Belrand Mpila, a car guard at Clifton Fourth Beach works now accepts cashless payments
Image: SUPPLIED
For more than ten years, Belrand Mpila has worked as a car guard in the city centre, watching it change around him.
Now, he says, the biggest change is not the cars — but the way people pay. And because of this, Mr Mpila has signed up to use Paytip.me, a simple snapscan system that allows customers to scan a QR code or enter their phone number and pay a tip from as little as R5.
There is no app to download and no account needed.
“No one can say that they don’t have change and funds,” he joked.
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr Mpila moved to South Africa as a toddler.
He grew up in Woodstock and now lives in Mitchell's Plain with his wife and three children.
To support his family, which, he said, has always been his main focus, he first worked at Table Mountain, greeting visitors and keeping an eye on their vehicles.
Later, he moved to Clifton 4th Beach after spotting what he calls “bigger opportunities”.
“Customers no longer give cash, it is just tapped and straight into my bank account,” he said.
Mr Mpila said the snapscan system has brought more than convenience.
In the past, he said he was robbed while carrying cash. Now, with money paid directly into his account, he feels safer.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, February 24, and Wednesday, February 25, he said he made thousands of rand through digital transactions alone, although he chose not to share the exact amount.
Mr Mpila said that for him, the money is about more than daily survival. “This is to help our family, and help grow this economy,” he said.
One day, he hopes to start his own business and build something lasting. He dreams that when he retires, his children will be able to take over and continue what he has started.
“It’s only growth from here on out. Everything I am doing is for the future,” he said.
The tipping system runs on Paytip.me, developed by South African fintech firm LegendTags.
Steven Cohen, founder and chief technology officer of LegendTags, said the milestone proves “cashless doesn’t have to mean tipless”, adding that simple technology can help protect livelihoods.
Chief executive officer Darryl Froom said Beltrand’s achievement is “the first of many” and that informal workers deserve equal access to the digital economy.
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