This is a South African story, a truly South African story—one of hope, one of belief and trust in your fellow man. This is the South Africa I pray for. One where it takes leaps of faith and working together to achieve spectacular results.
Johannesburg, South Africa (19 July 2020) – Carmen Whelan D’Arcy, a Johannesburg resident, shared an inspirational story about finding hope in the lockdown.
Her family suffered a huge financial knock because of the lockdown, but her fiancé – Dylan Middleditch – not only managed to create a solution to their finances… but also created jobs for other South Africans!
Read the incredibly inspirational story below:
Finding hope in the lockdown! How a family used ingenuity to weather the storm and create jobs for other South Africans!
I have this overwhelming urge to tell you a story; not just any story but my fiancé’s story.
Lockdown hit us hard, not nearly as hard as it hit most South African families, but we (a family of 5 – two adults and three children – and three furbabies) were left with no income for May and only half of my fiancé’s salary for June and July. I run my own business (a swimming school) from home. My fiancé, Dylan, works for his parents.
We went into May, June and July with not only half his salary but also having to make a plan to cover medical aid, which used to be paid for by the company BUT that is not why I am writing this.
Financial worries were at the forefront of our minds during Lockdown; understandably so. I went into “Nurture Mode” and cooked and baked and looked after our children ensuring that their needs were met.
Dylan went into Caveman mode and went out to make a plan.
You see he is an avid gym-goer/crossfitter and with gyms closed, we were unable to train.
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Dylan loves a good squat and bench press session, but for these movements, you almost always need a rack. So he researched and found a guy to make a ‘rig’ for us at home. He then went on to advertise the rig on Facebook and started getting some orders and some inquiries.
BUT that still isn’t why I am writing.
Dylan found a steelworker in Thembisa, who was able to make the gym racks and benches. He then found a local upholsterer here in Eastleigh to upholster the benches. Not once did Dylan haggle a price with them or try and slit their throats. The steelwork and the upholstery were these mens’ livelihoods.
The gym equipment has sold like hotcakes and has carried us through the periods of financial woes. Not only did it carry us through, but it also helped the ‘manufacturers’.
One day, a few weeks back, Dylan came home from collecting stock in Thembisa, and he said his heart was so full and happy.
With all the work that he had given the steelworker, he had to employ a few youths in the community to help him. In turn, he taught some of these youths to weld and make some of these gym products.
Not only was he able to provide a bit of an income for these youths, but he also kitted them out with overalls and safety boots.
BUT that isn’t the best part.
Tonight Sibu, the steelworker, arrived at our home to drop off gym benches and he proudly tells Dylan that he is looking at buying a bakkie! His first car ever.
Dylan is so chuffed, walking around with his chest puffed out! And rightly so!
This is a South African Story, a truly South African Story—one of hope, one of belief and trust in your fellow man. This is the South Africa I pray for. One where it takes leaps of faith and working together to achieve spectacular results.
I go to bed tonight with a full heart!
by 
Please can you give the contact details for the equipment? We have been looking for home gym equipment and all the major retailers are sold out! Thanks so much
I would love to order some home gym equipment. How can I contact them?
Hi,
Please may I have contact details to place an order.
Thank you.