Letter: Thank you

Dr Kirsten Thompson from Pretoria wrote:

I wish to inform you of a really positive experience I had on 12 March.

I was driving down Justice Mohammed Street at about 09:15 with my 15-month-old baby girl in the car, when I suddenly realised that I had a flat tyre. The vehicle I was travelling in is terribly old and big, equipped with truck tyres that I could not possibly change myself. I got out of my vehicle to see hundreds of cars speeding by me, showing no interest in my predicament and immediately phoned my husband who was in Vereeniging, and would not have been able to help me. The solution we came to was for me to just lock the car and leave it there on the pavement until he could get home that evening.

However, while we were on the phone, I noticed a Tshwane EMS vehicle pull up onto the kerb behind me, and out stepped my two guardian angels – Mr KA Malatje and Mr J Tefo. These two gentlemen sacrificed nearly an hour of their morning (and I can only assume were late for whatever meeting or appointment they were on their way to) and changed my tyre. It was a huge mission, as they had to use a hydraulic jack which didn’t quite fit the vehicle, and the tyres are massive and heavy.

Throughout the process I thanked them profusely, and felt so helpless at the end of the ordeal, as I really wanted to do something in return for their kindness. I tried to give them some money in order to go and buy a cake for themselves. They refused my monetary offering flat out and said it was part of their job, and that they did it out of pride for their city. All they asked is that I show my appreciation by spreading the word to my family and friends, and encourage them to live in Pretoria. I was completely blown away by their honesty and pride in the City of Tshwane.

I repeat the story to all my friends and family, and the event has reaffirmed people’s faith in humanity and kindness. They showed pride and integrity that I can only hope permeates the whole of the city’s workforce. I, for one, am immensely proud to be a resident of this city. Furthermore, I would like for the men of Pretoria to rest assured that their wives are safe on our roads if they ever have a flat tyre, thanks to these two men.