4.2 Objective One: To Explore Whether Car Guarding is a Viable Form of
4.2.1 Shopping Complex in Umbilo, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Table 4.1 below presents the findings on Car Guard activities, earnings and selected expenses at a shopping complex in the Umbilo area of Durban.
TABLE 4.1 Overview Of Car Guard Activities, Earnings And Selected Expenses
Criteria Person A Person B Person C Person D Person E
Estimated Earnings from Car Guarding
Daily R150 R50 R80 - R100 R100 R50
Weekly R1000 R250 R500 R500– R600 R250
Monthly R3000- R4000 R1000-R1500 R2000- R2500 R2500 R1000-R1200
Hours Worked Per Week
Monday 7am- 4pm 8am- 1pm
Tuesday 7am- 7pm 7am- 4pm 1pm - 7pm 8am- 1pm 10am- 3pm
Wednesday 7am- 7pm 7am- 4pm 1pm - 7pm 8am- 1pm 10am- 3pm
Thursday 7am- 7pm 7am- 4pm 1pm - 7pm 8am- 1pm 10am- 3pm
Friday 7am- 7pm 7am- 4pm 1pm - 7pm 8am- 1pm 10am- 3pm
Saturday 7am- 7pm 10am- 3pm
Sunday 7am- 7pm
Best Earning Time Frames
Times 4pm 1- 3 pm 1pm 12pm - 2pm 12pm - 3pm
Days/ Nights Everyday Everyday Friday Weekend Saturdays
Additional Factors that Affect Earnings Cold weather earn
less Rainy weather earn
less Cold and rain affects
income People not able
to pay Rainy weather Cancer of Mouth General Breakdown of Income (on Expenditure)
Accommodation (Cost per month)
Shelter R800
Share room R750
Rent room in flat R1500
Share room R800
Shelter
R800
Alcohol No Yes No Yes Yes
Tobacco No No No No No
Additional Findings Saving to study & go back to DRC
Saving to go home Pension of
R1400 Family and Dependents
Age and Gender 38 Male 28 Male 35 Male 38 Male 64 Female
Country of origin DRC DRC DRC DRC SA, White
Years car guard 1 year 3 years 3 years 5 years 15 years
Table 4.1 provides findings on car guards interviewed at a shopping complex in Umbilo. Earnings from tips range from R1000 to R2500 a month. One car guard stated that he earns up to R4000 a month, possibly as he is the only car guard at this location that works longer hours and six days a week, which include weekends.
The hours that these smartly dressed, more formal car guards work is predetermined, and cannot be changed. When a car guard starts to work for a car guarding agency a parking area is allocated, and with it the times the car guard may work.
Car guards also mentioned that in addition to working weekends, earnings are influenced by where the car guards are positioned, relative to the shopping centres main entrances. Those guarding cars nearest the entrances and close to the shops show higher earnings than those situated at the far ends of the shopping complex.
The car guards all mentioned that the weather affects their earnings, especially when it rains as most shoppers are eager to get into their vehicles, and reluctant to open the window once in the car, due to the rain, and thus do not tip the car guard.
In addition it was mentioned that as Umbilo is a relatively low income area, many people are either unable or unwilling to tip.
During sunny days, car guards are exposed to the sun‟s relentless heat and therefore more prone to the negative health risks of excessive sun exposure. An elderly white female car guard interviewed, mentioned that she has cancer of the mouth and was advised by her doctor to stay out of the sun, but due to the sheer necessity of earning a living she has no choice but to endure exposure to the sun‟s radiation and guard cars. In addition she mentioned she can barely afford to buy sun block.
Most of the car guards lodge at shelters, as they offer reasonable sleeping facilities with communal showers. One car guard rents a room, while the fifth shares a room.
Shared rooms may house up to four individuals who share a room by separating the living area with a curtain. The rental paid is proportional to the space each individual occupies. All the car guards interviewed live close to where they work.
None of the respondents smoke but three admitted to consuming alcohol, often due to the hardship of their circumstances.
It was also noted that two of the non-South African car guards mentioned they are saving to return to the DRC due to their financial situation as well as free of xenophobic violence and racism.
Additionally it was found that one of the car guards (an elderly white lady) receives a pension of R1400, but still guarded cars due to her financial situation.
All the car guards pay R25 a day to an agency that regulates and monitors the car guards at this venue, yet none of the car guards interviewed received any equipment to assist them with car guarding such as radios or reflective jackets. These findings where similar to those found by Steyn et al., (2015) who stated that the equipment given to car guards usually included no more than a name badge and a bib.
In addition the uniforms which are compulsory and must be worn by the car guards daily, and cost R250 and are paid for by the car guards, from their daily earnings. In addition the car guards also pay additional for their shirts, pants and caps.
Most of the car guards at this site are from the DRC, in addition one local South African had been car guarding for 15 years.
Overleaf, a discussion follows of the findings for Glenwood Village Spar complex.