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With a small total area of 65.1km² the architecture of the town reflects the colonial rule that made Grahamstown what it is today. There is a distinct divide between the “town” and the former township areas also referred to as the location. Many of these street kids have either lived in the location growing up or still have some family ties in the location.
Masixole Heshu is a 24 year old Grahamstown resident who resides in Joza and studies at Rhodes University. As a local, he has been exposed to the faces and personalities that make up this complex town. Growing up, Heshu has known a number of the young boys who occupy the street long before they were gripped by the agency that comes with living away from home.
I sat down with Heshu to talk about his understanding of these young boys and how he has seen their life change over the years. This interview opened up a dialogue regarding the excessive use of drugs which he has witnessed in a number of these street children, including Sinethemba.
Katyu shared with me the issues he has had with drug addiction, “I went to the hospital sisi because I was smoking the glue. I could not breathe and they said I need to stop smoking otherwise… so I stopped.”
Heshu tells a story of a place he often frequents in the location called Thembi’s which is well known shoe repair shop and drug dispensary. He often spent time at this place as a way to look out for his own brother who has had problems with addiction. The drugs of choice for these young street kids are known as “Star”(a local term used for a tablet drug which has apparent calming effects) and Tic (also known as Crystal Meth).
