A man on a mission led by kindness in Pretoria stands on city streets giving out free hugs so that people know they are not alone.
Pretoria, South Africa (21 August, 2023) — Where many are used to seeing people asking for help on city streets, one man is focused on the opposite. Lending a hand (or rather, two open arms), Siyanda Manga stands warmly at the ready to give free hugs to anyone who needs them.
The coach of hugs knows from personal experience how much a meaningful embrace can do.
Having experienced difficult family situations and even being without a home leaving him to rely solely on family and friends for a place to sleep at night, a simple moment reminded him that he wasn’t alone—yes, a hug!
Now in better circumstances as a fitness guru, Siyanda wanted to help other people who felt alone in their struggles by offering free hugs.
Accompanied by a sign that invites anyone who needs a hug to feel welcome, Siyanda and his free hugs have taken him all over Pretoria—from Menlyn to Soshanguve.
For him, the power of a hug is precious as a moment where a stranger can feel, even just for that brief period, that they aren’t alone, that they are loved, and the weight of whatever they’re carrying can be lifted.
People loved the coach of hugs in all his positivity, and before Siyanda knew it his little act had inspired a whole lot of kindness.
“When I decided to go out there and give people hugs I was not expecting this response and reaction which goes to show that we are all going through something so it doesn’t help to spread all this bad energy, it all makes things worse and not better. Instead, let’s love each other, encourage and support one another, it doesn’t cost a thing to be kind.”
“I just wanted to share with others who might be going through a tough time in their lives that no matter what you are going through, you can overcome it. Not all hope is lost, you’ve got what it takes, we are here for each other.”—Siyanda Manga.
@siyandamanga24In the world full of jealousy, violence, cruelty, hatred, envy, greed and all the negativity going on… What is the solution to all this madness and chaos? The answer for me is pretty simple, it’s LOVE. Genuine love, real love, true love that makes us perform an act of kindness because that is contagious. Showing alil bit of compassion to everybody we meet. Instead of trying to change others, we can change ourselves, we can change our hearts. Once we truly love we will meet ANGER with SYMPATHY, HATRED with COMPASSION and CRUELTY with KINDNESS. Love is a powerful weapon that we all can use and the love I’m talking about is within each of us..
So, what are you waiting for? Find someone you know or even a stranger who looks like they need one, make like Siyanda and get embracing!
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