GEORGE NEWS - It is a balmy winter's day and a construction worker returns from his lunch break, eager to add finishing touches to a newly built, five-storey apartment block in bustling downtown George.
At six minutes past two, just as Shadrack Maine enters the lift on the top floor, he is suddenly engulfed by a terrifying whooshing sound.
In just eight seconds, the entire building collapses catastrophically, instantly burying 62 victims beneath 6 000 tonnes of collapsed concrete and mangled steel.
Thus begins the nightmare experience for the Lesotho national, who had left his family in Maseru in 2010 to seek a living in South Africa.
On that fateful Monday, 6 May, four days before his 37th birthday, Maine is plunged into pitch-black darkness and a sheer living hell as his body is pinned down under massive cement blocks.
"I will never forget the terrible screams around me," says Maine about the trauma he endured while languishing for hours in the shadow of death. He drifted into semi-consciousness until the next day when he was located by rescuers.
His left arm and leg were amputated on site in order to free him from the wreckage.
After being treated at George Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, he returned to Maseru in July, and has now returned to George for rehabilitation.
A total of 34 people lost their lives in one of South Africa's worst building disasters. Of the 28 survivors, Maine suffered the worst physical disabilities.
World's top deaf artist helps
While in George Hospital, he was visited by the world's top deaf artist, Marnitz Steyn, with his Bible study group.
Steyn says, "Much of my work is an emotional response to the pain and the beauty around me. When I first met Shadrack, I was touched by his resilient spirit. He faces so many challenges that I decided to auction one of my favourite paintings to contribute towards his immediate living expenses.
"I would like him to get a new prosthesis so that he can work again, because I can see his patient and humble spirit. I wish his wife and child to have him provide again and be happy.
"I would like people to help him. When we visited him in hospital, we asked him three times what we can do for him. He twice answered 'nothing', but finally, after asking three times, he was bold enough to say he would appreciate help in getting prostheses," says Steyn.
Steyn contacted Traders Auction Group (TAG) whose owner, Wayne van der Klashorst, was sympathetic and immediately answered the call to help raise awareness and auction the painting to the fortunate new owner.
Steyn will be donating all funds raised from his painting Waves to Maine's need. "Now we need the public's support," he says.
The value of the painting is R25 000, with a canvas size of 1 500mm x 500mm, and it is perfect for a holiday beach house, or a mantlepiece above the Christmas stockings.
Anyone interested in supporting Maine, can join the live online auction on Sunday 8 December. For more details on the auction, contact TAG on 082 487 0289 or 082 924 1071. To register for the auction, visit https://tradersauction.co.za.
View more of Steyn's magnificent artworks on his website, www.marnitzsteyn.co.za.
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