Just making a living any way we can, okay?

This is the third in my series on Thokoza – a township south of Johannesburg, South Africa. As I drove and walked around the township last week I was amazed at how much business was informal – from beauty salons in shacks to a bar attached to someone’s home (with their children wandering in), to fruit and veg vendors in their makeshift tin shacks, to tailors, to … (I’ll just let the photos just tell the story).

So, he is braaiing (barbecuing) animal offcuts – mostly fat – which is sold for R5 (less than a dollar) per portion.

Portions of fat for the children

A fruit and veg stall on the western edge of town

And just down the road, a barber shop in this man’s front room

Transport for the local shebeen (an unlicensed drinking establishment)

And on the main road another fruit and veg stall

And what do you know, another barbershop: Original Tim Thomas Hair Salon and Barber Shop

Preparing the “good stuff” at Rib City on the main road: offal (the entrails and internal organs of an animal, including the skull …) I didn’t see any ribs there though.

And on this side it’s spicy kidneys, which one can order with rice or pap (a firm maize porridge)

This is the third tailor / cobbler I’ve seen on the side of the road in Thokoza. Now that I think of it, I’ve got a jacket I need repaired …

A Harris? I thought only Singer made sewing machines

Nicky Tuck Shop. With a perfect make-shift step for children.

Delivery guy …

Local “chemist” or muti-man at the Thokoza hostels. Interestingly enough, I was watching a news clip from 1994 about the violence in the townships, and this man was featured working in his little store …

So the plate alone is R20, and with meat it’s R25 ($3)?

Part 1 from my series: Shooting on foot (a.k.a. walking township streets)

Part 2 from my series: Children in Thokoza, a South African township

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