Bicycle donation uplifts Mbuzeni’s spirits
The upper Highway community rallied together in response to an appeal to get Mbuzeni Mkhize a new bicycle.
AFTER 12 years of riding a toddler bicycle, Mbuzeni Mkhize from Inchanga, finally has a new bike, thanks to the Upper Highway community’s generosity.
According to Tasmyn McDonald who lives in Monteseel, she had seen an old man cycling on a pink toddler’s bicycle with a raised handlebar and seat on occasions. Mbuzeni was often spotted by the community either in the Monteseel and Drummond areasin the afternoons or in the Kloof Maytime area. Mbuzeni works on the greens at the Kloof Country Club and travels to work everyday on this bicycle to support his family.
Tasmyn’s heart went out to this man and she decided to write an appeal for the community to donate an adult’s bicycle to Mbuzeni. Tasmyn’s mom, Denise Fritsch, then published the appeal on social media where it went viral.
“We were so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the communities. The amount of donations that poured in for Mbuzeni in the form of bicycles, donations and more, was unreal,” said Denise.
Tasmyn said all she wanted to do was to help this person. “He showed such commitment to his family by cycling from home to work and back every single day on a tiny bicycle. He was not ashamed in any way. He portrayed strong will power and determination which inspired me to try and help him in whatever way I could,” said Tasmyn.
Denise’s friend, John Sack, sponsored a brand new BMX bike and JM Tostee donated a new Gotcha bag for Mbuzeni to carry his belongings. A second bike was donated by Michael Knauff for Mbuzeni to use as he pleased and Ann Moffatt donated a reflector jacket to keep him safe on the roads at night.
Mbuzeni was surprised when he saw the bicycle. He couldn’t stop thanking Tasmyn and her mom as well as all those community members who pitched in to do their bit to uplift his spirits.
