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Lenox Lizwi Mhlanga

WHEN was the last time you did something out of the goodness of your heart? Not out of guilt or necessity but a good deed for those in our society who are not as fortunate?

Our history is replete with such people and if one has to wrack the brain, I am sure you can come out with one.

When we grew up we had Jairos Jiri who was declared a national hero because of his work for those living with disability.

His legacy lives on to this day. One often wonders what drove people like him to dedicate their lives for the benefit of others.

Someone said that the true test of a person’s character is how he treats the less fortunate in society. Most of the destitute are like that not because of their own making. I am talking about those living with disability and the aged.

When my sister, Iris Nozizwe, was told that she was going to meet a disabled destitute man not far from where she stays, she took it lightly. That is until she bumped into Malaba aka Ncube on a wheelchair. That was at the local shopping centre in Bradfield.

She was in tears when she called. It was divine intervention. When she bought the old man who stays at the Bulawayo shelter, food and groceries, he also broke down.

It was the beginning of a relationship between my sister and two aged, disabled and destitute men. She feeds them every day, not out of pity, but because of the humanity we all have, but in differing amounts.

It explains why those two are content with wheeling all the way from across the city to Bradfield where she stays. Ncube stays at the shelter in Thorngrove and David Nkala is from Cowdray Park. There are two other destitutes at the shopping centre that she feeds as well whenever they happen to be around.

Her generosity and the smiles she brings to those two old men is such a joy to watch. The other day she said that Ncube reminded her of our late father. I was shocked when I finally met him.

His demeanour and manner of speech was similar to his!

But the story does not end there. Having shared her experiences on social media, there has been an outpouring from people who also want to help. One of those is an amazing person in Harare who is affectionately known as Mr Baker.

Mr Aboobaker is a businessman with his heart in the right place. When I met him, he had just been to visit one of the many people he assists who had passed away.

He related how he helped the family with groceries for the funeral. He has adopted one of the young girls by paying for her school fees. And it was as if he had lost a close relative. The concern for that family was genuine and was etched on his face.

Mr Baker assists those living with disability with wheelchairs for their mobility. He also feeds more than 250 children around the capital city who come from poor families.

He runs a thriving catering business, which no doubt finances his philanthropic activities. Yet he spends a significant part of his time visiting and assisting the poor.

What is it that drives people to be generous with little benefit to themselves? Is it something in their DNA, or is it that humans are wired to be generous but that trait has been eroded by the kind of lives we live.

If one is not moved by the fact that one’s fellow man is not as fortunate as you are, then one should ask this question. How would one feel if circumstances were reversed? Put yourself in their shoes just for once.

Sobering isn’t it? As long as one appreciates that the destitute don’t choose to be what they are. Circumstances differ, but what they need is for us to dig deep into our humanity and make their lives worth living.

The generous outpouring from people who have heard of the story shows the extent of what I am talking about. People are looking for an opportunity to do good for those in our communities who are unable to make ends meet.

I wrote this article as dedication to the kindness of the angels in our midst.

Selfless people who have made it their life to help others. The good that is in all of us is waiting for a chance to express itself.

It does not have to be some ground breaking act of kindness. It’s just those random small acts of unforced benevolence that will make a world of difference for those who really need it.

One does not have to feel guilty to donate those unwanted items to a destitute around the corner. They are humans too, and they yearn for your love, care and compassion. And when you do such acts, that feel-good switch inside of you is flicked on.

And if that doesn’t make you feel truly blessed, I don’t know what else will.