KHUBVI – Mr Fhatuwani Sikhipha (46) of Khubvi Village said he received a new lease on life when he was presented with R1 000 cash by a well-known local businessman, Mr Abdullah Patel (58).

The story of Sikhipa’s plight appeared in last Friday’s Mirror. Sikhipha is suffering from a liver disorder, which causes his stomach to bulge. He is no longer able to provide for his wife and seven kids as he does not have any means of income. His family goes for days without food and he cannot raise school fees for three of his kids. He has been bed-ridden for months because he is too poor to afford expensive medical treatment.

Barely two hours after the publication of the story, Patel called Mirror to organise a visit to Fhatuwani’s home the very same day. When handing over the cash, Abdullah said he was deeply touched by the article and he felt it was his duty to do something for the poor man.

“The article was so touching that I could not resist helping the man,” says Patel. “He can pay school fees for his kids and also buy food with the money. This man has found himself in a very painful situation and he needs our assistance to carry on with life.”

Abdullah called on other businesspeople to follow his lead and reach out to the poor. “As businesspeople we have to contribute to the community because they are the ones who made us what we are today,” said Patel, who owns Mbeu Bookshop, Computer City and Spares City in Tho-hoyandou.

Fhatuwani says he does not have enough words to thank Abdullah for his generosity. “I was hopeless and I was only waiting for death, but Mr Patel has uplifted me,” he said. “I am going to face life with courage because I know that there are still people who care out there.”

Fhatuwani also expressed his special gratitude to Mirror for voicing his cry for help.