Why wait for generosity at home?
Why can't his three children also sell newspapers?
PATRICIA PLEASANCE of Bonaero Park writes:
We generally have a lot to complain about in our country of many societal warts. But Tumelo Tshetlo’s “sunshine” article in last week’s Kempton Express gave me renewed confidence that there are many citizens with the generosity of spirit to ultimately secure a bright future for the next generation of South Africans.
It was heart-warming to see so many good Samaritans donating grocery parcels to 72-year-old birthday boy Tata John Mashinini.
Also read:
• Newspaper vendor turns 72: all he wants, is …
• Groceries galore for newspaper man’s 72nd birthday
In fact, I got quite emotional while reading the article. A recent Express story told of a wonderful lady who provided a Christmas meal for some of the city’s indigents.
Only when one has interacted with some desperate indigent folk can you appreciate their plight. I once volunteered to serve meals on Christmas Day to poor people in Johannesburg’s Joubert Park. We were amazed to see that the queue never seemed to end.
Then we realised that many of them were finishing their plate of food and re-joining the line for second and even third helpings. It was probably the first decent meal they had enjoyed for ages and they were not likely to have another one for who knows how long.
My late granny used to embarrass us by giving tea and sandwiches to beggars on our front stoep. When we complained, she would say, “There but for the grace of God go I. These people are all some mother’s child. They deserve our respect and kindness.”
Mahatma Gandhi said that there was more than enough food in the world for mankind’s need but not nearly enough for mankind’s greed. If we all shared a little of our bountiful possessions, poverty and hunger could be eliminated and consequently, crime.
I don’t want to spoil the spirit of Mr Mashinini’s birthday party or be presumptuous, but I have one reservation. Due to the chronic unemployment in our country and the plague of Aids-related deaths, many elderly folk spend a large part of their meagre pension money supporting their whole extended family, often including grandchildren.
I wonder why his three children can’t assist the elderly man with his newspaper vending instead of waiting for his generosity at home?
