PLEASE DONT LET HER EMIGRATE

PROJECT SAVE JOANIE

Joanie has been my hair stylist in Paarl for about 18 months now. She had to stomach my drama for over 18 consecutive months (I mean ex-girlfriends, sister-issues, divorce baggage, various mother-related insecurities and that weird thing on my back) but never once did she draw blood whilst shaving or cutting my hair. She is kind, listens intently, and shows complete empathy for all her clients.

I consider Joanie to be my personal psychologist who just happens to be an excellent hair stylist as well. Joanie has unknowingly become my emotional support system – that person you go see when your life needs re-alignment. The one you can share your deepest secrets with because she doesn’t have your mother’s number. You always leave there feeling lighter (literally and figuratively speaking).

To me, Joanie represents all the things that make this country worth fighting for. An example of the moral backbone needed for South Africa to retain its identity. It is something that can not be bought or acquired but is instilled over generations through the careful nurturing of good values and ethics in our children. Sadly, people like Joanie are a dying breed these days.

In spite of all the support that she provides, Joanie recently suffered a massive financial setback and is in need of urgent support herself.

A friend borrowing her car while running an errand, misjudged a cornering turn on a very rainy Thursday morning on 02 May, and slid off of Plattekloof Road. The friend was ok with no serious injuries but the car was a near write-off (please refer to attached photos). Since her friend is not listed as a driver on the insurance policy, insurance refuses to cover the cost of repairs. Quotations for repairs were sourced from several places with the best priced quote amounting to a massive R 82 676.00 (please refer to quote details attached).

Consequently, Joanie’s life is a logistical nightmare at the moment with her having to negotiate lifts from Durbanville to Paarl and back on a daily basis. It has reached a point where she is seriously considering moving to Europe for work in order to pay off the outstanding debt. She loves South Africa but if she can not get her car fixed, she has no alternative but to leave for greener pastures with safe public transport and whatnot.

Taking the existing exodus of good and skilled people from SA into account, I don’t think we can afford to lose Joanie or anyone of her caliber for that matter. Aren’t you tired of seeing our country lose the people that made it special in the first place?

I implore you to do the right thing and save South Africa. Save our country from losing Joanie. What we have here is a classic damsel in distress scenario where you have the power to change her future for good. So please, step forward and stand up. Do it for Joanie. And do it for my emotional stability.

No matter how big or small, any donation towards Joanie’s cause will be sincerely heartfelt and much appreciated.