Move over recruitment agencies and online job boards because the real employment boom in the Helderberg seems to be happening right at the red lights. Anyone who has driven down Main Road or sat at the R44 intersection lately will have noticed that the local robots are busier than a Monday morning at home affairs.
It is no longer just a quick stop for a flier or hinting for a spare bit of change. For many it appears that standing at the intersection has become a full time profession with regular shifts and prime locations that are more sought after than a corner office in the city.
THE NINE TO FIVE AT THE INTERSECTION
The dedication is certainly there. You will see the same faces every single day come rain or shine. They have their specific spots and their own sets of cardboard signs which are basically their CVs for the passing traffic. Some drivers have even noted that the staff at these robots seem to have better attendance records than people working in the actual shops nearby. The rumour among the idling cars is that business is actually quite good. While most of us are worrying about the price of eggs and the cost of electricity these roadside professionals are out there gathering a steady stream of tax free income one silver coin at a time.
TURNING DOWN THE TRADITIONAL GRIND
What is truly puzzling for some local residents is that many of these robot regulars are reportedly turning down actual job offers. There have been stories of homeowners offering a day of gardening or some light lifting only to be met with a polite but firm no thank you. It seems that when you have a prime spot at a busy intersection the idea of a traditional nine to five just does not have the same appeal. Why spend eight hours pulling weeds for a set wage when you can be your own boss and choose your own hours while the traffic does the work for you?
TRAFFIC LIGHT TACTICS
The competition for these top spots is getting fierce. From the guys doing pretend cripple for a five rand to the ones with the most heartbreaking stories written in black marker, it is a masterclass in marketing. Some residents have joked that they might start bringing their own chairs and cardboard signs to the robots if the petrol price goes up one more time.
While the city officials might have something to say about the legality of it all the reality is that the Helderberg’s robots have become a permanent fixture of our local economy. It is a strange new world where the person asking for your spare change might actually be having a more successful financial year than the person behind the steering wheel.
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