Job seeking varies depending on a person’s skills and qualifications. But for those without stable employment, waiting isn’t always an option. The men who gather on street corners each morning know this well – when a bakkie stops, they drop everything, rushing to claim a spot for the day’s work.
Martin Adams from Heidedal has been in search of employment for eight years. The 36-year-old said he doesn’t have the resources to market himself. “I sometimes feel hopeless because a person may not work for a few months or weeks. Sometimes, I don’t want to come here but then I have to eat,” he said.
PHOTO: GYPSEENIA LION
For the past five years, Tshepang Monei has taken a taxi from Batho Location to Navalsig, hoping to find work. He can earn roughly R200 a day if he is lucky enough. “It helps but it is not enough. I need a permanent job but I don’t have a CV and I have no one to assist,” he said.
Another artisan, Thabo Mathima was lucky enough to spot a pick-up van during the interview with Bloemfontein Courant. Before dashing off, he mentioned that he walks over 12 kilometres every day of the week to support his family but like the other men, he does not meet almost half the requirements or have the knowledge to apply for formal employment.
For these men, this daily struggle is their only hope of making a living.
According to the team at Workers Web in Bloemfontein, there is often a significant mismatch between jobseekers’ skills and the opportunities available, which is often referred to as a “skills gap”. The team explained that technological advancements and changing industry needs have contributed significantly to this.
It is also important to note that jobseekers, from the 50 to 70 age group, are still actively pursuing opportunities in Bloemfontein. However, while many are still actively seeking, there is an increased willingness among jobseekers to take any job just to earn an income, regardless of their qualifications.
Bloemfontein Courant reached out to the local Department of Labour for comment on how they plan on bridging the gap but is yet to receive a response.
Gypseenia Lion
