Editor -What could’ve turned into another crime that we are all too familiar with turned into a good-news story that we don’t hear often enough. Last week, I forgot my cellphone on the roof of my car and drove off from a petrol station near the Fresh Produce Market. Shortly after that, I realised my blunder and returned to the station.
The phone was nowhere in sight. I got someone to call my number, [and] although someone answered, we were cut off. Later that afternoon I got someone to call the number again. At that stage I did not expect anyone to answer the phone because I presumed someone had stolen it.
Surprisingly, someone did pick up. He explained that a driver from Cleveland-based Kayley’s Belgium Chocolates, Bonga Mhlawuli, had seen the phone on the road, picked it up and handed it to his manager, Max Dube, in the hope that someone would call to claim it.
When I met with Mr Mhlawuli and Mr Dube, Mr Dube explained how his driver constantly checked whether someone had called to claim the phone as he was most concerned that someone had lost it. Mr Mhlawuli didn’t have to return the phone, but he chose to do the right thing. This simple act of kindness has reignited my belief in humanity.
In a world of negativity and bad news, this thoughtful act demonstrates that we are surrounded by decent and caring people who make this world a better place. Thank you, Bonga Mhlawuli, for being one of the good people.
Manny de Freitas, MP
DA Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South
