Alfred Moselakgomo
Alfred Moselakgomo
When schools close most children will spend their time playing.
But for the four Mashilo cousins it's time to make money for Christmas. The boys from Lefiso village, outside Marapyane, Mpumalanga, take their grandfather's donkeys and cart and carry 20litre containers filled with water. They then sell them to neighbouring villagers for R10 each.
When Sowetan met Thabo, 13, Tebogo, 12, Thuso, 10, and Obakeng, 11, Thuso, the youngest Mashilo cousin, was controlling the donkeys while his partners shouted "Metsi, metsi, metsi", Sepedi for water.
"We wake up at 5am every day and ready our donkeys before filling the buckets with water before we hit the road," said Thabo.
They travel about 10km to and from their destination each day.
"We earn enough money because we make two or three trips a day," said Thuso.
On a good day they earn about R500. They use some of the money to buy fodder, keep a little for themselves and give their parents the rest.
Boys turn water into a tidy profit
Alfred Moselakgomo
Alfred Moselakgomo
When schools close most children will spend their time playing.
But for the four Mashilo cousins it's time to make money for Christmas. The boys from Lefiso village, outside Marapyane, Mpumalanga, take their grandfather's donkeys and cart and carry 20litre containers filled with water. They then sell them to neighbouring villagers for R10 each.
When Sowetan met Thabo, 13, Tebogo, 12, Thuso, 10, and Obakeng, 11, Thuso, the youngest Mashilo cousin, was controlling the donkeys while his partners shouted "Metsi, metsi, metsi", Sepedi for water.
"We wake up at 5am every day and ready our donkeys before filling the buckets with water before we hit the road," said Thabo.
They travel about 10km to and from their destination each day.
"We earn enough money because we make two or three trips a day," said Thuso.
On a good day they earn about R500. They use some of the money to buy fodder, keep a little for themselves and give their parents the rest.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos