In the same manner as the adage “cleanliness is next to Godliness”, Ellen Sithole, arguably one of the City’s most admired general workers for the past 13 years, believes a clean workstation is a productive one. When Sithole arrives at the Metro Centre at the crack of dawn, she heads straight to the 2nd floor to clock in and report for her daily duties before the revs of vehicles fill the three basement levels of the municipal building in Braamfontein and the sound of the talking lifts beeps from floor to floor.

Sithole’s typical day begins with her riding the lift to the 11th floor, where her work officially starts. She grabs her push trolley and loads it up with supplies she requires, including sanitizer, a washcloth, a dusting cloth, a bucket of water, and some gloves.

“Once my cart has all its tools, I set off from the kitchen to the bathrooms and then head out down the passage from office to office,” she says.

Sithole says the kitchen is the heart of a home and, much like hers, must always be pristine. “I wipe, dust, and shine the counter tops so that everyone on the 11th floor can enjoy a kitchen that is in perfect condition,” she says.

She adds that once she starts with the bathrooms, her mindset changes. “I know the smells and looks of public toilets; it’s never a nice place to be.”

Sithole says she makes sure that every toilet on the 11th floor is spotless; the floors are dried, and the seats are wiped down every single day. “I also top up the toilet paper and make sure there is a full bottle of handwash to use.”

“A bathroom is a shared space, and I strongly believe in leaving it the way you found it. I appreciate the employees on the 11th floor because they never leave the bathroom in an unbearable state,” Sithole says.

Part of her routine involves vacuuming the passage and every office every other day. She then wipes down the desks and dusts the offices that have pictures in frames.

“My favourite part of this job is walking into certain offices and receiving a warm ‘good morning Mamzo or Hi Ma El’ with big smiles from some of my colleagues. Others even share a special treat with me,” she says.

When the bustle settles, Sithole enjoys a chatter and chuckle over a cup of tea and her skaftien (lunchbox) at lunchtime, which she packed the night before.

The 11th floor employees already know that Sithole, with her ruby red hair, unique earrings, and special love for flowers and bright colours, will leave their workspace spick and span.

Sithole says her job is a particularly important one. It sets the tone for herself and other employees.

“I love to work in a clean environment. As a general worker and cleaner for the City, that’s exactly what I strive to do every day: give people a spotless place to work. I make sure that I don’t fall victim to complaints of dirt and untidiness. I constantly remind myself that I don’t like to work in dirty conditions,” she emphasises.

Sithole has been working for the City for the past 13 years, and before joining the municipality, she was working odd jobs, washing and cleaning for people from time to time.

When she is not at work, Sithole is home with her late husband’s family, enjoying time to rest and, of course, attending church and singing her favourite hymn, Hayo Mathata (there are no struggles) in Soweto every Sunday morning.

“Although I mostly do the same thing every day, it’s important for me to have a cheerful outlook and enjoy my place of work. Everything ends, and I will not work forever. So, I do my best while I can,” she says.

Sithole will retire from the employ of the City in October 2023.

Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph

05/05/2023