A Pick ‘n Pay grocery store became the site of heartwarming compassion when a cashier went out of her way to help an elderly woman at her till, proving that the spirit of Ubuntu is still very much alive in our everyday moments.
Benoni, South Africa (07 January 2025) – One of the best things about the spirit of ubuntu is that it can happen just about anywhere. In schools, doctors’ rooms, the side of a busy road or as in this particular story, at a Pick ‘n Pay shopping till.
Yesterday, while shopping at the Lakefield store in Benoni, Robyn Blackbeard Van Schalkwyk was moved to the core when she noticed a cashier named Helen going out of her way to help an elderly lady trying to unload items from her trolley.
Helen got another employee to help at the till while she helped the senior empty her trolley, referring to her with the endearing term ‘Nanna’.
“Her [Helen’s] kindness just shone through her. It was pure kindness and respect for the elderly,” shares Robyn in a post.
Helen further had a gentleman help ‘Nanna’ with her trolley after paying and told her, with warmth and compassion, not to worry about pushing it.
“We’ve got you, you just let us do it,” Robyn wrote, quoting the cashier.
Moved by the cashier and the rest of the staff’s compassion, Robyn expressed her heartfelt gratitude to them.
“To this store, thank you for having such an amazing front-end employee who, with graciousness, showed kindness to an elderly lady. If ‘Nanna’ has any family and sees this, know she was treated with dignity and compassion at this particular store.”
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“Helen, thank you for being so undeniably you. You have restored some of my faith in humanity with just one act of kindness.”
Shoppers may often come to her till needing just a simple service before they go on with their day, but this touching moment shows how Helen doesn’t just show up for work to do a job, but honours it with heart. A heart for people who may need a little more attention, patience, kindness, and a helping hand to get through a grocery run.
Helen, and all who took a moment to show kindness during a busy shift – thank you for showing ubuntu and making your corner of the world a better place.
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