When I received this photograph my first reaction was: Wow! You are
looking so satisfied. And he is satisfied. Life treats him with kindness and
mercy. He tells me that every night he has a roof over his head; hot water in
the taps; food to eat and so the list can go on and on.
The other day we had a problem with our one specific toilet and I phoned
Bernard. Yes, he can come any time I am ready to receive him. And he came. He
had to travel from the other side of Johannesburg to my side in Sandton. That
means he had to battle the heavy traffic despite covid-19 protocols in place in
South Africa – although only on level 1, but nevertheless mid-city traffic is a
problem. We battle with the taxis being somewhat of a law unto themselves and
road rage and the normal other congestions of city traffic. Collisions.
Delivery trucks that overturned or lost its cargo.
When he arrived at my house he got out of his car and he smiled at me
and greeted me: “Good morning Uncle Neels, how are you?” Wow! This is a man just
emerging from a battlefield! And he smiles. “How is Aunty Annemarié? O I am
glad to hear she is also healthy and fine.” And so, the conversation goes on
and on – he did not mention a word about the plumbing problem. We were
discussing the recent rains and approaching winter. He told me that his one
daughter is now living and working in the Lowfeld [Nelspruit town]; he is so
happy that she does have a job to do. He longs for her; but she is working and
is in a position to fend for herself. Nelspruit is so far from home that she
couldn’t just jump in her car [or a taxi] and come home for the weekend. “Isn’t
that a blessing, Uncle Neels?”
He lives a life of gratitude.
After a rather protracted conversation he referred to the toilet. And he
took out his tools and started working. Quietly. Calmly. Contently. Satisfied.
He has a job to do.
“No thank you, I don’t want something to drink because it is a long way
back home.” He gave me his account; and he left still very grateful for having
had a job to do.
When I first met him, his hair was still pitch black. Now, it is turning
grey and his movements are not as swift as a youngster, but he did a sterling
job. We can breathe now!
