Samuel Mogadi, a petrol attendant in Joburg, uses his cell phone to show that little things can make a big difference in someone’s life!
Johannesburg, South Africa (08 August 2015) – Samuel Mogadi works as a petrol attendant at the BP garage in Hyde Park, which is relatively well-known for its chalkboard with daily inspirational messages.
The BP petrol station on Jan Smuts Avenue has become a landmark in Johannesburg, and whether locals are stopping by for fuel, a bite to eat or a quick coffee… everyone passing by gets a daily dose of inspiration from the petrol pump message board!
While filling up Aimee Girdwood’s car, they started chatting about the messages and Aimee mentioned that she wished she drove this route more often just to get a glimpse of them.
Samuel offered to Whatsapp her the message each day and in the time since they met, he has not skipped one.
“How lovely is that? He doesn’t know me from a bar of soap! I have already received a message for every day that has passed since we met,” Aimee said.
“Even if he were never to send me another message, I find this act of generosity and kindness astounding. Something truly wonderful about living in Joburg and calling it home.”
This couldn’t have come at a better time. Aimee was the victim of an armed robbery at her home and found herself uncertain about calling South Africa home. After meeting Samuel, her entire perception of the country has changed and she now even blogs about it. The first message he sent was “wherever you are, be all there.”
“I have started to focus on the positives about living in Johannesburg on the blog that I write as a master’s student at the University of Cambridge.”
“I have received incredible feedback about this very kind man, and I think it would be most fitting to honour someone who, with an act of pure and selfless generosity, has made such a difference to my, and my friends and collegaues, way of thinking about South Africa.”
“Samuel is my Lead SA hero.”
Samuel has been chosen as the Lead SA hero for July and our South Africa-CAN inspiration for today!
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A true South African hero. Thank you Aimee for recognising Samuel Mogadi for being so incredible