The “gogos” – a term for grandmothers in several local South African languages – are one of the pillars of South African society. While unemployment affects nearly 35% of the...

South Africa: the "gogos", those who boil the pot [2/5]

Audio 02:15

Lulama Mali, 71, an informal worker, sells jewelry and accessories on a street in downtown Johannesburg.

By: Claire Bargelès Follow

3 mins

The “gogos” – a term for grandmothers in several local South African languages – are one of the pillars of South African society.

While unemployment affects nearly 35% of the population and several generations often live under the same roof in the most disadvantaged areas, many of these grandmothers must contribute to the life of their household with their meager retirement, which makes sometimes a source of income for the whole family.

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This story is supported by a grant from

the International Women's Media Foundation

At the beginning of each month, Rachel, 89, is relieved to receive her retirement payment.

The amount is only a hundred euros, but this modest sum will help him support his whole family.

“

We are nine to live here,

she says,

and nobody has a job, so they depend on me.
I use this money for the whole family.
To send the little ones to school, for example, three of them go.
If I disappear, I don't know how they will do it.

With more than one in three South Africans unemployed, the pensions of "gogos" play a vital role in the survival of families.

So no little luxuries or unnecessary expenses for 73-year-old Kate.

She's been in line since 6 a.m. to receive her payment in cash outside this office in Soweto.

In December, in a store, I saw that they were selling oxtail,

" she says.

I wanted it so much, and it was just over 5 euros.
I put it in my cart, but then I put it back on the shelf, I couldn't afford it.
Because this retirement is the only income we have within the family.

To improve daily life a little, some continue to work.

Here is my place,

" says Lulama Mali.

These are caps, there hats... And these are traditional objects.

She started selling jewelry and accessories under the arcades of this downtown street more than 25 years ago, after losing her job in a factory.

At 71, she hasn't stopped yet.

Among my children, two are working and two are unemployed,

" says Lulama.

I helped them again, last week, to buy school uniforms, with the money I earn here.
Honestly, I would like to rest, but if I don't come, since my children don't work, their own children will suffer.

This redistribution of their resources is sometimes done to the detriment of their own needs, as explained by Chantal Munthree, demographer for the South African Institute of Statistics.

“

Many are forced to use this meager amount of money to meet the needs of their families, such as food, transport, clothing… The older ones make sacrifices, at the expense of their own health, their well-being , or their nutrition, in order to support their families.

According to the most recent figures, women over the age of 60 head almost 10% of households in the country.

Report Africa - South Africa: the "gogos", those who boil the pot [2/5]

South Africa: the "gogos", those who boil the pot [2/5]

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