If there’s one thing we need more of in this world today, it would definitely be kindness. A close second is probably delicious cake.
Social activist Nerine Gardiner combines the two, and has come to be known around the world simply as Girl with Cake.
Amidst all the chaos across South Africa and the world in the last few months – economic crises, devastating weather phenomena and more hate speech than anyone can stomach, Gardiner has been grappling with a question: what exactly is one moment of one day for one person going to mean in the grand scheme of things?
“I guess a lot of people have asked themselves some form of the same question – “what good is my contribution when the world needs so much more than I can give?” Well, here’s what I’ve realised once again: no one person can solve all the world’s problems alone. We have no choice but to do it together.”
“Which means that the little bits we can give are always worth giving. Because, in the end, it’s all those little bits that will will snowball into something bigger. Our collective attitudes and actions determine the world we live in… and that’s why it’s worth making them positive and encouraging others to do the same.”
So, while Gardiner has bigger goals for Girl With Cake in 2017 – ones that will reach a little further and have a longer lasting effect – she still wholeheartedly believe that small things matter: conversations, kindness, care – things that, to some, may seem silly or worthless, like giving a cake to a man standing at at an intersection.
“My parents thought it wise to name me after a mermaid.” I said to the man seated on the cold pavement in front of me. He let out a raspy laugh. “Mine is strong…” he said, “…in the Bible, he broke the chains.”
He lifted his arms into the air and pulled the imaginary chains from his arms. Samson. His name is Samson.
Samson had been sitting at a quiet intersection in Sandton. He was clutching a white cardboard sign that asked for help, a job, something to eat, change.
“It’s Sunday,” I said, “And it’s cold and I just thought maybe I could do something for you.” I had slung a Blessings Bag over my shoulder, clutched a gift bag in my hand and held the cake covered in Lindt ganache and Lindor balls in front of me.
Samson’s face crinkled in confusion. So Gardiner hunched down beside him and handed him the cake.
“I hope you like chocolate.” His crinkles unfolded into a smile as he took hold of the cake, leaning forward and kissing the Lindor chocolates on top. “I guess that means yes, I thought.”
As she handed him the gift bag, his face broke into a wrinkled laugh and he started pulling out its contents – the warm hoody, the leather shoes and then the new pack of underpants.
“Ha!” His laugh exploded.
Gardiner could feel a bit of embarrassment flush her cheeks – it’s not every day that you give underpants to strange men, but she had been wondering all week where on earth you get underpants when you’re living on the street.
So there they were.
She pushed her embarrassment aside, pulling the Blessings Bag off her shoulder. Samson’s mouth fell open as he began digging through the bag, stopping on the soap,
“Toiletries!”
A moment later, Samson clutched his forehead between his hands and shook his head…
“Ohhhh, God bless you, God bless you…”
“And you, Samson.”
They sat together and spoke for a while longer. About the cold. About their families. About living in Johannesburg. About looking out for each other.
“Because if we didn’t, who would?”
“Because these things – these little things we do – can add up to a world where the norm is caring and helping and actively contributing.”
They can… and they will.
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