I employ six staff. I pay them salaries. So I looked into minimum salaries as proscribed in the South African law.
They are low, very low.
You might be pleased to know that I pay my staff
substantially more than the minimum wage, but I am sure there are many people who just earn the minimum.
I like a challenge...
The Challenge: Live for a month on the minimum wage which is
R2600 - $216 in the agricultural sector which is where my main job is.
Some parameters:
- I don't have to pay rent so I will give my rental money - which
I worked out by taking the average rent my staff pay - to a charity
- I have a company car which I need for work. I cannot run
my company without transport. I will pay my bus fee to and from work to
charity
- I will do this experiment all by myself. My kids will not
be affected by this. School fees, food and other things for them will be
provided as normal.
- I will keep a record of all my expenses so I can track all
my spending.
Why
- Can I do it? We all need challenges in life. (Tweet This)
- I want to know how the other side shop, live, think about
money...
The result
I don't know.
I don't expect to really understand poverty, but
I will hopefully get an insight.
I trust that I will learn some things.
What's in it for you?
Some updates from the other side of the beautiful Port Elizabeth in South Africa . Most likely some stories
about being hungry and annoyed at being poor. Maybe some deep, but probably
more shallow thoughts on life and it's 'meaning'.
Connect: