Ubuntu spirit lives on to save Katy’s life during attack

Initially, Katy Anne was like ‘Dora the Explora’ of the African continent – coming all the way from the United Kingdom until she decidez2wd settle in Fourways with her husband four years ago.

She said this was after she fell in love with the spirit of Ubuntu that lives within the people of Fourways.

It turned out to be the best decision she could ever make because the 44-year-old has many reasons to love them even more. On November 1, Anne was going to attend her doctor’s appointment when she suddenly had an asthma attack while driving.

“I had bronchitis since for a month or so. I was on my way to my doctor’s appointment and then [suddenly] I struggled to breathe in the car. I immediately stopped the car in Dainfern carpark. I got out of the car and then started panicking and had an asthma attack.”

This was a moment a total stranger, Tiffany Blignaut who she now calls her a ‘guardian angel’ came running to assist, “she was in the car opposite, so she got out and picked me up off the ground; calmed me down, and then helped me walk to the doctors room. That is where I finally got oxygen and she stayed with me for about 45 minutes even though she had a lot to do but she chose to stay with a stranger. We started chatting and she is a lovely person.”

Anne tells us a sisterly bond has since been formed between them. She says to express her gratitude because the worst could have happened, she took Blignaut out for coffee at Dainfern Square.

“We met the following week at the Pantry. I bought breakfast and we chatted and promised to stay in touch with one another. She is busy now moving back to Johannesburg and so we are planning to meet again in the next couple of weeks until she settles. It has been really lovely to find a new friend and just to realise that we have a lovely community here in Fourways. People care.

“South Africa has really caring people and it was really nice how Tiffany stopped when she did not have to. That is why I posted in the community group chat on Facebook because I wanted to get the positive story out there because there can be a lot of negativity sometimes and also thank her for helping a stranger that day. I am so grateful for that.”

Anne tells us she was embarrassed by the asthma attack but little did she know there was more to it, “I was told I also had Influenza B which turned into pneumonia and I was in hospital for five days. So, with all the drama, I thought I was overreacting, but it was actually a real illness,” she said while adding that she is currently recovering well at home.

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