BEGGAR Rusty Dewinnaar has become a familiar sight in Morningside, so much so that the community is now rallying to raise funds for the cancer sufferer.
Rusty, who was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer some four years ago can be found sittings at the intersection of Sandile Thusi (Argyle) and Lilian Ngoyi (Windermere) Roads most days. Morningside resident, Tarryn Coetzee, who described Rusty as a “man with a heart of gold” said she often stopped to chat to him on her way to taking her son to school in the mornings. It was after hearing Rusty tale of struggle, that she decided he needed help and set up a fundraising page on social media, appealing to the community to help.
“I created this fundraising page to help him pay his rent of R350 a week,” she said. “We need to raise R18 200 which covers his rent for a year. If we can do that, then he doesn’thave to worry about accommodation and can focus on his personal well-being,”she said.
A grateful Rusty said he had been begging at the intersection for the past 18 months and had met some lovely people. He said he left his rented room in town at around 4am every morning to arrive at the intersection at 5.30am and sits there until about 1pm. “Some people do help, but they are the minority. Others look away, but this is their prerogative. People look at all beggars the same, but the ones who help know I have cancer and they help me where they can. I don’t expect it, it is by the grace of God,” he said.
His journey from qualified shopfitter to beggar began in 2011 after he fell off a ladder and broke his neck, ribs, both arms and one leg.
ALSO READ: New home for Baba Zondi
“It was a battle after that. I started car guarding when I got better and worked at snake park and got to know all the surfers, runners and cyclists. I’m blessed by them. I was there for five years and was doing well when I was diagnosed with cancer. I have had 37 chemo sessions but it seems to be making me more sick. I had a transplant two years ago but it didn’t help, but I am blessed, I’m not in a wheelchair, not deaf and not blind. I have to concentrate on the blessings I have. The fact that I opened my eyes this morning is a blessing already,” he said.
For Rusty, his greatest worry is having a roof over his head, so he is extremely grateful for what Tarryn is doing in setting up a fundraising page. He said he would love to get a job as a caretaker and had previously been the maintenance manager at Flame Lily Park, so he had the experience.
“Unfortunately people look at my age and the fact that I have cancer. I will give in, but I won’t give up! Doctors are amazed that I have lived so long with cancer and I’m convinced it is my positive attitude, your mind is as strong as you are. I feel that I can complain and remain, or praise and be raised, it is a simple choice,” he said.
He says he has made peace with death, but that it is by the grace of God that he survives. “God wants me here still and I use my time while living in town speaking to the prostitutes and addicts, and encouraging them to get help. Some have, but even if it was just one, I have made a change, it is great,” he said.
If you want to contribute towards the fundraising initiative for Rusty, visit: https://bit.ly/2mm8nrb
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
