A man who has been described as a hero by many including the country’s number one citizen, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has informed the president of his wish list.
Vincent Khosa (36) whose video had gone viral on social media after he saved 11-year-old Mpilo Ngubane from being washed away by the flooding Jukskei River on the 9 March this year said he did not want money as a reward for saving the child. Apparently, Mpilo and other children were playing in the Jukskei River when it suddenly flooded due to heavy rain.
Khosa said if authorities wanted to reward him for the good deed they should not give him money but rather give him a job, citizenship and a house.
“I don’t want money because it will finish [sic] and I will go back to square one again,” he said.
“I told the president when we had a conversation over the phone earlier this week. What I want is citizenship, a proper place to stay and a job to support my children.
“I’ve been living in a shack here in Stjwetla for more than 10 years now. I didn’t do what I did to be famous or become an overnight celebrity. I just saw a future president, a doctor or lawyer in danger and in urgent need of someone to save him. Everyone was just watching as the child pleaded for help and no one would risk his life to save him and I decided to risk mine.”
Khosa who is the father of two arrived in South Africa from Mozambique in 2005 to look for a better life for his family. He told Alex News that he had not seen Mpilo or his parents since the day of the incident.
“I survive and support my family through piece jobs I do as a bricklayer. My job is seasonal and right now it’s dry, I haven’t had a job since January this year. Construction companies are not hiring due to the economic crisis and it’s tough for us bricklayers in the construction industry.”
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