Beggars are Bold Here

I just arrived in Grahamstown. Two days later, I went in search of a place for cheap grub, it is important I operate on low budget because my scholarship funding allows me Spartan living. Lucky me, I discovered Hungry Lion. And with R21, I got a sizeable meal. As I was wolving down the chicken and chips, a stranger stepped into my corner and was demanding for a ration of my meagre meal. And he was so bold about it. “Get me some”, he seemed to say in a language I cannot yet understand. What!

“If you want some, go get yourself a pack on your own account.” I shot back at him. He gave me wrathful looks and swaggered off. Jeez! Beggars are bold here.

At another time, along High street one accosted me as I was brooding over the loss of my phone. He wanted a share of my rand. And the way he approached me, you would think he is a tax collector. I was madder than hell.

Back home, at a place like Hungary Lion, a beggar would wait patiently by the door. And as you are stepping out, he will approach you timidly and appeal to your sense of charity. As he is doing that, he is offering you a litany of prayers in different major languages since he does know which of the languages you speak. And Nigerians are sucker for prayers. You could pray your way into wealth as a beggar in Nigeria. In fact, there are stories of beggars who have built houses, married wives and sent their children to good schools. Yet, while they are doing such ‘great’ things, they continue begging. Yes, begging could be a profitable career in Nigeria.

Nigerians beggars are a creative bunch. You could see them sweeping the pedestrians clean; with a big bowl for alms collection placed by his/her side. Or he is wiping the windshield of your car clean as he is stretching hands for alms. The message he is sending across is: I could stop begging if I am employed.

There are some that entertain passersby with music and dance for a gift of cash or food.

You also have those ones with different emotional stories. Today, he could tell you that he is a graduate in search of job, and he just needs N20 to take him to the venue of interview. Tomorrow, his story could change to be “I am a man of God raising money for the motherless babies”. Nigerians beggars are persuaders.

But I am yet to discover beggars of Grahamstown with such ‘niceties’. He is either rudely asking you for cash as if you contribute to his underprivileged state. Or he is just expecting you to walk up to him and open your wallet on his lap. I ain’t going to do that. You got to do some stuff to get me dip my hands in the pocket; else you won’t get no nickel from me. Pardon me please, I am a Nigerian.

Ajibola Amzat is a Rhodes student from Nigeria