• The female mashonisa lends money to parents, pensioners and workers in Pimville who can’t stretch their salaries or social grants to month end.

• She says many can’t pay her back, leaving her broke, stressed and sometimes scared for her safety.

In Pimville, Soweto, where salaries don’t go far, a local mashonisa has become the person many people turn to for help.

She runs a mashonisa business, lending money to parents, pensioners and workers who run out of cash before payday. Her loans range from R200 to R7,000 depending on how much people need and when they ask for it.

“From the 26th to the 4th, people borrow bigger amounts, but after the 8th it’s usually smaller loans,” said the mashonisa.

She charges 50% interest and sometimes allows people to pay back in two instalments, but many still fail to pay on time.

“I had a target for lending this month, but some clients didn’t pay,” she said. “I had to cut my own spending and couldn’t lend to others.”

Running the business is tough. Some clients disappear, and others insult her when she asks for her money back. “Sometimes I fear for my life,” she said.

She said the stress affects her home life too. “By month end, my family sees a different side of me. I’m moody and worried about unpaid loans,” she said.

Even with all the pressure, she keeps helping people because the demand is growing.

“People’s salaries can’t even cover half of what they need,” she said. “Some borrow just to buy food.”

She also said she also gives advice to her clients about using money wisely, even when she’s struggling herself.

Pictured above: Pimville.

Image source: @iseedifferent