Floodgates of business opened

Nozipho Ncube
TWENTY-FIVE cents and off you cross!

Therea��s a new breed of entrepreneurs in Bulawayoa��s Cowdray Park that charge between 25 and 50 cents to help people cross flooded streams and bridges.

B-Metro spoke to one of them.A� Mbongeni Moyo (24) admittedly would change course when the rainy season finally ends but for now $10 a day is good money and his only training is growing up in rural areas.

a�?I grew up in the rural areas where we used to cross flooded rivers. I use that experience to help children because most of them especially primary school kids are short and they are at risk of drowning. I also help women who are scared to cross on their own,a�? said Moyo.

He carries primary school children on his shoulders for 25 cents while high school pupils and women held by hand part with 50 cents.

a�?I just carry the little children on my shoulders and hold older people by hand especially women,a�? he said.

Where commuter omnibus operators refuse to cross a�� that translates to money for Moyo and others like him.

Mfowabo Ncube, a local brick layer said kombi drivers refuse to even go past flooded rivers and thata��s business for Moyo.

a�?Kombis were dropping people off in the middle of nowhere, they could not drive past flooded roads and people were left stranded and looking for means to get to their homes. The young men who were helping people to cross started the whole thing as a joke but later a number of young men started helping people cross in exchange for money,a�? said Ncube.

One parent who identified herself as Lydia ShavaA� said the underdevelopment of the suburb had increased her expenses as she had to give her child extra money in case roads became flooded.

a�?The drainage system here in Cowdray Park is so poor and the roads are full of potholes so I think whenever it rains water collects and roads become flooded. Ita��s very dangerous for poor kids to cross flooded roads so we have no choice but to give them extra money to pay those who can help them cross and get home safely,a�? said Shava.
Councillor for Cowdray Park, Collet Ndlovu was not available for comment.