdown for you? There has definitely been some positive things coming out of this time for Nontobeko. One of them has been managing her finances a bit better, and also learning how to budget. Lockdown has also allowed Nontobeko more time to think what else she wants to do with her future. She has a diploma in Human Resources and would love to potentially work in that field in the future. Another dream she has is to look at starting her own business. Desmal Mugasa is a born Zimbabwean. He came to South Africa to look for better opportunities. He is 29 years old and listening to him, I could hear this man will still achieve many goals he has set for himself in his life. He has ambition and a zeal for life. He really brings joy into a room. What has been your biggest challenge during the lockdown? It has been really difficult for him to feel 'locked-in'. Not being allowed to go out to your normal gatherings or visiting people has been tough. 'We all sometimes need to get out, and get our minds cleared.' What has been your biggest fear? Desmal's biggest fear has been contracting the virus, especially as he is a Zimbabwean. As he does not have immediate family in the area, it really concerns him that his family won't be able to help or assist him if he does contract the virus. What has been your most positive experience during lockdown? Desmal has been able to 'to put his mind down' and think what it is he wants to still achieve in his life. Spending just a few minutes with these two was really an encouragement to me. If there is one thing I have been able to pick up out of these interviews, it's that all of us, regardless of who we are, have been having moments of feeling overwhelmed. We all have been so use to a culture in our society where we can plan our lives, do what we enjoy and spend time with those we love.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the grocery shops in the Midlands area, and especially all the employees who have been keeping their heads above water and serving this community. You guys are awesome. Thank you Greendale Spar for allowing me to come in and spend some time in your shop and with your employees. We love our local Spar. Next time you go to your local Spar, maybe greet your cashier on his or her name and make their day. Nontobeko and Desmal, thank you for sharing with me to understand and get to know you guys better. I speak God's blessing over you guys and my all your dreams come true. The world is your oyster.
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For most of us, 2020 started of as a pretty normal and standard year. Setting either new years resolutions or envisioning how we will be doing life or things differently, to become more of a person we would like to be, or even in some ways change to become better or closer to dreams we have in our hearts. I for one, never envisioned 2020 to be a year of learning or adapting to new ways of doing life. Things we considered as a given, was taken away overnight, and we either had to learn to swim upstream quickly, or sink in an overwhelmingly fear and anxiety driven society. Yes, there has been in the midst of all going on, and managing emotions been such sweet moments of actually living a slower paced life, a life where families were forced to spend more time together, and also to reflect on what is really important in life. However, the side about this time that I have seen creeping in is one of isolation, selfishness and also one of not having regard for other people. I am not saying that this is true for everyone, there has been and still are people out there who care for others, who has been giving time and resources generously, where they would not normally been doing that if it was not for the massive need around us. I am referring to simple moments, of going to the shop and 'hiding' behind your mask. You can still wear a mask, social distance and say hello to the person passing you at the same time. Out of all this chaos, I have really sensed a need to create a platform where people in our Midlands, and later potentially in this country can be introduced. By introduction I mean the following. Do we actually know what the name of the lady ringing up our groceries at Spar is? Do we know if she is afraid or has certain specific needs? Maybe your answer is yes, but how many of us really do know? I have been setting up interviews with various people in our community just to ask a few questions and to give some businesses also a bit of exposure in these economically difficult times. Please note, that social distancing and regulations have been followed during these interviews, and I totally respect the regulations put in place. My aim in this is to help create a culture of honoring people, being interested in the needs and feelings of those around us and just to know who our neighbors are. That said, let me do my first introduction. Meet Janette Nicholson. I met Janette after I saw an advert that she placed on Howick Buzz during lockdown, where she had a special running on hanging lacey bowl planters. Janette has a business on the Birnamwood road, called Birdsong. She makes the most beautiful bird feeders, ceramics and pottery. I popped in to collect and I was so amazed that I didn't even know about her business and the beautiful things she makes, that this surely had to be my first interview. I asked Janette a few questions just to find out a bit more about her and the business. How and when was Birdsong established? Janette bought the business from a friend of hers starting with children's worskshops, ceramics and painting classes from as early as 1999, before they went to Johannesburg for a few years. Soon she realised that she needed to create her own range of products. Thus in 2009, Birdsong was established after they moved back to Howick from Johannesburg. What has been the biggest challenge during lockdown? Janette has actually been enjoying lockdown, and just having a slower paced life. Financially she has been forced not not spend, so in her 'little world' it has been good. 'Life in general has been more peaceful and calmer during lockdown.' What has been your biggest fear in this time? The biggest concern that she's been having, is to know if there is going to be a market for her products once life and business turns back to a more normal. Will her small business be able to make it? She is also really concerned about her staff, to be able to still provide for them during these times, to still be able to generate a good enough cash flow to keep them on board. She has however been able to still pay her staff during lockdown. What positive things did you experience during lockdown? 'Having the chance to reflect and remember what it is that one enjoys doing and not be on the run always. I have enjoyed being forced to think outside the box, have a different approach and find creative ways to sell my products.' What do you place your hope in? 'I place my hope in innovation.' Janette has loved seeing how innovative people have become in this time, and been able to keep a cash flow going. Do you have any advice you want to give to business owners? 'Keep exploring and sometimes you need to reinvent yourself. Approach things from a different angle. Explore more on digital marketing.' I would just like to take the opportunity to thank Janette for allowing me to take these pictures, do the interview and getting to know Birdsong more. Janette will be having an open day during the first weekend in August to the public, where her products will be displayed and available to purchase. All regulations will be followed during this open weekend. Do yourself a favor and pop in for some fresh air on this beautiful farm.
Herewith a link to her website and Facebook page: http://www.birdsongceramics.co.za/ https://web.facebook.com/birdsongkzn Janette, I just speak God's blessing over you, your family and your business during this time. May hope be more than ever, and you be rooted in His love. Blessings, Michelle |
about me
I'm a passionate photographer based in the KZN Midlands - enjoying life to the full and spending time with my awesome family and friends... photo credit: www.peartree.co.za
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