Good Samaritan in N2 highway robbery
But victim says attack won’t stop her from ‘giving back’
AGOOD Samaritan fell victim to crime when she was robbed while handing out rugby and soccer balls to children in Khayelitsha. Brenda Meiring, 61, has been living between South Africa and her native Canada for 18 years. Four years ago, she moved to Stellenbosch on a more permanent basis.
“My husband and I lived between South Africa and Canada, but we decided to settle here, because it’s a lovely country.”
After seeing the plight of the needy, she decided to donate whatever she could, whenever she could.
Meiring befriended a group of young boys who play soccer on the “grassy field” along the N2, opposite Site C, Khayelitsha.
“After seeing that not everyone is living a comfortable life, I decided to give back whenever I can, and I have been giving soccer balls to children in Khayelitsha next to the N2 for four years. I decided to give the children soccer and rugby balls since it’s the Rugby World Cup.”
But last week, “as I was talking to them, a man approached, asking for a R10 and saying he was hungry”.
“I told him that I didn’t have money on me. It was then that he went to my car and grabbed my handbag.
“Inside my bag was my passport, visa and car and house keys. I had also just withdrawn a large amount of money.
“My husband was in the car, and tried chasing after him but he disappeared,” said Meiring.
Traffic department officials told the Cape Argus the incident happened along the N2, near the Mew Way off-ramp.
“I’m still heart-sore from the incident because it happened in front of children, which is just not right.”
Meiring said she was touched by the “outpouring of sympathy from the boys and their families”.
“I have travelled all around the world and, even though this was a terrible experience, I have never before seen such love as I experienced after the incident. The children gave me hugs and their parents came to sympathise with me.
“From the police, to the traffic officers, to the children and their families… it was such a loving experience.”
Meiring said the robbery would not deter her from doing good.
“If I stop giving to the children in Khayelitsha because of what happened, I will be giving that criminal power. I won’t stop… I can’t give up on the needy because I feel no-one chooses where they are born.”
Many South African emigrants have cited the high crime rate in South Africa as their reason for leaving the country, but Meiring said she wasn’t going anywhere.
“I travel a lot and out of all the countries, South Africa has the most wonderful people. We just need to change by helping each other.”
Meiring adopted a boy from Kayamandi in Stellenbosch who will be graduating from university this year.
Police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed a case of robbery was being investigated after the incident occurred on Heritage Day on the N2.
Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said security had been intensified along the N2 over recent months.
“We have CCTV cameras, motion detectors and night vision cameras installed on the N2. We have also increased patrols extensively and the rate of response has increased.”
Smith warned motorists not to make themselves vulnerable by stopping on the highway unnecessarily.