EDITOR – With all the xenophobia going on here in KZN there is still some good and goodwill out there.
On Saturday early evening – it was already dark – I quickly (or so I thought) went to the BP garage in Kloof (near the SPAR and opposite the library) to put some fuel in my car. One of the attendants, Paddy, put in the fuel, and when I wanted to start my car it would not start. I waited a few minutes and tried again. The engine was turning but seemed to ‘flood’ every time. Paddy asked me to open the bonnet and looked around to see if anything was loose. All seemed to be fine.
He then asked about the fuel pump and if this had happened before. I looked for my cellphone in my bag but realised I had left it at home. Paddy disappeared for a couple of minutes and brought his own cellphone for me to use. I first rang my one son but it went to voicemail. I then asked Paddy if I could try another son and he said, “Cool, no problem.” I tried my other son and left a message for him to phone me on this ‘unknown’ number.
A few seconds later my son phoned back on Paddy’s phone. Paddy gave me the phone. I told my son what was wrong and he said he will come over straight away. I wanted to give Paddy some money to cover the two phone calls but he would not hear of it.
When my son arrived we realised that neither of us had anything to tow my car with. Without any problem one of Paddy’s colleagues started looking for a rope for us so that my car could be towed. While all of this was happening I was still trying to start my car, which I managed eventually, so we did not need a rope.
I was so amazed by the friendliness and helpfulness of Paddy and his colleague. There are still good Samaritans in the world, and it gives me hope for our amazing country. Thank you Paddy and colleague. BP should be proud of you. You are shining examples of good still left in this tired sad world of ours.
Susette van der Steeg
Hillcrest
