Paramedic helps White River family to bury baby
The Hi-Tech paramedic took it upon himself to make and deliver a small coffin for a deceased baby of a White River family who are struggling financially.
A local paramedic recently went above and beyond the call of duty when he forwent rest between shifts to hand-make a coffin for the baby of a struggling family.
Sakhile Mabuza (30), a basic life support paramedic at Hi-Tech Medical Services, had been working the night shift with his partner, Charity Moyane, on the evening of Saturday August 13, when they were called out to a house in White River to treat an ill nine-month-old baby.
“We got to the house at about 20:00 that night, but unfortunately the baby was dead and there was nothing that could be done. The family was absolutely distraught,” said Mabuza.
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After Moyane had declared the baby dead, they sat with the devastated family until almost midnight, trying to arrange affordable funeral services.
He said the family was struggling financially, and he decided there and then that he would offer to help them in some way by building a coffin for the little one.
“I did not know the family personally. I just wanted to help them,” Mabuza said.
“My father and brother are woodworkers. I grew up working with wood and had all the tools and material already at home. After we left
the house and I went home from my night shift, I got straight to work making the coffin.
“It took me half the day to make. I dropped the coffin with the family the next evening, on my way to work for the night shift on Sunday August 14. I think they were very grateful to have it.”
Mabuza, who has been a paramedic for nearly a decade, has three children of his own.
“I just wanted to help them and the little one,” he said.
His partner, Moyane, said she was very proud of Mabuza and grateful for what he had done for the family.
Hi-Tech Medical Service operational medical manager Elmarie Prinsloo said that this was a perfect example of the type of person Mabuza is.
“I am a mum myself, so this especially hits home for me,” she said. “It is this kind of compassion that we at Hi-Tech Medical Service strive for. We are proud to have him as part of the team. Thank you for your compassion and care.”
