NZHELELE – Shonisani Tseta (30) of Nzhelele-Tshithuthuni decided to stop blaming the government for not providing him with a job, but he took matters upon himself and created an informal job for himself.

Although he became a laughing stock at first, people became used to his business and he says he is now happy because he can support his unemployed wife Sophie (26) and his three-year-old kid, Mukonazwothe. Shonisani sells Legere (a Venda word for an improved, home-made version of a catapult) in Thohoyandou Township.

Legereare made of rubber and a leather piece and they are supported by a wooden Y-shaped piece of wood for easier handling. An object is inserted in the piece of leather and the rubber releases it to its intended destination.

“Everyone laughed at me when I started selling my products in March last year. I sell each set at R10 and I can sell about 10 of them on busy days.” Shonisani says his customers are mostly adults who have problems with baboons in their mealie fields.

“They use Legereto scare the baboons and monkeys away. Other young people also buy my products, but the majority of my customers are the elders.”

Although he does not make the product himself, he says there is a little profit as he buy them in bulk for a lower price at Malamulele.

“I buy them in bulk and the guy gives me some discount. It is better than sitting at home and doing nothing because I can take some food home each day when I knock off…”

Shonisani condemned the behaviour of other community members who use Legereto attack other people. “Those people must be arrested and prosecuted because Legereare not meant to attack people. But if properly used, they do not pose any danger to the commu-nity.”