Young and promising businessman Mr Nkhiphitheni Nedzinwani (33) is still reeling in shock, following a burglary that happened in his sports shop, where thugs made off with his stock.

Nedzinwani of Shayandima, says he nearly collapsed on Tuesday morning when he was informed that his shop, Bassie Sports Shop in the Thohoyandou complex was empty after a break-in that happened on Monday night, November 6. "I was at my other shop, Mac-Khippy Sports Wear, also in Thohoyandou, placing an order telephonically, when I was informed that there was a waiting call for me on the landline. Upon taking the call, the caller told me my shop was empty, following a burglary that seemed to have happened the previous night," says Nedzinwani.

Nedzinwani says he felt as if he was dreaming when he reached his shop. "I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that stock of more than R25 000 is gone. The other bad thing is that I had just opened another branch in Giyani on October 29." He added that this leaves him with a very big challenge of raising money to buy stock for Bassie and for the new shop.

Nedzinwani started his sport shop, Mac-Khippy, three years ago, after he lost his job as an acting store-manager in a sport shop after it closed down in Thohoyandou. As he is from a very poor background, Nedzinwani has made several donations to the needy families since he opened his shops. These include soccer kit to schools and community soccer teams. Recently, he had adopted four orphaned children at Maniini, near Thohoyandou, whom he assists with groceries and school funds. Although his shop, Bassie, is closed now, Nedzinwani says he will work hard and re-open within a week.