A friendly car guard named Patrick became a hero when he acted on his instincts to help a woman from a frightening encounter in a parking lot.
Waterfall, South Africa (10 September 2025) – When a woman found herself in a scary situation while sitting alone in her car outside a popular Waterfall mall, help came from a kind car guard who quickly noticed she was unsettled and bravely took matters into his own hands.
Sharing her experience anonymously on the I Love the Upper Highway community Facebook group, the woman opened up about the wave of anxiety that overcame her when an unknown man approached her parked vehicle.
“A man approached my window and started telling me he was from Molweni and that he needed a new battery for his phone. I had a terrible feeling in my gut, which is normally quite accurate, and just felt fear.”
She went on to explain that while she was still processing what was happening, the man’s friend walked towards the passenger side of her car and looked into her window.
It was during that moment of internal panic that help came from a vigilant car guard.
“A car guard called Patrick obviously saw what was going on and came to my window and spoke in their language, and the man and his friend then walked away.”
Grateful to Patrick’s intervention and for saving her from a potentially traumatic outcome, the woman thanked the honest car guard and gave him a heartfelt shout-out on the group.
“Please, if you can, give Patrick some love. He is on the upstairs level [Watercrest Mall], by the Woollies entrance. I felt like he really, really just helped a girl out who was afraid. He is so lovely,” she said.
The woman’s post brought Patrick’s selflessness to light, prompting an outpouring of gratitude and praise from others who have also been touched by his kindness and dedication towards guarding not only cars but also motorists and shoppers, too.
“He is amazing. As he sees my car, he brings me a trolley as I have a sore knee,” a Gillian Hall commented on the post.
While Sherryl Harding-Klusener also praised Patrick’s character, saying:
“Patrick is just the sweetest, most polite gentleman. Such a great asset to Watercrest Mall.”
For going above and beyond and doing it with a smile and humility, we honour and thank Patrick for his impactful and humble service.
Sources: I Love the Upper Highway
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 
Thank you for this wonderful article and many others you did on car guards here in South Africa. I shared it on my Facebook page and wrote this:
Well done and kudos to all the car guards out there who are doing their best to take care of their ‘customers’ as my son also calls the motorists, and yes, I am not ashamed to say that my eldest son is a car guard in Margate. Although he has his E-C Security Guard qualification and is PSiRA registered, he can not find a permanent job here in Margate in Security. I know I am proud of him for doing his best, having to put up with motorists and people looking down on him, people who are rude and thankless and even then he stays positive and are grateful for those motorists who makes him feel good about himself and are thankful because he takes care of their vehicles when they have to go shopping and even though none of them get a salary and have to depend on tips from the customers, they are always smiling and always ready to help where needed.
Being a car guard is not the same as it used to be. Nowadays you have to have a Grade E certificate and be registered at PSiRA to be able to be a car guard. Grade E is the entry-level certification for security officers, primarily responsible for basic duties like patrolling, guarding, and controlling access points under supervision. Today, car guards in South Africa are legally considered a part of the private security sector and fall under the purview of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). Those who are registered at PSiRA and have their security grades are not beggars or ‘druggies’ as most people see them. It’s a job just like any other, with the only difference that they don’t get paid a salary and they must pay daily ‘ramp fees’ to agents or companies in exchange for the “privilege” of working at a specific location and collecting tips from motorists.
In a 2019 research report done by Mr Hloniphani XULU he calls them “Guardians of the Chariots”. Now isn’t that a lovely description for these hard-working folks? Definitely not an easy job and hopefully one day they will get the recognition they deserve. 🙏🤗💖 https://www.psira.co.za/dmdocuments/research/PSIRA%20Car%20Guards_d8_updated.pdf
Also, thank you for your wonderful articles and the great work you are doing as well. I love your articles. You are greatly appreciated. 🙏🤗💖