Benson Laka, a BP petrol attendant, was reunited with Tembeka Sonkwele, whose life he had changed through his kindness.
Image: Zelda Venter
What began as an ordinary stop to put in petrol became an extraordinary story of kindness and humanity when a petrol attendant spotted that the motorist he was attending to was severely depressed, and he went the extra mile, which resulted in a life-changing moment for her.
Not only did Benson Laka fill her tank, but he also filled her with hope, Tembeka Sonkwele, a resident of Pretoria East, said.
Last year, Tembeka drove into BP Winmore in Moreleta Park, feeling overwhelmed by life. At the time, she was unemployed and navigating a difficult period personally and financially.
She was simply trying to get through the day. What she didn’t expect was that a routine stop to fill her tank would lead to a moment that would change her luck.
“I quickly went to the petrol station that morning, feeling very down, as I had just lost my job and I did not know how to make ends meet. I did not even know if I had enough money in my account for petrol. But Benson was a godsend.”
At the time, Nedbank was running a Greenbacks Rewards competition in partnership with BP, where motorists stood a chance to win a brand-new Mini Cooper for swiping their Nedbank card for fuel. Laka saw the competition as an opportunity to lift Sonkwele’s mood.
As he thought she could also save some money by enrolling for the programme, he offered to help her register for the programme. But Sonkwele did not have her phone on her, as she had left it at home.
Laka allowed her to go and fetch her phone before settling her account. When she returned, he registered her and subsequently swiped her bank card so that she could both receive some rewards and enter the draw to win a new car. This dream came true when Sonkwele was unexpectedly informed that she had won the car.
The two reunited on Thursday when Sonkwele and a team from Nedbank went to the petrol station to honour Laka for his good deed. Nedbank gave him a cheque for R20,000, of which R10,000 will be invested for his children’s education. His employers at BP gave him a further R5,000.
Laka explained that empathy is something that comes easily to him. “Sometimes when customers come in, you can sense they are carrying a lot on their shoulders. When Tembeka arrived that day, I could see she was going through a difficult time. I thought telling her about the competition would give her hope for another day.”
For Sonkwele, the prize was only part of the story. What stayed with her most was the kindness and encouragement she received on a day when she needed it most.
“I wanted to come back and thank him because his service and positivity helped change the direction of my story. After Nedbank handed over the car to me, I informed them of my intentions to thank Benson personally, and they saw the importance of this gesture and helped me celebrate someone who truly deserves recognition.”
Nedbank said the story highlights the important yet often overlooked role played by frontline service champions across South Africa’s service economy.
Laka, who will use some of the money to settle his lobola debt, said: “I always try to give my best to every customer because you never know what someone might be going through. Sometimes people arrive here worried or stressed, and if I can make their day a little better with a kind gesture, then I feel I have done my job well.”
zelda.venter@inl.co.za