The plight of Paula Niel and her four children (‘Daily struggle denies children a future”, February 2003) reminded me of an old man who I drive past on my way to work every morning. He wears a long black jacket and other tattered garments; has a long greyish hair and beard. He walks with bare feet and often has a plastic bag in his hand.
Day-after-day, the picture of this old man inhabits my mind. The fact is I do nothing to help him. I don’t give him a lift in my splendid car, nor do I share the fruit that I always eat on my way to work
When last did you share a meal with someone poor and hungry? When last did you lend a hand or assist someone needy? We always walk away from them and pretend they are not there; we are on the busy streets with no places for stopping or parking.
Remember: you alone can’t solve all the tribulations of this world, but to that particular person you try and help, you can make the difference.
— Lehlohonolo Mathibe