Petrol attendant's act of generosity leaves Mzansi hopeful
Kindness comes in all shapes and forms, but its power is colossal...
Offering a kind gesture to a stranger comes with some hesitation. These days, many people are wary of being kind because it can be taken the wrong way, or worse, it can end in a scam or unnecessary heartache.
However, South Africans have a way of spreading love in surprising ways.
A story about a father stuck without petrol in Johannesburg has spread hope and joy amongst Mzansi this weekend. Justin Roderick, shared his story on the Love Fourways Facebook Group. He admitted that he and his family had been experiencing some tough times after a failed investment.
A moment of hardship left him feeling broken, humbled and hopeful.
This morning, something happened that broke me, humbled me, and gave me hope, all at once. Our family has been walking through one of the toughest financial seasons of our lives. Every cent, every drop of petrol put in with pray and hope that it will keep the wheels turning. It was survival, one day at a time.
Roderick was taking his daughters to school when his car ran out of petrol, and they were stuck on the side of a busy road during peak-hour traffic. As parents, we can only imagine the shattered feelings he must've felt when this happened.
His girls began crying, especially the eldest, who is 11-year-old and was looking forward to her school trip that day. Roderick's heart sank when she turned to him and offered him the R20 he had given her for her school trip. They walked to the closest petrol station and found a petrol attendant.
"I approached the first petrol attendant I saw. I held out the R20 in coins and asked if he could please help me get a little bottle filled… just enough to get my girls to school 2km away," reports Good Things Guy.
It was at this very moment that Roderick's faith was restored. Another petrol attendant helped him, but when Roderick handed over the R20 in coins, the attendant refused and pointed to the first petrol attendant. He said that he would pay for Roderick's petrol.
"Justin was fighting back tears. His daughters were watching. And this man, who probably earns just enough to make it through his days, gave without hesitation. And then, as they were running back to the car, something even more unexpected happened," reports the website.
The petrol attendant slipped Roderick a R100, leaving him overcome with gratitude.
The hero who didn't ask for praise, nor seek celebration, is Warren Bhebhe, an attendant at Shell Bryanston Convenience Centre on Winnie Mandela Drive in Johannesburg.
No words. No attention. No pride. He didn’t hold it out for all to see. Just quiet, sacrificial kindness from someone who likely doesn’t have much himself. He didn’t just bless me with petrol. He gave me hope. He didn’t just get my car going. He helped carry my heart this morning. As much as I didn’t want anyone to know about my situation… I’m choosing to put my pride and ego aside to share this. Because what this man did for me… deserves to be seen. It deserves to be honoured.
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