Written by Jenni of Baboon Matters

It has been a tough year for Baboon Management as restrictive budgets have led to various labour relation problems. But this appeal is not about baboons or budgets. This is about the baboon monitors.

I am watching this team struggle – extremely limited wages; the extreme cold and abundant rain this year, ever increasing food prices, as well as personal family crisis.

This week it was fires.

Last weekend one monitor lost his home and clothes to fire and today another 3 men lost ALL THEIR WORDLY POSSESSIONS when a fire raged through Masiphumelele.

When I arrived with food and some financial support for the affected men, the scene was chaotic – furniture everywhere as people had tried to save whatever they could. I was deeply saddened by what I saw –
imagine living it…

This is Vuyisile Mayedwa

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When we heard of the fire, Marlei dropped what she was doing and dashed through to Tokai to take Vuyisile home to Masiphumelele. He was a nervous wreck as he contemplated his cardboard shack, with wife Sylvia and their young family inside, and the huge fire approaching. Sylvia has recently given birth to extremely premature twins, the one has a heart condition and problem on his tiny leg – this involves heart surgery and trips to Groote Schuur and Red Cross – travelling costs alone are crippling this little family.
Vuyisile’s relief at finding his wife and children safe was palpable.

Mzwakhe Vanga was not so lucky. Last week in the middle of those incredible downpours he lost his home, and everything he owns, as a result of a neighbour’s electric fire.
This is the second time he has lost everything to fire.
Mzwakhe’s year has been tragic – his much loved oldest sister died as a result of a stroke. Mzwakhe assumed responsibility for his sister’s stepson, and this poor young man was involved in a terrible car accident in which both his legs were badly broken – this has involved many operations and much time in hospital for the youngster.
Mzwakhe’s young daughter lost all her clothes in the fire, she was in Masiphumelele on
school holiday and lost everything!
Yet Mzwakhe retains his easy going disposition, always a cheerful smile and hello – I am sure that many residents will recognise him as he has been with the project for 10 years now.

Aaron Dlokolo is a tall, quiet man who battles with a bad stutter. He has recently been promoted to supervisor and he is a diligent worker. When I found Aaron this afternoon, he was covered in ash and his hands full of mud – his wardrobe was too big to fit through the door of his shack, as the fire approached he frantically tried to pull the door apart and get his furniture out – but ended up losing everything.

Matshawandile Mjempu – has had a difficult past and late last year ended up in Pollsmoor Prison for four months – as a result of a mistake!! There was no charge against the young man but none of the authorities allowed him a phone call or lawyer…. He emerged from Pollsmoor looking like a ghost. Today he lost everything he owns –apart from the clothes he was wearing.

Steve Khumbulani Ndlebe – what a character! Full of nonsense as some young men are – but fast! Quick and efficient with the baboons – as well as quick with a comment! How sad to see him shaking and looking beaten by life today, his eyes fill of tears – no comments this time, just a quiet thanks for the food and cash I brought. I hope to see Khumbulani full of talk again soon…

If you are prepared to help, we urgently need the following:

* Money to purchase building materials
* Bedding – especially blankets
* Clothing – all ages from babies to men
* Kitchen utensils
* Any items that may no longer be of service to you

Cash can be deposited into the Baboon Matter Trust account – marked “monitors – fire”. The account details are:
Baboon Matters Trust
Standard Bank
Blue Route
Account No - 270040080
Branch code – 025609

I know I make many appeals – normally for the baboons, but today it is the monitors who need your support.
Please help where you can.

Thank you!
Jenni and the Baboon Matters Team