Homeless man moved to tears when strangers surprise him with a chance to start again
CAPE TOWN - A homeless man got the surprise of a lifetime when he was given R10 000 as a gift and the chance to go home.
Rajah Brigmouhoun was sitting on a bench in Cape Town when philanthropist BI Phakathi and musician K.O sat down next to him.
As the three started chatting and Brigmouhoun shared that after being seriously injured at his last job, he was unable to work, currently homeless and desperate to return to Durban, his hometown.
Phakathi and K.O handed him some money and transferred another R10 000 into his account, in a random act of kindness that brought tears to his eyes. His dream is now to use the funds to start a spaza shop. This was part of Capitec’s – the bank for all South Africans – #MakeADifference campaign.
Capitec, Phakathi and K.O have partnered to help change the lives of South Africans going through tough times. Through the campaign, South Africa’s largest digital bank has played an instrumental role in upliftment by making donations and delivering food parcels across the country.
“Despite our differences, the one thing I have always known about South Africans is that we are a kind-hearted people.
“That is why wherever you go you will hear people repeating the phrase ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’.
“We felt like these good deeds would be a good way of expressing that – and we hope they inspire other South Africans to share their stories of ‘paying it forward’,” said K.O.
The deed received thousands of views and comments on Phakathi’s Facebook page.
One viewer from India, Sanjita Sinha, said: “ You are so sweet, sir. God bless you to each and every moment. We pray for you everyday. Love from India.”
Melissa Struhar-Juarez added: “You all are amazing! Bless you Mr phakathi and the persons who were with you.”
Neptal Khoza, the head of corporate social investment at Capitec Bank, said: “We committed R3.9 million to food relief and distributed around 18 tons of food parcels to more than 18 000 people countrywide. It’s an incredible privilege to be able to make a difference to people like Rajah. We hope that he gets home safely and that this contribution helps make a small but significant impact on his life.”
Cape Times