Blank Slate

Chapter 5

True to his word he did call an hour later and we talked of a bit over the phone before I retire to bed. I did miss his house warming and now it late Sunday and I am preparing for my interview for tomorrow. Takealot  only got back to me via email so I have two interview  scheduled on the same day, thankfully not on the same time. I just hope they don't take long at restaurant because my takealot interview is at 12 pm. I haven't told Sbu as yet but I will definitely  call as soon as I fill either of vacancy.

I have never on to an interview before so I am on going though Google and YouTube for video just to get a feel of possible questions and how to respond. I am so nervous I nervous and I cannot even stomach anything. I am decide to st least make some popcorn's whilst I continue with my interview research. I haven't checked my Text on WhatsApp  since I earlier on this morning. And I know either than Sbu and now Keofentse it's literally just groups and some are still discussing papers we wrote over a week ago and some are just anxious about result so I don't contribute much in those. I only have an input if we are discussing assignments and test that we are preparing and even then I do so responding to direct questions that need specific answer and that's all.

I have been preparing for hours now even my popcorn bowl is finished. I check the time and it is almost midnight. I do not feel ready at all and I am doubt I am going to get any sleep altogether. I am terrified I am going to mess it up and the fact that I have no experience nor have I dined in restaurant where a waiter comes to take an order from my seat. Unlike our fast food joints that just have a sitin option, this is a proper restaurant  with waiters and all not just tellers. I Try set my alarm for 6 am and try to squeeze  in few hours of sleep.
I am waken up buy. My alarming ringing and it feels like I took a 30 minutes nap. I get out of bed and decide to have tea with lots of sugar just to get my sugar levels up since I haven't eaten anything  except the popcorn since yesterday.

Once I finish I start getting ready for my interview.  I don't have anything formal  to look profession nor do I own heels. I wear a black Jean,  white turtle neck jersey and a black coat. Thank to the weather atheist I look decent. By the time I am done it already pass 7. I take my sling bag, phone and some transport money. I will be heading to Kempton park Takealot warehouse from here.

By 8am I am already at restaurant. I go strait to the lady at the bar counter and introduce myself  and I tell her I am here for the interview at scheduled for 8:30. She tells me to seat by the bar and she will alert the manager. About 15 minutes late a tall dark male who looks about 30 something years comes to me and introduces himself as Jabu the manager and I asked the to follow him to the office.

We get to the office and it just the two of us. He offers me a seat.
Jabu: Impressive Miss Mbatha I can see you very punctual. Please do relax. Should I get you anything to drink before we can start.
Me: Um... no thank you sir.
Jabu:  I guess we can start then. So tell me Ms Mbatha why did you apply for this job.
Yoh hai straight to it not even going to easy me into the interview I am literally shaking right now I swear I am about yo bust in tears. Guys why didn't you tell us that interview are this scary.  I the poor man has a relaxed friendly face I am just naturally inferior and knowing that I am being scrutinized makes is making it even more terrifying.
Me: I...I 
Jabu: breath and take a moment please have some water and no Ned to be nervous I don't bite  he says and hands me a bottles water.
I am shaking as I open it and take few sips. I close my eyes and keep playing a matra in my head... you can do this, remember you need this. Think as if you just talking to Sbu. I so wish I told him I know he would have called and motivated me and boosted my confidence as well.  I clear my thoughts.
Me: Um... well I applied because I really need a job. I do not have any work experience whatsoever in any field but I  am a fast learner, and a very tidy person .
Jabu: Look Miss Mbatha there are a lot of people who need a job. I can tell you very young probably fresh from high school so I do not expect you to have experience  however I want to know if you can be an assert. You understand that I will have to train you and use my resources for that right.
Me: yes sir I understand. I say looking down slightly defeated.
Jabu: Glad you do. So are you an assert?
Me: Sir I am a first year university student. When the new term resume I will be occupied  with my academic obligations. However I can be available for most weekends shifts and stand in here and there when I am needed. I can only work full time during school recess. I  desperately need this job but I need my degree even more.
Jabu: Good I can work with that the vacancy  is however temporary and because you can only work as temp. I will have have you be part of our relive staff so that we can squeeze  you in for shifts from time to time when the recess  is over. Any question?
Me: Thank you very much sir I am not sure I am hearing you clearly but does this mean I am hired?
Jabu: Yes the job is yours if you want it.
Me: Oh my God thank you... thank you so much I promise you won't regret.
Jabu: Good to hear. Let's go through your contract and your duties and also discuss your remuneration as well
Me: Yes sir ( I am literally shocked and excited at the same time. I am just overwhelmed)
Jabu: you comfortable with late shifts or day shifts he asked
Me: Day shift sir.
Jabu: Well then you will start tomorrow 8 am sharp  for briefing and your training. You will work from 8 am to 15:00 pm everyday including weekend for the during of your recess. Breakfast is served from 9am to 11 am and from 12  to 15:00 is lunch hours. We close from 16:00 and reopen at 18;00 for evening  shift. From Thursday to Sunday we close after midnight because of our bar.  And the rest of the week we close at 22:00. You will get R200 every day during your training week. And as of next week you will will get paid monthly like the rest of the staff. Your wage is R3 500 and you keep all the tips that you make for yourself.  The salary if because you on probation and also a temp but should you impress and we decided to keep you as our relieve  staff then we will revisit your payment. For now that is what I can offer you. We get generous consumers from time to time so if you have good customer care you can double that amount in a month's  time. So should I get your contract ready ?
Me: Yes sir. I appreciate this opportunity. 
Jabu: Good Miss Mbatha I guess this conclude our meeting. Go celebrate and be make sure you on time tomorrow. For now let me introduce you to our front lady.
We exit his office and head back to the bar counter.
Jabu: Hey Dudu he calls out to the lasy and she comes to us:
Dudu; sure boss
Jabu: This is Senzozakhe Mbatha she will be joining us as of tomorrow. Please get her size and contact so you can add her to the group tomorrow after the introduction.
Dudu: No problem. Hi Senzozakhe she greets
Me: Hi. You can call me Zee, Zakhe  in short.
Jabu says he farewell  and head back to his office leaving me with Dudu. She asks  for my size and numbers and says we will see each other tomorrow. Heading back to work because breakfast  is already being served and there few clients  already.
To say I am excited is an understatement. The restaurant  is a walking distance from my place so the I don't have to worry about transport money.

I take a local to the taxi rank so zi can head to Kepton park. Even if I don't get that one at least I am already sorted. By the time I get there it's 10:30.  I head in the premises and I tell the guard at the gate that I am here for an interview. He tells me where to get the managers office. It so bemusy and casting inside with truck loading and people going up and down.  Go to the a random person and ask where I can get the managers office and he kindly accompany an leave me by the door. I knock and I hear someone shout Com.ein from the inside.
I open the door  I am about to close it when the I am told to leave it open. I  am offered a seat.
Hi, how can I help you the white guy whom I am assuming is the manager asks.
Me: Hi my name is Senzozakhe Mbatha and I am here for my interview. I just arrived early and I was directed to your office.
Ok let me finish quickly wrap this order up and then we can continue. He says and continues with what he was doing on the screen.
Few minutes later he raises he face. Done he says.
My name is Malik and I am the dispatch 0pl manager. You are indeed early but let me check if my colleague is available and maybe you can get your interview early.
I nod understanding and he makes a call
About a minute a so a black male join us and he tells him I'm early for my interview and if the guy can spare few minutes. He joins him and they both seat inform of me.
Malik introduce the second panelist as David whom I presume is not South African because of his thick accent and his features.
They ask me few question a day I answer to the best of my ability. I am not as nervous and terrified  as I was at my earlier interview. I guess getting the job does that to a person. Soon enough the interview is over and Malik ask I forward my CV to his person email. And they promise to get back to me.

I buy myself a kota and can of coke just outside the warehouse premises. I have my appetite back and I guess I am indulging because I am now a working class. I opt to sit and eat there before heading back to my place. It now Ealy afternoon when I get to my place and I must say I am beat. I take a shower and then decide to sleep. I am out in no time.