Couple’s faith in Rainbow Nation restored following accident

It all started at about 3pm on Friday, May 25, when coloured law student Daine Ramnath (22), of Freeway Park, and his white, 20-year-old girlfriend, Marisa Clementi, a stage production student from Libradene, were driving from Benoni to Boksburg, along the top end of Cason Road.

As they drew level with the Dunswart taxi rank, a big delivery truck, travelling alongside them suddenly turned right sharply, scraping along the passenger side and climbing partly up the front mudguard and bonnet of Daine’s Kia, before driving off without stopping.

”I was terrified,” said Daine.

“This was outside the taxi rank and most people I know are very wary of that area — it’s a tough neighbourhood and I didn’t know if Marisa would be alright, if we’d be attacked or if everything in the car would be stolen.”

Suddenly, two cars that were travelling behind the couple — one driven by a white man and the other by an Indian — roared past them and tore after the truck, forcing it to a halt some way along the road.

In the meantime, a large number of black commuters from the taxi rank descended on the damaged car, to check if the two occupants had been injured — especially Marisa, who was seated on the side where the truck collided with them.

”At first I thought I should lock the car, but these people were amazingly kind,” said Daine.

“They asked over and over again if we were OK and some of them ran after the cars that had followed the truck and brought back the driver, to wait for the police.

“When the truck driver admitted to being a foreign national, some of the people became a bit rowdy, shouting at him that he was a fool for endangering our lives and pointing out that he could have seriously injured Marisa.

”I became worried that they might hurt him, but they just kept him there, waiting with us for the police, who took about an hour to arrive.”

A further surprise awaited when a tow truck arrived.

”I didn’t know our insurance details, only that my father had something to do with the AA and, because I was in a state, I couldn’t remember which panel beater my family had used in past,” explained Daine.

“I tried to contact my parents, who were abroad at the time, but didn’t manage this.

” I explained the situation to the white driver of the tow truck, who said he knew which panel beater was AA approved and mentioned the name, which I recognised.

“He volunteered to tow my car to where it needed to be without any proof that I was insured, telling me not to worry, everything would be fine; my car was safely taken to correct place.

”When Marisa’s parents drove us home I found that I was really happy.

”Obviously I didn’t want my car to be damaged, but the reaction of all those wonderful people, of every colour, their gentleness, their caring and their kindness has left Marisa and I with feelings of joy and faith in the future of this country.”

The couple didn’t get the names of the people who assisted them, but said they were grateful for the help and the positive life lesson they learned.