Prilly & Lena

22 Oct

He introduced himself to me as Prilly but, as he was quick to point out, his proper name is Arthur. People call me Prilly, he said, as his father’s name was April. It was on a subsequent visit that I met his partner, Lena.

I first noticed their home down on the shore, when driving in and out of St Helena Bay. It seemed to be an informal recycling operation, so I decided to find out. Indeed, he runs a small recycling business, mainly with cardboard these days, as glass is no longer an option for him, for obvious reasons as you’ll see.

Prilly is a St Helena Bay local or, as I like to refer to them, one of The Originals. At the age of six, he went to a school for the visually impaired in Bellville. He went on to study and practice law, mostly serving the poor. He was too soft, he said, telling clients they only need to pay him when they can afford to. They never paid. So he eventually gave up and returned to StHB.

He has now lost about 95% of his vision. Lena, his partner, has been 100% blind from birth. I only realised the true extent of Prilly’s blindness when I showed him a piece of wood as a sample for picture frames. ( I thought I might be able to give him some business). Lena said, let him touch it so he knows what I’m talking about.

They are well-known and loved in their community, and he is a regular sight as he taps his way around the streets with his white cane.

They live right on the shoreline, but are threatened by encroaching gentrification. St Helena Bay is the second-fastest growing town in the country, and properties like theirs are being looked at with acquisitive eyes. He has a looming legal battle on his hands.

I will update this as I follow their story.

Here are some photos in the mean time..