Grant Zoghby and Bridget Nortje are rallying their community to help support Gift in expanding his garden business after he innovated a way to be the best.
Bryanston, South Africa (07 November 2022) – Gift Zingora is a fantastic gardener who takes his job seriously. He has worked on his standard bicycle, turning it into an essential garden tool kit and transport system. Seeing his handy work, Grant Zoghby stopped him to chat about what Gift does. Grant was so moved by their conversation, he started a crowdfund to get Gift’s dream off the ground.
“Today while driving home I noticed the lovely smile on “Gifts” face while peddling his makeshift bakkie/bicycle – I decided to stop and chat to him. He was so happy to chat and I asked him about his business and where he is from. Gift is a professional gardener born in 1962 (yes 60 years old with those big muscles) who left his home in 2010 to make a better life for himself and his family. He loves gardens and plants and currently drives his makeshift bicycle/bakkie to and from his clients. He takes all his gardening tool’s along with him including a lawnmower, a blower, brooms, rake etc all in his bike and he goes to his clients houses and services their gardens.”
Gift hopes to become a serious garden service provider who can work in two to three gardens a day. At the moment, he only manages one garden a day, as he has to cycle to each client. To make his dream a reality, he needs a bakkie and a team.
Grant asked him about the safety of riding his bicycle at night or in the rain. Gift doesn’t even have a helmet to make sure his head is protected. Unfortunately, it was too much of an expense. He does have a small light in the bicycle however, it doesn’t light up much.
“Everyday Gift cycles from Bryanston to his clients ranging all the way to Northcliff, Linden etc works a full day in the garden and then cycles back home again carrying and carting all his tools with him. What amazed me is the BIGGEST smile he had after a long days work!!
This is an inspiration for us all and Gift reminded me that no matter how hard ones day can be – To smile through it will make it better!”
Initially, Grant launched the crowdfund in the hope of getting Gift a new helmet and a better light for his bike, but due to the sheer generosity of the community, there is more money to work towards making Gift’s dream a reality.
Grant was aided by Bridget Nortje in coming up with a few ideas on how best to support Gift. They never imagined the crowdfund would take off and do so well. So far they have raised over R20,000 for Gift.
“I don’t think either of us could have expected to receive the response that we have from the community at large. South African’s truly are so remarkable and the most wonderful at rallying together for the greater good!
We met with Gift yesterday evening, he cycled on his trusty bike to meet us and discuss his situation and come up with a plan for how best we can help him.
We’re not certain what amount we’re going to raise, but we’re taking each step as it comes to make a difference in Gift’s life.” – Bridget Nortje
With the money raised, they have all agreed that Gift could use a new, reliable phone to make it easier to connect with clients. They also plan to purchase safety equipment such as new gum boots for his garden work and safety upgrades for his bicycle so he can be safe on the road.
The next step will be to secure the additional funds raised where they can earn interest which can then enable Gift to purchase a secondhand bakkie or perhaps even a TukTuk which will make his travels far more efficient.
They are really excited about all the opportunities for Gift and his future. You can join in by checking out the crowdfund on BackaBuddy here.
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