A petrol attendant’s selfless act of paying for a stranger’s fuel, despite her forgetting her purse, sparks a wave of generosity and restores faith in the kindness of South Africans.
Cape Town, South Africa (31 May 2019) – In a world where headlines are often dominated by negativity and despair, it’s refreshing to come across stories that remind us of the innate goodness within humanity.
Such is the story of Nkosikho Mbele, a petrol pump attendant whose simple act of kindness has warmed the hearts of South Africans and beyond.
It all unfolded on a regular day at a Shell garage on the outskirts of Cape Town when 28-year-old Nkosikho Mbele crossed paths with Monet van Deventer, a 21-year-old account manager en route to her destination. Little did they know, this encounter would spark a chain reaction of positivity and restore faith in the kindness of strangers.
Monet found herself in a predicament familiar to many of us – the sinking feeling of realising she had forgotten her purse, her lifeline to financial transactions, at home. As she frantically searched for her bank card, Nkosikho, ever the attentive attendant, approached to offer his assistance.
Little did Monet know this moment would become a beacon of hope and unity for an entire nation.
In her own words, Monet shared the encounter on social media, recounting how Nkosikho’s unwavering kindness turned her day around. “Without even being able to answer, he started to fill my car with R100 petrol, and he paid with his own card,” she wrote.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, Nkosikho’s selfless gesture served as a reminder of the power of compassion and the beauty of human connection.
But Nkosikho’s act of goodwill didn’t end there. When Monet returned later to repay him, she couldn’t help but inquire about what motivated him to help a stranger in need.
His response was simple yet profound: “Ma’am, I am a believer!”
These words encapsulate the essence of his actions – driven not by personal gain, but by a genuine belief in the goodness of humanity.
Monet’s heartfelt post soon went viral, capturing the attention and admiration of people from all walks of life. Inspired by Nkosikho’s exemplary display of kindness, a BackaBuddy fund was created, with over R500,000 raised to support him. This outpouring of generosity not only speaks to Nkosikho’s impact on individuals but also highlights the collective desire for positivity and unity within South Africa. In a further testament to his character, Shell, the company he represents, decided to pay Nkosikho’s good deed forward by donating an additional R500,000 to a charity of his choice.
Moreover, he was nominated for the Shell Service Awards 2020, where he proudly represented South Africa on the global stage.
Reflecting on the whirlwind of events that followed his act of kindness, Nkosikho humbly remarked, “I was just doing what anyone else would have done, from the heart.”
His words serve as a poignant reminder that goodness knows no bounds and transcends barriers of race, class, and creed.
This is what humanity is about; this is the real South Africa.
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