Respect the Less Fortunate
Rustenburg/ Tlhabane – The latest statistics from Statistics South Africa (on Monday) revealed that the number of unemployed people in South Africa has risen to a whopping 4.7million.
Even worse – the number of expanded unemployment is a staggering 6.81million (those who have given up looking for work). The majority (70.7%) of these unemployed are between the ages of 15-34…
In Rustenburg there are a few people who had the insight to see this coming… Or just the will-power to improve their own lives without waiting for the government to “create jobs” on their behalf.
ONE such a man is Mister John Planti. He collects a small disability cheque from the state and then –to help his sister and caretaker – he collects scrap-metal throughout town. He is a common sight throughout Rustenburg and in particular in Tlhabane (his own neighbourhood). He collects a disability grant from the state because he is severely mentally challenged.
He is actually one of very few people – in my humble opinion – who has a legitimate reason to collect a government grant and yet he has the discipline and work ethic that any employer would have hired. Despite his diminished mental capacity, Planti is a trusting, hard-working, character… DEFINITELY NOT A LAZY ONE!
According to the owner of a local scrap-metal company, not a day goes by without John bring something, some days he brings 10kg of scrap metal, some days he brings 2kg; but everyday he does his bit.
So the next time you feel like donating to the less fortunate, consider rather supporting those who still wish to work but CAN’T. Rather than supporting those who simply find it easier to stand and wait for a hand-out.
Used with permission: Platinum Weekly