Baby saved from burning building by Durban mom and crowd of heroes
It should never have come to this...
We all know that the current situation in KZN, and some parts of Gauteng, have become extremely dire.
Read: South Africans volunteer to help communities and businesses clean up
People are worried about finding food, other supplies, and essential goods.
Communities feel unsafe and like their calls for help are not being heard.
READ: #KZNShutdown: Here's a list of businesses that are open in various areas
No matter where we look, we are seeing how our neighbours, local businesses, and the people we love and care about are being put into the scariest situations.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and when these things happen across the border or in another country far from us, we see these pictures that are meant to shock and communicate how serious the situation has become.
READ: Fires, looting, violence. Now where to from here?
But it's always far away and never in our backyard.
Until it is.
Captured one those images that will forever live in my heart. Amongst the chaos there were heroes today, they caught her and she is fine. @nomsa_maseko pic.twitter.com/YX8KTap8ct
— Thuthuka Zondi (@ThuthukaZ) July 13, 2021
READ: Residents of unrest-hit Phoenix urged not to take law into own hands
In a desperate attempt to escape looters that had set fire to a building, which quickly became engulfed in flames, a Durban mother switched to her last resort - throwing her child off a roof.
Luckily, there was a group of helpers and heroes who were ready to help her and her daughter to safety.
READ: AA: Riots, looting could impact fuel supply
The mother threw her daughter to the helping hands below and an eyewitness reports that the child was returned to their mother and they both escaped unharmed.
An eyewitness also reported that they were completely traumatised after witnessing this. One can only begin to imagine what the mother and child must have been feeling, and the emotional and mental scars they will probably have to live with forever:
The child had to be thrown out of a building engulfed by fire and be caught by strangers. It was traumatising to me as someone watching it unfolding. No this protest must stop
— Michael Loyiso Maneli (@manelimike90) July 13, 2021
READ: Insurance specialist has advice for KZN small businesses affected by #KZNShutdown
While this story is still heartbreaking, it is important to try and remain focused on all the good and positive that is still happening within the communities around us.
All is not yet lost.
We also know that you are tired, angry, frustrated, and maybe even feeling completely hopeless.
It might not be a lot but we just want to tell you:
Main image courtesy of Nomsa Maseko/BBC