Innocent Kasanhai was just trying to get himself and the stock he needed for work home when striking taxis took everything from him; his community is raising funds to get it all back!
Cape Town, South Africa (10 August 2023) – Despite the comments that the taxi strike is for the people, violence is continuously aimed at the people; men and women are being left injured, robbed and without their hard-earned livelihoods due to thuggery and opportunistic crime. Stories are immerging in the chaos and anger, however, these are stories of hope and unity in spite of the violence.
Karoline Hanks, the founder of Project Noordhoeked, took to the project’s Facebook group to share her utter outrage and seek help for one of her regular artists, Innocent Kasanhai. The father of two had made the trip to town, to purchase supplies for his trade, namely wire and beads. His car was filled with this new stock, as was his wallet, which contained the funds he needed for school fees.
Innocent was pulled over by protestors and unceremoniously removed from his car. He stood by helplessly, as thugs pulled out his hard-earned stock, destroying containers of beads and setting the car alight. Innocent was also removed of his wallet and other valuables and left standing in the smoke as the glass beads glittered in the dancing flames.
At a loss… That is how he felt in that moment. Karoline refused to let this be! She shared his story and before long, funds were donated from several donors to restock Innocent’s supplies and various donors sent through the funds to cover the school fees too. Within less than 24 hours, a total of R10,000 was raised to cover his loss.
Continued outpouring support has pushed the Project Noordhoeked team to set up a crowdfund for Innocent, so he can replace his car too.
“This is Innocent Kasanhai. A kinder, bigger-hearted human you will not find. A bear of a man. And a talented one at that. He crafts beautiful wire and beaded animals which he sells at the water’s edge in Simonstown. His work sits in homes all over the world – tourists love his wild safari creatures, sense of fun and colour.
Yesterday he was a victim of a grotesque act of thuggery. He had just purchased R4000 worth of beads and wire to make more crafts, and he had R1600 cash in his wallet to pay his kid’s school fees.
He was on his way home when confronted by a convoy of taxi drivers. They intimidated him, shot at him and threw stones through the passenger side window. When he exited the vehicle. they frisked him, stole his wallet and phone before he ran away…..they then torched his car.
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He is a good friend of our project, and we will be assisting him regardless. Please join us.”
The next goal is to raise R50,000 to help Innocent get a new car. If you would like to support him, please do so here.
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