Grateful South Africans Raise Half a Million for Kind Petrol Attendant

When a kind petrol attendant – Nkosikho – filled up a customer’s car with petrol, using his own money because she had forgotten her purse, he not only helped her out… but filled her heart with hope for South Africa. And by Monet van Deventer sharing the story, hope has swept the land for how South Africa could be; and grateful South Africans across the nation have donated well over a quarter of a million rand into a fundraiser for  the thoughtful petrol attendant. UPDATE Fri 7 June: Donations currently stand at over half a million rand!

Some people have questioned the precedent being set here – of ‘professionalising’ and rewarding kindness, when the act in itself should be the reward and a simple ‘thank you’ suffice. But Nkosikho’s simple act of kindness symbolises so much more for a South Africa where the majority of people are desperate for a united rainbow nation, and most have celebrated the good fortune that Nkosikho is experiencing.

“Hope he gets to get the money, without conditions. He gave without condition, so equally should he receive without condition. A fine example of how we all should be,” said SAPeople follower Peter Hofmeyr. “This story gives hope for our future,” said Ilse Janse van Rensburg.

Belinda Border said: “Such a good story it brought tears of joy to my eyes for both. Parents always worry about their children, and thank you to kind people like this wonderful man ❤️” Ami Amorette added: “May more people be inspired by this collaboration, mutual respect, open communication and understanding.”

Lyn Waller said: “If you believe in a positive future for South Africa and want it enough it will happen. We as humans tend to hold grudges and hatred in our hearts instead of letting go of the past and letting this amazing story happen more and more in our country and things will change for the better. WE need to be that CHANGE. Let’s not wait for the next man to do it, let the next good deed come from you whoever reads this comment.”

As reported first by SAPeople on Thursday, Monet realised – during an early morning trip to Cape Town – that she’d forgotten her purse at home, and told him she unfortunately couldn’t fill up her tank, after he’d cleaned her windows..

His response was incredible: “Ma’am you can’t run out of petrol on the N2. I’ll throw in R100 and then you can just bring back my R100 whenever you are near again.”

He didn’t even ask for Monet’s name or number! Instead he only told her that she must drive safely.

When she returned to give him back the money, Monet asked him how come he had helped her and how did he trust that she would bring the money back?

His answer was simple:

“Ma’am I am a believer.”

In Monet’s post – which went viral on social media – she thanked him and said “Mag Jesus jou lewe bless!” (May Jesus bless your life.)

His life has truly been blessed since, with the help of Monet who posted the story on South Africa’s crowdfunding platform BackaBuddy. She said:

Since Nkosikho saved my life I would love to do something in return for him.  His 2 children, mom and brother live with him in Khayelitsha and he will really benefit from any donations.

Nkosikho also informed me that he will love to do charity work and help children on the streets. I am hoping to raise the funds by 30 June 2019.

Her target was R100,000. But by 09h25 on Sunday 2 June, grateful South Africans had donated over a quarter of a million rand – R 270,265.10. UPDATE: As of Friday 7 June that figure had risen to over R500,400.

The funds raised will be used for Nkosikho’s family who live with him in Khayelitsha (his two children, brother and mother), for him to study to become a Boilermaker, and for Nkosikho to do charity work and help children on the streets.

As Monet says: “Nkosikho can inspire others to also make a difference by being friendly and polite to others…”

#InspiringSouthAfricans #ThankYouMonet #ThankYouNkosikho #ThankYouSA

If you’d like to donate, please visit BackaBuddy here.