Voices
Acts of kindness help bridge the divide
We often focus on the negative. Nevertheless, I would like to share two positive experiences that my mother, a white woman in her eighties, experienced over the past few months. Both happened while driving.
Martin Zagnoev, Johannesburg
In the first, her car broke down on the highway. She was able to pull over onto the side of the road. There was a black man parked nearby in a bakkie. He brought out some tools, and was able to repair her car quickly. Fortunately he also had a bucket of water in the back which was needed to re-fill the radiator.
In the second, she got lost while driving in an unfamiliar place. Again, an unknown African man escorted her to where she needed to go.
Recently I had the opportunity to pay it forward when I escorted a lost delivery man to his destination. By doing things like this, we can reduce racial tension and introduce a better spirit into the world around us. Although I don’t wear a yarmulke, those who do can reduce negative stereotypes about Jews being stingy when they do similar kind acts. Doing these things would be a kiddush Hashem [sanctification of the name of G-d by being holy], which is the highest mitzvah possible.
Although there is much talk about racial tension, most black and white people work and interact with each other in a relaxed and friendly way.
There is a lot of goodwill in this great land. South Africans are known for their warmth and friendliness. Overseas visitors often comment favourably about this.