Compassion and kindness are often intertwined, reflecting a deep empathy and concern for others. Even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact.

Gaff Dangor, a semi-retired former diplomat, started an initiative after he saw the number of homeless people increase in Potchefstroom. After serving the country for 25 years, Gaff retired and started an Uber business in Potchefstroom.

“I get to see every nook and cranny of Potchefstroom. The number of homeless people and people who need help is astounding. There are a lot of people who hope to find shelter each night, but unfortunately, not all of them do.”

Gaff says he once picked up a young mother and baby on the Witrand road.

“I spotted a very young mother with her three-year-old child, in the rain, on the Witrand road. She had nowhere to go and no family. I picked them up and took them to the hospital, where they were diagnosed with hypothermia.”

He wanted to make a difference and started to collect blankets and food, which he gives out to homeless people each night as he drives around to transport his clients.

“One person cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

This initiative has spilled over to his colleagues, who also hand out blankets and food to people when they are driving at night.

“We have collected 200 blankets and 50 food parcels so far. It is also important to understand what type of food you can hand out. You cannot hand someone a can of food without a can opener. Or a packet of Cup-a-Soup, but no hot water.”

Gaff makes sure he always has blankets and food in his car. The project started this year, and Gaff has asked for the help of Karl Joubert, owner of Cannafrica, which is now a drop-off point for donations.

The initiative is not an organisation and is purely done out of love and compassion for the homeless.

Karl says the two of them became friends, and he supports the project 100%.

If you would like to donate food or blankets for this project, you can drop off goods at Cannafrica in Spruit Street.