For me as a writer of narrative non-fiction no work is beneath or above me.
Because of my literary inclinations I find any kind of work I find myself doing at any given time full of great lessons and experiences which I can later on use in my writings. I had since discovered that work, any kind of work gives my writing some sort of shape, form and life of its own.
I'm always at my happiest whenever I am reflecting on my real life experiences and that of other people around me.
Even though the outbreak of the vicious Corona virus is a global crisis affecting all of humanity negatively, I as a hopeful and observant person that I am feels that it is my responsibility to document the sentiments of those living and working around me.
From when it all started most of my colleagues and I spent six days a week at work in Four Way KwikSpar trying our best to make an honest living for ourselves. A majority of us had heard about Covid19 on the radio and television but since it was still in the Asian and European countries most of us felt that it was too far from us to have a direct impact on anyone of us. Little did my colleagues and I know that the world is interconnected and that whatever happens in other countries have direct impact on our own. This we had to learn the hard way. As people anywhere in South Africa talked about Corona virus as something far away from them and while others even made jokes about it on social media and in real life the first few cases of it were reported in the country.
When the government announced that there are fellow South Africans living in China where the virus was at its thickest at the time that had to be repatriated back to the country people began to feel frantic and worried. In the midst of all the confusion, fake news and unfounded opinions about Covid19 took form.
The South African government felt the need to clear the air for the public and provide it with relevant and reliable information. Like any other country affected by the Covid19 outbreak South Africa suffered a devastating effect to its economy due to the national lockdown that was put in place to curb the spread of the virus. Businesses closed their doors and people lost their jobs. Worried, fearful and clean many South Africans stayed in doors their jobs many of them were put to a sudden temporary stop and others were lost unfortunately for good along with their lives.
All had not been lost it seemed because for many South African parents the national lockdown meant spending time with their children and getting to know them better on a different level. It gave some people time to reflect and think about their lives and where they see themselves in the future. It gave artists like myself some time to work on their various projects in solitude. However, I myself have been very busy at work trying my best to serve the community by ensuring there is enough food for it to buy in this global pandemic causing everybody to stay indoors and avoid crowds at all costs.
Before it all I was just a stubborn broke writer trying to earn a constant salary while I do what am really passionate about which is to write. I knew that keeping a regular job meant having limited time to write as I'd spend all of it at work. However, this was a sacrifice I was will willing to make as I was of the belief that I could write later on after hours.
Little did I know that I would soon change from a supermarket worker to an 'essential service worker in a space of about two and a half months. After that radical change of my job tittle I felt almost like a soldier in battle except the enemy my colleagues and I are fighting is an invisible one, that of the Covid19 pandemic. Our weapon of choice is food and other essential things we have to ensure are available for the public during these testing times.
