Top judge’s food for thought
AN ACT of kindness is not forgotten, no matter who you are or how long ago it happened.
Just ask Raymond Zondo, who has ascended to the top post of deputy chief justice – a meteoric rise thanks, in part, to the generosity of Port Shepstone businessman Suleman Bux, who has since retired.
About 40 years ago Zondo was a law student and his family were going through tough times. His mother had lost her job two years before he matriculated.
Bux stepped in, agreeing to help the family with food from his supermarket in Ixopo.
Tears were shed during Justice Zondo’s interview with the Judicial Service Commission in April when he spoke about the simple act of kindness.
The video of the interview resurfaced recently.
In it, Justice Zondo said he had known he could pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer only if arrangements were made to ensure his family had something to eat.
He then approached Bux for a loan.
The former businessman, 76, who retired in Port Shepstone, recounted the story.
“He was a student. He had just completed his matric and approached me for help. He said he had a bursary to take up law (but) had no support from his mother or his brothers and sisters.”
Bux said Zondo had asked him for a loan.
“I told him it’s better to give you vouchers (for food) because money can be used elsewhere and not on studies.”
It was arranged that Bux would give Zondo’s family groceries.
“I said: ‘ When you come back (after his studies), we can make a settlement then.’
“He completed his studies and came back to make a settlement.”
But the businessman did not want the money back.
“I told him whatever I’ve done for him was done and he must now help somebody else. I’ll be happy with that. He had reached his goal. We, as Muslims, just help somebody and don’t want to talk about it.”
Bux said he spoke to Justice Zondo on the phone recently to arrange a meeting after the fasting month of Ramadaan.
“At the moment (during Ramadaan) you can’t move around from place to place,” he said.
Bux said he did not want any further publicity.
“I helped him reach his goal and I’m happy. And that’s it.”
In the video, Justice Zondo said he would have been unable to study law had Bux not helped his family out with food.
“Each month my mother would collect groceries at his shop until I finished my degree.”