A dad that lost his job during COVID-19 lockdown started standing on the roadside with funny signs to collect money; one man decided to stop and learn his story.
Cape Town, South Africa (06 October 2020) – COVID-19 has left many without an income and having to scramble to make ends meet. People have said the only way to cope through it all is to adapt and that is exactly what Lusindiso Malgas did when he found himself unemployed and having to support three children.
The 27-year-old dad living in Dunoon, originally from Sterkstroom in the Eastern Cape, took to the streets to earn an income. Armed with a cardboard box and pen, he thought about what to write on his sign that would help people understand his story.
Lusindiso decided to ditch the sob story and went for a comedic approach instead. He started writing funny messages on his signs and found that they were successful. Every morning he stood in the busy traffic with his sign, making people around him smile.
With signs like “Need petrol money 4 Porche”, “Let’s do lunch, you buy” and “Why a lie, need money for cold beer”, he was quickly able to make enough to support himself but his children, who currently stay with his parents, were missing dad!
“When I lost my job, I was like what am I going to do? How am I going to survive? All I know is how to make people laugh and how to talk to people. I had no choice but to work and put food on the table” says Lusindiso
Brendan Cottle noticed Lusindiso on his daily commute and decided to get to know him. He learned that Lusindiso was one of the many faces behind the job losses felt across the country. Brendan became inspired by his tenacity to earn and income and launched a crowdfund to help Lusindiso.
“Seeing Lusindiso’s smile brightened up my morning commute and I know the same can be said for many others. I am a very optimistic and positive person and when I saw Lu’s smile and happiness to do what he was doing, made me think about his and the situation of others, especially during the country lockdown. I hope with this campaign, Lusindiso’s story can reach more people and that his positivity can circle the globe.” – says Brendan
Brendan is raising funds for a small home for Lusindiso. At least with a roof over his head, the children will be able to come back and live with him again. Brendan is raising R250,000 towards a new home for Lusindiso. If you would like to support his cause, you can donate here.
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Donations will be transferred directly to relevant suppliers, at Lusindiso’s request, to ensure funds are used for their intended purpose.
With additional funds, Brendon hopes to help Lusindiso launch a t-shirt business to help him get back on his feet and support his family going forward.
“I would like to thank the Capetonians, as well as people across the country and overseas who have helped me and understood my situation. Those are the good people. I don’t know how I survived. But I did. God is great!”
Take a look at some of his signs below. He even started an Instagram account as a way to inspire people who don’t get to see him every day.
View this post on Instagram
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