The Neighbourhood Watch by Rem'y Ngamije

THE PLIGHT OF STREET FAMILIES

Having read and discussed the anthology 'A Silent Song &Other Stories', I strongly opine that  writing and investigative journalism are both the same sides of the coin. A reading of the stories "Cheque Mate" by Kevin Baldeosingh  and "The Neighbourhood Watch" by Rem'y Ngamije affirm this.

In 'The Neighbourhood Watch', Ngamije asserts that there are existing street families on the streets. They are not necessarily blood relatives  but they are brought together by the camaraderie spirit to confront the challenges that the streets present. 

The family on this story's spotlight has self-styled themselves as 'The Neighbourhood Watch'. The family is made up of Elias, Lazarus, Silas, Omagano- the only female member- and Martin. The street life has dehumanised the family and this has led them to lead an undignified place on the streets. They literally forage for food leftovers in the dustbins. Such picking is traumatic as they come across old food, used condoms and what's more? Thrown new born babies!

Secondly, the Neighbourhood Watch has sprinkled NW on the pillars found on the bridge's underside where they call home. They are dehumanised to an extent that they seem satisfied with sleeping in the cold. They are happy that the 'Headquarters', as they call their 'home', remains dry during the rains and wards off cold during winter.

Thirdly, on the anarchist streets, the NW has been forced to defend their territory from a rival posse more than once. Any encroachment to their territory promises a bloody reprisal. Lazarus, the de facto second-in-command's ability to step up into a fight can turn a bookie's odds to the NW favour. Although the CBD is viewed as everyone's supermarket, some rival groups try to cordon off fruitful alleys and blocks. Well, simply put, the street is chaotic and the strong have their say and way.

Fourthly, there is an interesting disdain for emancipation by the NW family. Elias, the senior most member of the family, uses appropriately his savoir faire with Mrs. Benzuidenhout, who gives them food, clothes for winter, books to light fires and rosaries for prayers. When Silas asks Elias why it has not crossed the latter's mind to petition Mrs. Benzuidenhout to at least find them a shelter, Elias paradoxically says that Mrs. Bezuidenhout takes from them more than she gives. He clarifies that though they need the street to survive on the streets, Mrs. Bezuidenhout seems to be taking the streets away from them. This is compounded by his stance that the family should not dream about any life other than the street life they have now. His trademark argument is; "The streets snacks on those who regret and dream about tomorrow. The street life is today." He adds, "Today one needs food. Today one needs shelter. Today one needs today to survive". This argument implies the fact that Elias seems to be complacent with the street life and any attempt to relieve him of the 'street' will be met with vehement opposition. 

Although the dehumanizing street life serve the Neighbourhood Watch family with despicable woes, there seems to be optimism and hope for these families in pursuit of restoring their dignity.