The previous blog is at: Journey to South Africa - Part 3 – From the Namib Desert to the Cape and the Long Struggle North
While we were stuck in Swartruggens waiting for our car to be fixed, we had the chance to sit down with our host, the garage we were at was the home of someone. What started as a casual chat turned into a deep dive into the reality of life in South Africa, the struggles of the job market, the nitty-gritty of survival economics, and the complex political landscape that shapes it all.
Here is a transcript of that conversation, rewritten to share the stories and insights he shared with us.
The Struggle for Skills and Employment
Our host shared his personal journey. It was a story of resilience in a tough economy.
"I know the value of hard work," he told us. "Before this, I worked at my mother's farm for a year. I’ve done welding, I’ve been a cashier in a hardware store. I know how to work with my hands and I know how to handle finances. That experience, plus my Senior Certificate, is what got me my current job."
He explained that while many others applied for the same position with just a certificate, he stood out because he had actual work experience. But getting the job is only half the battle.
"I’ve been with this company for three years now," he said. "I’ve tried to get a promotion twice, and I got shot down both times. It’s extremely difficult to upgrade here. You learn to just be happy to have a job, because people out there are suffering."
He pointed out the stark reality of the unemployment rate in the country. "About 33% of people don't have jobs officially, but if you count those who've given up looking, it's closer to 42%. And it’s not just any people. It’s the educated ones who can’t find work. If you go to a hardware store or look for skilled labor, you’ll see that everyone doing the skilled work is over 35 or 40. There are no young builders or skilled laborers in their 20s."
The Cycle of Survival
The conversation shifted to the social impact of this unemployment. "The young people, they still have girlfriends, they have children. But they don't have the money to support them," he explained. "So, the alternative is the government. They’ll have seven kids and apply for child support grants."
The government provides a grant of 530 Rand per child. While that sounds helpful, the locals explained how it often plays out on the ground. "You’ve got seven kids, so that’s 1,750 Rand. The parents claim that money, but they use it for themselves, not for the children. The kids don't go to school, they have no clothes, no food. The parents are just happy they have money for themselves."
The "Mechanics" of Survival: Breaking Down the Budget
We asked what it actually takes to survive in this part of the world. He broke it down for us, Rand by Rand, explaining that a "decent" life is out of reach for many, they are just trying to exist.
"Let’s talk about barely surviving," he said. "You want a decent place to stay, an open plan house where your living room and kitchen are together, a separate bedroom, electricity, and water. You’re looking at about 2,500 Rand a month for rent just for a basic RDP-style house."
Then comes the food. "To eat decently, meaning you have meat, maybe chicken or fish once in a while you need about 1,000 Rand a week. That’s 4,000 Rand a month just for food."
The list went on. "Transport? From the township (location) to town is a 20 Rand round trip. If you travel daily, that’s another 600 to 1,500 Rand a month depending on how far you go. You want a beer? A case of beer is about 300 Rand. Add that up."
The Monthly Survival Budget:
- Rent: 2,500 Rand
- Food: 4,000 Rand
- Beer/Leisure: 2,500 Rand
- Transport: ~1,500 Rand
- Total: ~10,500 Rand
"And that’s just to survive," he emphasized. "That’s not making a living. After you pay those things, you have nothing left."
We compared this to our costs back home, noting that while our housing and transport might be cheaper, the struggle to make ends meet is universal.
The Tax Burden
The conversation turned to the government and where the money goes. The explanation of the South African tax system was eye-opening.
"In South Africa, the people who are working are paying for the people who aren't working," he said. "We have a 15% VAT (Value Added Tax). But it’s not just once. The farmer sells the cow to the abattoir and pays 15% tax. The abattoir sells to the butcher and adds another 15%. The butcher sells to the supermarket, and they add 15%. By the time you buy that meat, you're paying the 15% VAT on the final price - businesses get credits for VAT they've already paid on their purchases, so it's not stacked on top of each other."
He also explained PAYE (Pay As You Earn). "If you earn under 10,000 Rand, you don't pay income tax. But if you earn more, it starts at 18% and goes up. If I work overtime, they tax that overtime heavily sometimes 50% of it goes to the government. So, I’m working extra, but I’m taking home less. It discourages you from working harder."
We discussed how inflation drives up these costs, yet the wages don't always follow.
Politics: The Coalition and the Global Chessboard
As the sun set, the conversation moved to politics. With 42 political parties in the country, the landscape is crowded, but the real power lies with the big ones: the ANC (African National Congress) and the DA (Democratic Alliance).
Recently, the political climate shifted. "The ANC got about 40% of the vote, the DA got around 22%, and a new party called MK came in third with about 15%. They had to form a coalition government," he explained.
The ideological divide was described as a clash of civilizations. "The ANC is socialist, communist standards. Their best friends are China, Russia, and Iran. The DA is capitalist. Their friends are America and Europe. They are trying to run the country with two completely different playbooks."
There is a sentiment of frustration among the locals. "The ANC has been in power for 30 years. When they make mistakes, they blame the past, on Apartheid. But they have had 30 years to fix it. Instead, they sell our mineral rights to China and Russia. We have the gold, the minerals, but we mine it, give it to them, and then buy it back at a higher price. We are the cat running around where elephants are fighting getting involved in global conflicts that have nothing to do with us, while the people here suffer."
The Hidden Geopolitics
One of the most shocking revelations was about international relations. he explained why there is tension between South Africa and the USA.
"It’s not just politics; it’s money," he said. "Do you know MTN? Our mobile network. They have a branch in Iran called Irancell. Under the table, money from South Africa is being transferred to Iran to support that regime. That’s why there is tension. We are funding sides that the West considers enemies."
It painted a picture of a country caught in the middle of a global tug-of-war, with the ordinary citizens feeling the pinch of sanctions and bad decisions.
As the evening wound down, the conversation shifted from heavy politics back to daily life. Someone arrived to pick up a friend, and we talked about the need for self-sustainability teaching skills to the youth so the country doesn't have to depend on the government or foreign powers.
It was a raw, honest look at life in the North West province. Beyond the scenery and the tourist spots, there are real people crunching numbers, worrying about taxes, and navigating a complex political landscape just to put food on the table.
The next blog is at: Journey to South Africa - Part 5 – Stuck in Gaborone