How Covid-19 Has Raised Community Support

Through the greatest struggle comes the most growth. We take a look at some of the many people that have risen above the COVID-19 pandemic to make a real difference within their communities.

- Sally Harvey

When the editor of A2 magazine approached me to write this piece, I jumped at the opportunity to instill hope in the minds of our readers – the hope of a better future for all, together, united.

Both of us agreed that people needed to be uplifted during these uncertain times. We were tired of the negative, fear-based, doom-and-gloom reporting, and so wanted to shine the spotlight on how this pandemic has led to more and more people getting involved with supporting their communities – and lending a helping hand to all those who have experienced devastation as a result of a crumbling economy.

I recently watched Zac Effron’s series on Netflix, Down to Earth, and during one of the episodes, the mayor of Puerto Rico's words strongly resonated with what we are experiencing today. This was after the island suffered massive devastation when Hurricane Irma gutted cities and towns, leaving thousands homeless and in darkness. She said: “government sometimes fails but people find a way to help each other.”

Not all honesty has been lost

A recent report on TimesLIVE shares a heart-warming story about a university student, Wandile Ntuli, who was rewarded for his honesty.

On 28 July, he received an unexpected R9 000 via e-wallet. After phoning everyone he knew to find out if anyone sent it to him, he received a message from the sender stating that the money was sent to the wrong number – and was actually intended for the sender’s child who was in the hospital. Ntuli immediately sent the money back. Without the intention of being praised or rewarded, Ntuli posted the story on Twitter. To his surprise, social media users, who were so taken with his honesty, decided to e-wallet him a reward, which ended up accumulating to more than the r9 000 sent to him in error.