Eurica Mapule Mokaba is a past volunteer of Bosco Youth Centre in Johannesburg. She shared her experience of what happened in her community in Orange Farm and how she responded. “A great example of a Good Upright Citizen,” Bro Clarence Watts, Social Communication Delegate for Africa South vice-province (AFM), states.

“The time Spar [supermarket] was looted I was watching other malls and being looted, and I was seeing such actions being done.  I heard people making noise outside. I decided to go and check for myself what was happening, only to see young and old carrying looted stuff such as alcohol, food, etc., and it broke my heart.

I remembered that yesterday [Sunday 11 July] I was at Spar to withdraw money as usual and to buy a tray of eggs and a bottle of mayonnaise. I was so lazy to buy groceries because I am lazy to carry 12.5 kg of maize meal. I postponed my shopping because a friend of mine told me to wait for the Tuesday specials, only to discover that our local Spar was looted.

I don't live far from Spar, it's actually 5 minutes’ walk to the shop. What inspired or motivated me to go and help with the clean-up was this guy from our area who was looking for volunteers to assist with the clean-up at Spar. I called him and asked if I can come volunteer, and if he had asked for permission to clean as I was scared that police might assume that we are criminals who came to finish the looting.

Around 9 am I took my broom and went to Spar.

Spar has helped with several projects in my community. Spar has served me and my family well for years and their staff were always smiling and helpful as I was one of their regular customers.  I am a leader at church; I felt like, why shouldn’t lead by example? When I took my broom walking to Spar people were stopping me and asking where I am going with a broom. When I explained they could not understand why I must clean because I didn't loot. They failed to understand why I must clean for free.

We have people whose reasoning is that if I didn't break it, I won't fix it or I won't work for free. They do not understand the concept of volunteering or shaping our community for the better.  Having seen what looters did and after cleaning the place I felt so much better; even the Spar staff were very appreciative 

I still have a long way to go in educating people about volunteering, helping each other, stop looting, don't take what is not yours. People worked hard to achieve what they have.  I am currently unemployed, and I wasn't going to sit and watch staff at Spar lose their jobs. I was not prepared to lose Spar because of other people’s foolishness or evil.

When I was walking back home with painful back, looking dirty, I was filled with joy and those I met now understand the concept of helping your community and protect what we have.”

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