Outpouring of kindness helps Lifalethu recover

The 11-year-old boy who was forced to walk 35km from school in Simon’s Town to his home in Makhaza, is doing much better after the ordeal last month, according to his mother.

Lifalethu Mbasana, a pupil at Simon’s Town Primary School, was forced to make the journey on foot on July 22 after he was kicked off a Golden Arrow bus by the driver when he could not find his ticket.

His two siblings, aged 10 and 7, boarded the 2.30pm bus from Simon’s town to Makhaza, leaving Lifalethu to start the trip alone. He finally arrived home at nearly 10pm.

When his mother learned that her son was kicked off the bus, she took to social media to post that he was missing and reported it to Simon’s Town police.

Various neighbourhood watches from Simon’s Town, Muizenberg and Mitchell’s Plain circulated Lifalethu’s picture to try and find him.

He was later spotted by Law Enforcement officers in Makhaza who were also searching for him.

A week after the incident, his father Sipho Mbasana said Lifalethu had still been dealing with the trauma of what had happened and had lost weight.

“When he is around us he acts strong, but deep down he is not okay,” said Mr Mbasana.

He added that as a father he felt hopeless when the incident happened but he got strength from the support they received. The family thanked all those who helped, including Simon’s Town Primary School teachers who went searching for Lifalethu along the route.

On Monday August 19, his mother Siba Mbasana, said Lifalethu has now opened up and is doing well at school and home. She said after the incident he was quiet and did not want to talk about what had happened but after seeing kindness from the public, he was much happier.

“People started to show him love and care and he started to respond differently. He looked upset before whenever there were media people coming, and I had to beg him to talk when there were journalists because he did not want to entertain the incident,” said Ms Mbasana.

Siba said after the Kasi Angels Foundation came to offer school shoes and toiletries, other people also offered help in the form of a body stress-release massage that he still attends, another company offered a R500 voucher to buy stationery, and also a free surfing lesson at Muizenberg Beach.

She also said all this kindness has brought a huge change in Lifalethu and he is more passionate about his school work.

Two weeks ago the family spent a weekend away that was offered by a guesthouse in Muizenberg. “We had a great time there. Imagine something so bad happening, only to attract so much good. I have God to thank you, to be grateful for everything that had to happen so that we can see the love of God through his people,” she said.

Gerald Nomlala, founder of Kasi Angels Foundation, said as a child he lost two years of his schooling due to not having school shoes which is why he was now helping others. He added that Lifalethu is school shoe recipient number 64 000, since the foundation started in 2017.

Golden Arrow Bus Services has offered to provide free rides to Lifalethu for this school term.

Regarding the bus driver, Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said: “Following his suspension, disciplinary proceedings were instituted as per company policy. The details of disciplinary processes and their outcomes are confidential and we are therefore unable to share any specifics.”