South African Restaurant Manager Saved Child’s Life

A Johannesburg restaurant manager, who saved the life of a customer’s young son, has been publicly heralded for her quick action and extreme calmness in a situation that could have had a tragic ending.

Lone Wolf Spur Steak Ranch owner Chris Marks posted a photo with the Gauteng restaurant’s store manager Nelly Malinga, and said he would like to publicly recognise Nelly after she received a letter of gratitude from the customer.

”We are so proud of her!?” said Spur.

In the letter, the customer expressed the “gratitude in my heart for the care that was extended to my son when he took ill”.

The incident happened at the Lone Wolf Spur on Wednesday evening of 28 November 2018 at around 19h00.

The customer was a regular – the Spur’s close to his home, they like the “vibe” and his 8-year-old son enjoys the play area.

On this particular evening, the unnamed customer was with his bible study group, and his son (so eight adults and one child)… and there was nothing out of the ordinary… until his son came back saying he couldn’t breathe.

“Initially, we thought he was choking on something but we hadn’t eaten anything,” wrote the customer. “As we tried to help him, our actions caught the sharp eye of Nelly…”

It turned out the problem was serious. “My son was actually experiencing an asthma attack for the first time in his life. Since I never experienced him getting sick this way, I was confused and not understanding how to deal with it.

“You can imagine the commotion. She calmed the situation and administered CPR on him after my trying mouth to mouth would not work.

“He started breathing again and two gentlemen I believe were doctors and patrons at the restaurant also came to assist when they saw what was happening.

“Nelly saved my son’s life and at the same time managed to keep everyone including some onlookers calm.

“She remained calm, professional and advised us to take him to ER at Wilgehuiwel hospital even after he started breathing on his own.”

The customer’s son is now on chronic asthma medication after the hospital determined he had suffered from an asthma attack.

“He was placed on oxygen and monitored for a few hours before he was discharged. Without the first aid interventions of Ms Nelly, we could very well be telling a different story today.

“A big THANK YOU to her and I would like you as her employers to pass on our thanks and congratulate her on great job well done. God bless you all.”

The letter, which is going viral, has led to many South Africans not only congratulating Nelly, but pointing out how important it should be that all restaurant staff receive basic first aid lessons.

Thank you Nelly! South African hero!!!

https://www.facebook.com/LoneWolfSpur/photos/a.642324909173125/2373719642700301/?type=3&theater