Should the government lower the cost of public transport to give waiters one less thing to worry about when working through their monthly budget? This is what radio presenter Anele Mdoda feels is necessary as many cannot always afford to report to work due to low income and the high cost of transportation in South Africa.
The prominent television personality recently took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share one of her biggest concerns about living in modern-day South Africa. According to her many waiters find themselves unsure of how they will get home at night as they often rely on tips from customers to get them through the week.
In a recent post, she expresses her pain at witnessing these instances, writing: “Nothing breaks my heart more than when a waiter asks for his tip to be in cash so he can have transport money to go to and from work.
“Smart people, isn’t there a way where government subsidies transport the workforce in our country? I tell you, if transport was close to free, we would be able to free up more spending for breadwinners.”
Reflecting on her personal approach towards her staff she explained that none of them pay for their own transportation. Instead, she has decided that she will cover the costs since it is not their fault that they live far from the place they work.
Those in the comment section shared her sentiments as many stood in agreement with her statement.
One person added:
Nothing breaks my heart more than Restaurants that pay below minimum wage, make waiters buy their own uniform, fine waiters for lost or broken cutlery, don’t register employees for UIF.
How did we move from exploitation to Transport. This was all over the news ?
— Patience (@officialtwinny) October 12, 2024
While another wrote:
Me too Anele it hurts me. I always tip in cash. The restaurant business needs to be seriously regulated. On the economic side, our transport infrastructure (trains, buses etc) needs to be prioritised and accessible to all (i.e. Gautrain for “middle class”)
— Mangethe (@MangetheMKP) October 12, 2024
Others meanwhile felt that it was the restaurant owner’s responsibility to stop paying their workers minimum wage.
Why don’t restaurant pay their waiters well. Just so we don’t have to be held ramson, and manipulated to pay people who are not giving us free food?
— Lebogang Itumeleng (@Sledge_Master01) October 12, 2024
Restaurants need to pay their employees a basic salary ,some dont do that .Waiters rely on tips.That restaurants exploit illegal immigrants because they desperate to make a living in SA.They even cheat them on their tips. It’s tough .Transport is not the real issue
— Nico (@nicholasp2105) October 12, 2024
Also see: Anele Mdoda on hosting the upcoming DStv Content Creator Awards
