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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - An experience of boundless benevolence and generosity unfolding over the past few years in Zone 9, Thembalethu, gave new hope to security guard Daniel Sithole, who was hit by adversity in 2019.

A fire gutted this kind-hearted man's makeshift gym where he had been teaching children martial arts on his own initiative. 

He wanted to provide a constructive activity that would keep them off the streets, teach them self-respect and respect for others, and give them hope of rising above their circumstances. 

His story gripped at the heart of a Dutch citizen, Marieke Bunnik, who has been a familiar face in Thembalethu for many years, touching people's lives through her foundation Angels4Angels.

It became Bunnik's vision to build Sithole a proper gym and an adjacent security office where he could live. That dream has now been realised and at the end of last month, the equipped gym was officially opened. It was an overwhelming moment for Sithole and an exhilarating day for the children of the neighbourhood.

He told George Herald he was very happy and grateful. He had learned martial arts from a young age from Japanese people in Durban where he grew up. He used to rummage in their rubbish bags looking for something to eat. They formed a connection with him, which led to his martial arts training.

PHOTO GALLERY: Dutch angel to the rescue

The new gym is used by adults during the day, and in the afternoons when Sithole comes home, he works with the kids. Everyone is thrilled about the new facility and there are already too many children who want to take part in the training, he says. "I will have to divide them into different groups."

Bunnik met Sithole at Ballot's Bay where he works as security guard and where she used to own property.

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The bubble bursts

She said getting the project off the ground had been a massive challenge. "Finding suitable land was a struggle in itself. Eventually a piece of municipal ground was identified near Daniel's old house where the George Municipality has granted us a lease agreement at a nominal fee to put up a creative centre and martial arts studio."

The plot was like a dump and before a cement foundation for the buildings could be poured, expensive groundworks had to be done. "My bubble was burst when I realised that the money I had saved up through my foundation was not nearly enough for the groundworks, slab and services."

Daniel Sithole gets his house keys from his Dutch benefactor, Marieke Bunnik, owner of the Angels4Angels foundation.

Help arrives

The municipal processes had also been a nightmare and she nearly gave up, but then, out of the blue, a Good Samaritan appeared on the scene. In the same week that Bunnik was finding herself in tears and at the end of her tether, Tasneem Allie, a Thailand resident, arrived at Ballot's Bay for a holiday.

She heard about the project and was introduced to Bunnik, which led to her becoming the main sponsor.

"Within four weeks of us meeting each other, Tasneem made the first of a number of donations which enabled the roll-out of the project. In all the years of my foundation's existence it has never happened that one source has given such a large sponsorship. The project to date has cost R1,2m.

"I believe meeting Tasneem was a Godsend," said Bunnik.

Allie said she was moved by Bunnik's determination and persistence when the going got tough, and Sithole's caring and generous heart towards the children. She was thrilled to be part of the project.

"There were emotion and tears in the eyes of this six-foot man as he told me that sadly in the waiting for the gym he had lost one of his best students - aged 15 - to the perils of township life without hope - alcohol, drugs, and a life of petty crime," said Allie.

Bunnik has since returned to Holland to do further fundraising for another unit to be erected next to the gym for the creative centre, where she wants to teach handwork to adults as a means to earn an income, and also fun educational activities for children. 

She is a creative woman who designs and makes jewellery that is sold to help raise funds for her Angels4Angels foundation.

Marieke Holland and Daniel Sithole cut the ribbon to open the gym.

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