Every now and then, we hear of a story that in some way again restores our hope in mankind in terms of having compassion for and listening to the needs of others.

Such was the case a couple of weeks ago when farmer Wynand Bothma decided to help an elderly farming community from Mokgopa some 50km south of Louis Trichardt.

Wynand, who also farms in the area, drives through the Mokgoba settlement frequently. The residents here are mostly unemployed and elderly. At one stage, Wynand noticed seven elderly gentlemen who were also trying to make a living from farming. They had obtained a grant from the government to start a chicken-breeding project and cultivate vegetables. Everything seemed to just fall into place for the group of elderly men. Buildings were built, a borehole was sunk and equipped with a 1.5kW submersible pump and water tanks erected. Only one problem … Mokgoba has no electricity, so there was no way for the men to actually pump the water. There is also no more money coming from government.

This is where Wynand came in. Wynand, being aware of the men’s need for a generator, wrote in to Jacaranda 94.2’s Good Morning Angels request programme, outlining the group of elderly men’s plight. At that very moment, Mr Solly Noor of Solly’s Discount World in Louis Trichardt was listening. Shortly afterwards, he made contact with Wynand and arrangements were made to donate a generator to the needy community. Last week, Mr Noor handed the generator over to Wynand, who in turn handed it to the group of elderly men. Smiling with joy, the men are now finally able to fulfil their farming dream.