Sometime later, my father got a job as a printing machine maintenance person. We were all happy because it meant a regular salary. The factory where he used to work, Amalgamated Packing Industry, was in Westbury. Westbury used to be far from Alexandra. In order to get there, he had to board a bus to Johannesburg and then take a train to Westbury. He used to come back home at night. It used to be worse in winter because he left when it was dark and came back when it was dark. We used to worry about him.
Alexandra Township did not have any electricity, and it was known as the Dark City. We used to use candles for light. Coal braziers were used for cooking. Alexandra was crime ridden. There were lots of gangsters. That is why we feared for my father.
My father was happy about his new job. He was well paid. He worked Mondays to Fridays and was paid weekly. On weekends, he would take me to town. My father was very fond of me. People used to say that...
To find out what people used to say about Rose; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
Thursday, 14 December 2017
Friday, 8 December 2017
Chapter 24 - Albert Coming to Alexandra
Sometime later, my mother went to Pietersburg for a funeral. My mother with a few relatives hired a van to transport them to Pietersburg. She came back from the funeral with my cousin Albert. Albert had passed his Standard 6, but due to a lack of funds, he could not further his studies.
His single mother earned a small salary as a domestic worker. He came to Alexandra to look for work. The other reason for his coming to stay with us was that he had become mischievous.
Albert used to live with my grandparents in Pietersburg. He used to steal money from them to buy dagga and tobacco. There was a time when he stole money that my father had given to my grandfather. The money was intended to be used to buy cattle. My grandfather hid the money in the house, but Albert saw where the money was hid. He stole the money to buy tobacco and dagga.
My mother arranged for him to get an identity document (ID). As Albert's father was an Indian, Albert could get an ID instead of a dompas. Mrs Thekiso, my mother's coloured friend, took Albert to the pass office to get him an ID. She had agreed that she would lie to the officials and say that Albert ...
To read more on what Mrs Thekiso lied to the officials about concerning Albert; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
His single mother earned a small salary as a domestic worker. He came to Alexandra to look for work. The other reason for his coming to stay with us was that he had become mischievous.
Albert used to live with my grandparents in Pietersburg. He used to steal money from them to buy dagga and tobacco. There was a time when he stole money that my father had given to my grandfather. The money was intended to be used to buy cattle. My grandfather hid the money in the house, but Albert saw where the money was hid. He stole the money to buy tobacco and dagga.
My mother arranged for him to get an identity document (ID). As Albert's father was an Indian, Albert could get an ID instead of a dompas. Mrs Thekiso, my mother's coloured friend, took Albert to the pass office to get him an ID. She had agreed that she would lie to the officials and say that Albert ...
To read more on what Mrs Thekiso lied to the officials about concerning Albert; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
Friday, 27 October 2017
Chapter 23 - Dompas Problem
In 1960, my brother Job came to Alexandra from Pietersburg. Job lived with my grandparents in a village in Pietersburg. When he came to stay with us in Alexandra, the family could finally be all together.
Job struggled to pass Standard 6 in Alexandra. This did not come as a surprise as he barely managed to pass Standard 5. He failed Standard 6 so many times that he finally gave up and started looking for a job. It was not easy for him to get a job because he was not born in Alexandra. In those days, the law prohibited anyone from outside Johannesburg to get a job in Alexandra.
My brother only had a baptismal certificate from Pietersburg. My mother accompanied him to the pass office to try and get him a dompas. At the pass office, he was told to go back to Pietersburg. My mother pleaded with the authorities. She explained to them that he was her son, and she did not want him to be separated from the rest of the family. The officials were cruel; they refused.
My mother went to the local pastor for assistance. Pastor Molaba lived in the Presbyterian church's premises in Tenth Avenue. The pastor ...
To read more on how the pastor helped Rose's mother and her brother on the dompass problem; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
Job struggled to pass Standard 6 in Alexandra. This did not come as a surprise as he barely managed to pass Standard 5. He failed Standard 6 so many times that he finally gave up and started looking for a job. It was not easy for him to get a job because he was not born in Alexandra. In those days, the law prohibited anyone from outside Johannesburg to get a job in Alexandra.
My brother only had a baptismal certificate from Pietersburg. My mother accompanied him to the pass office to try and get him a dompas. At the pass office, he was told to go back to Pietersburg. My mother pleaded with the authorities. She explained to them that he was her son, and she did not want him to be separated from the rest of the family. The officials were cruel; they refused.
My mother went to the local pastor for assistance. Pastor Molaba lived in the Presbyterian church's premises in Tenth Avenue. The pastor ...
To read more on how the pastor helped Rose's mother and her brother on the dompass problem; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
 |
| My elder brother, Mashaole Job Rakoma, who had a "dompass" problem. |
Friday, 13 October 2017
Review by Xlibris
Memoir shows author's resilience, perseverance
Rose Mmatsatsi Rakoma Llale imparts story of hardship and success, inspiring readers
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - For many years, the citizens of South Africa have been divided due to the apartheid system. The racial divide may have ended now, but the scars of the past cannot be easily removed. Author Rose Mmatsatsi Rakoma Llale looks back during the time of the apartheid era and shares a touching story of rising over trials and poverty through her memoir, "The Memories of My Life in Alexandra Township I Know".
Looking back to her childhood years, Llale narrates how her family had struggled with poverty, with her parents making both ends meet while keeping everyone together. Advancing to her teenage and adult years, Llale becomes a picture of optimism as she studied, earned her degree and worked her way to building her own family.
Honest and raw, Llale's account of growing up in Alexandra Township during the apartheid era shows readers the undeniable contrast of life in the urban and the rural areas. Written with such passion to share and inspire, "The Memories of My Life in Alexandra Township I Know" is one testimony of a woman rising over life's tough challenges.
"The Memories of My Life in Alexandra Township I Know"
By Rose Mmatsatsi Rakoma Llale
Softcover| 6 x 9in | 89 pages | ISBN 9781483693804
E-Book | 89 pages | ISBN 9781483693811
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Rose Mmatsatsi Llale (nee Rakoma) is the first daughter of the late Josiah Rakoma and the late Hendrica Rakoma. She resided in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, South Africa. She was married to the late Amos Mokone Llale, who passed away in 1992. They were blessed with four daughters, and two granddaughters. Llale first qualified as a higher primary school teacher in 1962. She taught for only nine months in 1963. Then in October 1963, she enrolled as a student nurse at Pretoria General Hospital. In 1968, she qualified as a midwife at Baragwanath Hospital. In 1977, she qualified as an ophthalmic nurse at St. John Eye Hospital in Johannesburg. In 1980, she obtained primary health care nursing diploma at Soweto Community Health Centres in Johannesburg and obtained a BCUR nursing degree in 1986 with the University of South Africa. From December 1999 to November 2000, she worked at a nursing home in Glasgow, Scotland. In the year 2002, she worked in Northampton's Rushden Nursing Home, and for the last six months, she worked in Wales' Nursing Home. At present, she is retired and is doing sessional nursing at Baragwanath's St. John Eye Hospital section.
Friday, 29 September 2017
Chapter 22 - Thusi The Policeman
The policemen used to patrol the streets regularly. Many people used to be arrested during these patrols. They used to target people selling or drinking homemade brew and brandy. Those who did not have dompas, or the permit for being in Alexandra, were also arrested.
My mother used to make homemade brew. She also engaged in fah-fee* (Chinese gambling) as a source of income. My father was a domestic worker. He later owned his own business of shoe repair and a barbershop.
Our living conditions were difficult. When one of us had chicken pox, in no time, all of us would get infected. The local nurses used to come and give my mom health education. There was one clinic in Alexandra called Alexandra Township Clinic. We were vaccinated against different diseases such as TB, measles, polio, etc.
One day, as my mother was busy brewing beer, police suddenly stormed into the yard through the fence......
To read more on what happened when the apartheid-era police found Rose's mother brewing beer illegaly in her yard; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
My mother used to make homemade brew. She also engaged in fah-fee* (Chinese gambling) as a source of income. My father was a domestic worker. He later owned his own business of shoe repair and a barbershop.
Our living conditions were difficult. When one of us had chicken pox, in no time, all of us would get infected. The local nurses used to come and give my mom health education. There was one clinic in Alexandra called Alexandra Township Clinic. We were vaccinated against different diseases such as TB, measles, polio, etc.
One day, as my mother was busy brewing beer, police suddenly stormed into the yard through the fence......
To read more on what happened when the apartheid-era police found Rose's mother brewing beer illegaly in her yard; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
Friday, 8 September 2017
Chapter 21 - The Sewage System
Alexandra Township used the bucket sewerage system. Masepala men, as they were called, used to replace full buckets with empty ones. The cleaned buckets were greased with a disinfectant and tar. It used to amuse all the children in the neighbourhood.
The buckets were removed at night, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Masepala men used to come twice per week, Mondays and Fridays. They never wanted to be known. Most of them were Zulu speaking. Watching them to do their job was fun.
Buckets were emptied onto a truck parked in front of the gate of every yard. Another truck brought empty buckets. As the Masepala men were busy, we would be playing our black mampatile game. We were naughty and used to tease them. We would say, 'Masepala, Masepala, etc'. They would be mad at us.
One night, as we were teasing them, one of the Masepala men became very angry. He took a bucket full of...
To read more on what was in the bucket of the Masepala man and what he did with it; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
The buckets were removed at night, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Masepala men used to come twice per week, Mondays and Fridays. They never wanted to be known. Most of them were Zulu speaking. Watching them to do their job was fun.
Buckets were emptied onto a truck parked in front of the gate of every yard. Another truck brought empty buckets. As the Masepala men were busy, we would be playing our black mampatile game. We were naughty and used to tease them. We would say, 'Masepala, Masepala, etc'. They would be mad at us.
One night, as we were teasing them, one of the Masepala men became very angry. He took a bucket full of...
To read more on what was in the bucket of the Masepala man and what he did with it; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
Friday, 1 September 2017
Chapter 20 - The Burglary
We were a family of twelve and lived in a two-roomed house. It had a kitchen and a bedroom. The kitchen was used as a dining room as well. We rented the house from Tshwaedi family. They were cousin to King Lebone Molotlegi of Rustenburg.
In our yard there used to be a cottage occupied by a family of six. There was a flat-roofed house occupied by three families. The big house in the middle was occupied by the owner of the property. We all shared the four toilets outside. The owner locked his toilet, and the rest of the families shared the other three toilets. The toilets were what was known as the bucket system. The buckets were not covered by any barrier at the back.
There was no privacy, and some naughty guys used to pass urine at the back and peep at girls in the toilets. If we noticed any guy at the back of the toilet, we waited till he was gone. Many a time, we saw guys peeping through the back of the toilet.
One tap of water was used by all. Collecting water was scheduled at specific times. A bell would ring, and buckets would be placed in a row in order to collect water. If you are not present during that time, you may just forget receiving any water. We were all cautious about the time of collecting water.
Since our house was overcrowded, my siblings and I used to sleep on the floor.
We all slept in one bedroom. Our parents slept on the bed. The bed was covered by a screen. One night we were all sleeping, and thugs broke into our house...
To read more on what the thugs did after they broke into Rose's house while they were sleeping; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
In our yard there used to be a cottage occupied by a family of six. There was a flat-roofed house occupied by three families. The big house in the middle was occupied by the owner of the property. We all shared the four toilets outside. The owner locked his toilet, and the rest of the families shared the other three toilets. The toilets were what was known as the bucket system. The buckets were not covered by any barrier at the back.
There was no privacy, and some naughty guys used to pass urine at the back and peep at girls in the toilets. If we noticed any guy at the back of the toilet, we waited till he was gone. Many a time, we saw guys peeping through the back of the toilet.
One tap of water was used by all. Collecting water was scheduled at specific times. A bell would ring, and buckets would be placed in a row in order to collect water. If you are not present during that time, you may just forget receiving any water. We were all cautious about the time of collecting water.
Since our house was overcrowded, my siblings and I used to sleep on the floor.
We all slept in one bedroom. Our parents slept on the bed. The bed was covered by a screen. One night we were all sleeping, and thugs broke into our house...
To read more on what the thugs did after they broke into Rose's house while they were sleeping; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).
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