University graduate begging for food shines spotlight on unemployment and poverty
The heartbreaking story of a mother of three, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree but now stands at traffic lights begging for food, has highlighted the daily struggles faced by many ordinary South Africans.
South Africa’s unemployment rate remains above 30%, with millions of people struggling to secure work. The crisis affects people from all walks of life, including those with higher education qualifications.
A recent story that has gone viral online tells the heartbreaking story of a 48-year-old mother of three who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology and Criminology, yet has been unable to find employment. With no stable source of income, she has resorted to standing at traffic lights to ask for food to feed her family.
Her story was shared by Pay It Forward, a KwaZulu-Natal-based non-profit organisation. The organisation also shared heartbreaking images of slices of bread covered in mould, revealing that the woman is sometimes given expired food. It also alleged that some motorists throw food to her through their car windows rather than handing it to her with dignity.
“We have a mother of three children, unemployed and has been for around 18 months. And not for a lack of trying everything,” the social media post reads.
"She has a cardboard sign. She asks only for food. Not money, not a fur coat, not a car. Just food."
The story has touched the hearts of many South Africans and paints a painful picture of the realities faced by countless families across the country. Beyond highlighting the devastating impact of unemployment and poverty, it has also sparked conversations about Ubuntu, compassion and the importance of treating every person with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances.
Here's what some people had to say in the comments:
Whoever gave this lady the mouldy bread....do you have no shame!!
You could at least have given her something decent to eat. Or money to buy something to eat. ·
I don't have words.....But if I won't eat it then surely, I won't give it to someone.
This is shocking 😲. I'm so sorry that there are people in this world who think that it's "funny" to behave this way towards those that are struggling. They don't want to be in the position that they are in and they are embarrassed to stand at the traffic lights asking for some food. They have their pride, too. Come on South Africans....we are better than this. Just remember...."There but for the grace of God, go I". Do better...be better
In today's day and age people have no respect empathy and compassion towards one another. It's so sad but true.
That's an absolute disgrace. I once ate mouldy bread by mistake and got extremely ill. Hope the person who gave that to her goes home to find ALL their food mouldy.
The problem with people is they think one is uneducated, on drugs or alcohol, and mildew bread is okay, you are the one that's hard up. It's inhumane and assumption based.
See the heartbreaking story below.
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