Submitted by:  Francois Welman

Recently I was travelling back from Belfast to Centurion.  After stopping at Alzu, I picked up a young man, Zamokuhle Dube, as I got back onto the freeway.  He was travelling to Germiston for a job interview.  A short way into our 160km trip I decided to change my route via Germiston to make sure he arrived for his interview.

I was angry with the things this 25-year-old young man had to go through to try and get a job.  He got a phone call for the interview on Tuesday morning.  He packed his one small bag with his belongings in the hope that a new chapter was beginning.  He was hitchhiking with the hope that he would only use the R70 which his grandmother gave him when needed.

How many of us would have given up and returned to where we came from?

Never did he know that he would be robbed that night in Piet Retief by three men with knives.  They took his cell phone and the R70.  He ended up sleeping at a fuel station.  That morning he was still positive and full of hope that he could hitchhike to his interview.

What struck me hard was that he was dressed very neatly with black shoes, black pants, white collar shirt, and a black jacket.  Never would I have imagined that he had to borrow the shirt and jacket from a friend for the interview.  The more we talked, the more I realised how hard this young man was trying to get a start in life.  He completed Grade 12 and still he was unemployed.

He was the one impacting my life.  Making me realise how fortunate I am with everything I have.

Many will say I impacted his life that day by buying him food, giving him money, and making sure he got to his destination.  This is where everyone is wrong.  He was the one impacting my life.  Making me realise how fortunate I am with everything I have.

My biggest wish is that the government, which is sitting in the position to change this, will actually realise how much the change is needed.  What are we as a nation doing to impact young people striving to make a living and start a chapter of success?

Since his phone was stolen I cannot follow up to know how his interview went and if he reached Soweto safely to sleep over with his family.  He has my number and I believe he will make contact to share with me.  I pray and believe God will guide him and protect him and bless him with his future.

Until we meet again, Zamokuhle Dube.