THE taxi strike that caused havoc for road users on Wednesday, 31 May, gave two local women an opportunity to fulfill their good deed for the week.
After noticing the absence of staff in Wimpy, they took it upon themselves to serve the many customers who entered the restaurant that morning.
Hannah Parker (20) and Janine Shepard (31), both Kingsway High School ex-pupils, waited in the Amanzimtoti traffic and after not moving for two hours, had worked up an appetite and decided to wait out the traffic and have breakfast.
“Around 8am we went to Wimpy, Galleria,” said Hannah. “Both Janine and I noticed that the service was really slow. Throughout our breakfast we noticed Wimpy filling up and one waiter was running around trying to keep all the customers happy.”
Both women tried to identify other waiters and came to the conclusion that the strike prohibited them from getting to work that morning.
“We offered our services but the waiter could barely register it as he was so busy,” said Hannah.
“After our breakfast we walked into the kitchen area and offered again. We both had waitressing jobs in the past and knew that any help would be appreciated as the restaurant was full to capacity. There were two managers present. They had to cook and make coffee while one waiter was left to run the floor.”
After speaking to the waiter, Dumi, Hannah and Janine found out that he had left home at 2am just to make it to work.
“It was tiring and hot but to know that you made a difference in at least one person’s life made up for it all,” said Hannah.
The women admit that their service for the morning went over and above what is usually required of the staff.
“There were no cleaners so that had to be done by us too. We had to learn the specials and most of the menu items in five minutes, but we had a great teacher,” said Hannah.
“It was organised chaos when we started helping. I take my hat off to the waiter for trying to do everything alone.”
Hannah recalls that the waiter and cook were ‘all smiles and a bit wide eyed’ but they handled the negative comments and people with such grace. She never heard a complaint leave their mouth.
Hannah and Janine believe help should be given to your fellow man no matter what situation you find yourself in.
“We’re too quick only help ourselves, we don’t stop and see that there are people with bigger needs than us. It doesn’t have to involve money but your time can start something wonderful,” said the duo.
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