"We can't salvage anything because it was lost in the fire," tailor at Isipingo Market

Carol Ofori and Vic Naidoo

Carlo Shaw has been the resident DJ and Entertainment Manager at the TSD Ultra Lounge in Springfield for the past five years. He has proved on many occasions that music is life. The first lockdown hit and everything was stopped just like that without warning but he persevered and along with two of his friends started a Facebook page called 'Lockdown Dj's Online'. This was their escape and they got lost in the music creating a virtual club that brought so many people together and helped them get through the night and calmed the worrying of where the next plate of food was coming from for those couple of hours. It gave them a sense of normality and put smiles on many people's faces. More than that, it made him smile through the uncertainty. 

Due to the riots and looting last week, the TSD Ultra Lounge was burnt down and this is a reality for many people now, but with Darren's Tip Jar, Carlo was nominated and awarded with R5,000, which can hopefully help him in some way. 

Having a Photography business during these tough times isn't ideal. Conway Photography is a husband and wife team and it's their sole support for their family. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, they have been unable to get any jobs. They have tried to be innovative in the way of trying to get income, which includes offering specials to clients. 

"They are really battling yet they are one of the leading photographers in KZN, which just goes to show how restricted they've had to be in their operations. They have remained as optimistic as they can and kept faith during these trying times but their desperation is increasing as the lockdowns seem to be unending. They are so talented and I know they would appreciate any form of relief. Thank you in advance for your consideration!" This was submitted by Tarryn Millar for Zandra Conway...

Darren, Keri and Sky

The previous week in KwaZulu-Natal was painful for business owners who saw their many years of hard work come crumbling down in less than an hour. Roy Boodhram, who owned a stall at the Isipingo Market, is one of those people. 

He was nominated for Darren's Tip Jar by his son, Justin, who was feeling terrible for his father as the market was burned down. His father repairs sewing machines and is a tailor, but is left without work and a place to work. The money he made at the market helped sustain his family and put food on the table. 

"We can't salvage anything because it was lost in the fire," Justin shares. 

Take a listen to how grateful Roy was for Darren's Tip Jar contribution and most of all, his son's thoughtfulness:

Ernest is also a recipient of some light from Darren's Tip Jar on this Monday morning. 

He is a sculptor who has worked with the well-known artist Andries Botha for over a decade. 

Unfortunately, their work has been severely impacted by not only the pandemic, but the recent riots in KwaZulu-Natal. 

They have battled to find substantial work since the beginning of the pandemic, but two projects recently came up that seemed to have turned the tide. Unfortunately, the one was a private commission and that person is no longer in a position to pay for the work. The second project was with the municipality and was meant to be a big one. This will obviously no longer be happening anytime in the near future.

In the meantime, Ernest has three children to support. Since the beginning of the pandemic, and the end of all sculptor-related work, he has tried to make security gates and bars for people that live in Mayville, around him, but no one is really in a financial position to pay the true value, so he has found himself having to work for very little profit simply to feed his partner and children.

The other issue is that his partner, who has been financially supporting herself, her children, and her parents, on a basic cashier salary, was employed at the Pinetown CheckSave up until last month, when she was transferred to the CheckSave in Mayville (to be closer to home). That CheckSave no longer stands - it has been ravaged and burnt and it is doubtful that she will have work any time soon. So their only steady stream of income has now completely gone.

Ernest has tried to create something for himself, we hope that Darren's Tip Jar also helps his family. 

Take a listen: 

We are happy to give hope to people who have been affected negatively by the pandemic and the recent riots in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Darren's Tip Jar and Lottoland.co.za are doing their little bit for a second week, hoping to alleviate the burden that families will now have to carry for a while. 

Nominate anyone you know who has been in an unfortunate situation financially, even if it is yourself. 

Main Image Courtesy: Pexels