A non-profit web application developed in Cape Town is not only helping mothers find jobs, but also the first third party booking service in the country that ensures their cleaners earn the full rate clients pay for their services.
The Cleaning Fix provides a sufficient stipend without cleaners losing out on third-party commission or transfer costs.
Unlike other online booking services, zero fees are chipped off cleaners’ income from their half or full day assignments and clients can even contribute towards their travel costs.
Founder Joshua Cox from Muizenberg says The Cleaning Fix is an attempt to shift the thinking around payment models for lower-income workers and help secure cleaners with a more sustainable income while they cover daily living expenses such as travel, childcare, food, and work attire that often go unseen by the client.
“Our cleaners deserve a living wage where we’re not taking any commission,” says Cox.
“All our cleaners are mothers, and we understand how much additional expenses such as childcare can cost. When they receive 100 percent of their payment, we hope it can help cover these extras and free them up for more work opportunities.”
Putting mothers first
Faith Kachinga, a single mother of two from Goodwood and a Cleaning Fix “Home Hero”, says she didn’t expect to receive as much as she does per cleaning session. “Being used to so many expenses deducted from payments, it’s refreshing to be able to have enough left to treat my kids to more than just the necessities,” she says.
Faith, who is fluent in English and Shona, grew up in Zimbabwe and has been doing domestic work for three years. “Since relocating to South Africa, I wasn’t confident about finding work that would be sufficient for my family. The Cleaning Fix has been a solution from the start,” she says.
Another “Home Hero” Jesca Svodziwa from Kuils River says while it’s her first time working for an online booking platform she has heard from many others working for similar services that they get out much less than what they expect in the first place.
“The fact that The Cleaning Fix also asks for clients for an optional travel contribution, is such a nice add-on for us to look forward to.
“The team provides training as well so you don’t feel alone in your new venture,” says Svodziwa a single mother of one.
Another single mother Patricia Mutizwa from Dunoon says knowing she’ll get out what she puts in as well as a possible fuel stipend directly from the client, is very new to her but reassuring.
“I am the only provider for myself and my children.
“The team from The Cleaning Fix is very supportive and often check-in with me to see how I am doing – also a first! They put mothers first and I’ve experienced their care first-hand.”
Mutizwa adds that the web app is a platform they’re all learning from. “I look forward to seeing how its future will turn out to be. I hope to be part of their growth for a long time.”
The web app is a division of the Fix Forward Trust which supports grassroots entrepreneurs, contractors, and domestic workers. The Trust was started by Cox, who also established Fix Forward, a similar booking service to The Cleaning Fix focusing on independent contractors.
Before Cox started The Cleaning Fix, his team launched a campaign called “Mothers in Need”, a fundraising initiative that provided young mothers who were undocumented migrants and asylum seekers with monthly grocery vouchers.
“We wanted to provide them with extended support and help ease the challenges of providing for a family consistently and with the bare minimum,” says Cox. More than R750 000 was raised to support 300 families for a half year.
Mothers in Need was the start of a more sustainable level of support for mothers and helped shape The Cleaning Fix.
Booking a ‘Home Hero’
Simplicity is at the crux of The Cleaning Fix’s booking model, says Cox. In just five easy steps you can book a “Home Hero” at a half day rate of R250 or R350 for a full day with the added option to also contribute towards their travel costs.
Cox says they wanted to be sensible and fair in setting up the fee structure considering cleaners’ travel requirements and time sensitivity.
“For the cleaner, it’s not just about doing the work in a half or full day. It means taking up a day where she can’t work anywhere else, be it in these two time frames.”
The Cleaning Fix vets all their cleaners by doing criminal background checks, experience reviews, and interviews.
Cleaners’ preferences, such as being comfortable working around pets, and their travel distances, are also considered.
The online booking service is available in the greater Cape Town region and set to expand nationally over the next 24 months.
The cleaning fix is looking to recruit more mothers in the Cape to become home heroes. Call 061 920 4261 or email info@fixforward.com if you are interested. V To book a Home Hero visit www.thecleaningfix.co.za. Also follow @thecleaningfix on Instagram and Facebook.
