The Cool Bananas Bakkie is many things; an ambulance, a lift club for children and an all-round community essential, but it isn’t very functional any more.
Wild Coast, South Africa (29 May 2020) – Car troubles are a nightmare for anyone, but when you live in rural South Africa, and there is only one car to service an entire community, car troubles can be downright terrifying!
There is a man that lives in Tshani Village near the Mdumbi River on the Wild Coast and uses his bakkie to help the community. It is one of the most beautiful and undisturbed parts of South Africa, but it is also very rural with incredibly limited resources. The man has asked to remain anonymous but he lives in the village to make a difference. He helps the community as much as he can.
Previously on Good Things Guy, we featured how the bakkie was used to take the children in the community to the school. The man does this, so they don’t have to walk the 20kms to get an education. The walk is exhausting and adversely affects their learning ability.
The bakkie is so much more to the community than just a set of wheels. It has been used in several emergencies to get people to the hospital; in one case, it was the hospital as a woman gave birth in the back. It is used to round up dogs who need to be sterilised, and it is available whenever needed. It is their only connection to the world outside the village.
Sadly the bakkie is at the end of its days, so a fundraiser was launched on Facebook to buy a brand new one for the community. The goal is to raise R100k, and already it is halfway there! If you would like to support their cause, you can do so here. Also, keep an eye on their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on life in the small village. The Cool Bananas Bakkie keeps supporters updated on life and the changes they make, so stay tuned!