Good deeds celebrated by community

WITH so many tiresome selfies and negative news saturating social media two locals breathed a sense of fresh air into Facebook as they shared their heartwarming tales of good Samaritans on the popular Durban North Neighbour’s page.

“Shout out to all the kind people who helped me out today,” wrote Umgeni Park resident Michelle

Edwards on her Facebook post which outlines the recent selfless assistance of several strangers, when she nearly lost her wallet and cell phone.

Speaking to the Northglen News, Edwards said she had accidentally forgotten the treasured items on the back of her husband, Ryan’s bakkie, when she strapped their one-year-old son, Thomas, into the car seat – after shopping at Checkers in Virgina.

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“As we drove around the Virgina Circle they went flying off the back of the bakkie. One man witnessed this and followed us all the way to the Riverside Road turn-off, where he managed to flag us down. We immediately turned around hoping to find them on the road, but they were gone,” she said.

“We then went to the police station to see if they had been handed in there, but had no luck,” she added.

At that point the 31-year-old psychologist said she had lost all hope of being reunited with her belongings.

“We didn’t even think to call my phone, or anything like that. We were convinced that someone had walked off with them,” she said.

However, as luck would have it, her items had been found by uMhlanga’s Luke Conradie. The 20-year-old had devised an ingenious plan to reunite Edwards with her lost items.

While driving home, shortly after Edwards had phoned her bank to cancel her cards, they received a surprising phone call on Ryan’s cell phone.

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“When we answered the call a young man named Luke was on the other end. He had spotted my wallet lying in the road and had stopped to pick it up. As my phone was locked he could not access any of my contacts. But, by finding my name on a card in my wallet he managed to track me down on Facebook and saw that I was married to Ryan. Then by activating ‘Siri’ on my phone he managed to instruct it to call my husband’s cell,” she explained.

“I am truly grateful for all the effort and kindness from so many strangers. I am especially relieved to have my driver’s licence and the photos that were on my phone back. Those are irreplaceable,” she said.

Conradie, a mechanical engineering student, said he was happy to help.

“I have had my phone stolen and lost before. So, I know that it is one of the worst things that can happen,” he said.

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Edward’s post received over 450 likes and dozens of comments from people who were thrilled to read some positive news.

Inspiring waitress

Glen Anil’s Leigh-Anne Hull also sent out a ‘massive shout out’ to her altruistic stranger, Nonhle Mabaso.

The Wimpy waitress gave it no second thought when she helped out the mother of two, who was stranded outside the Gateway Theatre of Shopping after she forgot her bag and cell phone at home.

“I left in such a rush with my children that morning I had left it at home. Without money I couldn’t pay for my parking and without my cell couldn’t phone for help,” she said.

“I walked around aimlessly for a while and then eventually decided to go to the restaurant to ask if I could use their phone,” she said.

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“Without any question Nonhle lent me her personal phone and I was able to call my husband. While waiting for him outside a few minutes later she come up to me and gave me R10 to pay for my parking and insisted that she did not want it back,” added Hull.

“I You are a bright shining light and I so appreciate your help today!” She wrote on her post, which had been liked over 500 times.

“I really didn’t think much of it,” said the humble 24-year old.

“I believe everyone should help out their fellow man when they are in need,” she added.

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