Ubuntu at the airport? Schalk Bezuidenhout reminds us why there’s no place like South Africa

Comedians on social media are always a riot. Their relatable personal observations, which can be hilarious and thought-provoking, never fail to entertain.

Take Schalk Bezuidenhout, for example. Returning to South Africa after his UK tour of “Hey Hey Divorcé,” he recently shared a quirky travel tip.

In a lighthearted Instagram video, he offered a key tip, noting with emphasis: "Never take for granted how nice South Africans are!"

“Hello mense, it’s Schalk Bezuidenhout here. I'm back in beautiful, beautiful South Africa before I leave again in a week for New Zealand.

"I actually look like an All Black today, but mense, I'm also grateful for South Africa when I travel, because there's certain things that we take for granted; that we think is an international concept, but you realise it's actually quite a South African thing. 

“Like, for example, in South Africa, always. If you're in a public space and all your kak is there, and you quickly want to go to the toilet and not take all your stuff with you, it's standard practice that you will ask the person next to you. ‘Just keep an eye for me, please. Just keep an eye for me, there’ (with hand gestures). 

“And people will. People will because we understand crime, we understand the risk; we want to help each other.”

He continued: “Like at the airport, always. You take off your backpack, you park your bag, you take out your charger, you plug in your phone, and then you quickly want to go to the toilet, and then you ask the person, just keep an eye for me, and people always go, yes, of course, of course.”

But he was taken aback to realise that such kind gestures are not reciprocated elsewhere in the world.

“That's not an international concept, I've realised,” he shared with his trademark deadpan expression. “I was at Heathrow yesterday (meaning Monday), waiting to board my flight. 

“I had my little chill station set up, my coffee, my phone was plugged in charging, and I asked this British man sitting right there: ‘So I just quickly want to go to the toilet. I won't be five minutes. Can you just keep an eye on my stuff, please?.

“He was like, ‘Ah, I can't do that, mate. Can't do that”

“I was like, I don't understand. Why not? 

“He said, ‘I can't take responsibility for your stuff, mate. Can’t take responsibility. Sorry.’

“I was like, ‘Are you f*****g serious?’ I had to back up all my kak, plug out the charger, roll it up, put it in my bag, put my laptop back in my backpack, pack all that shit to the bathroom for a piss. Seriously? 

“So, don't take us for granted. We are nice people here in South Africa. We will look after your stuff.”

Of course, followers, tickled by his video, weighed in on the dilemma. Some agreed, others played devil's advocate. 

@mrs_montgomery2025 wrote: “Ubuntu is alive and well here in South Africa ❤️❤️.”

“One of the first things I tell friends is that South Africans are the NICEST humans!!!! Reason I fell in love with your country! ❤️,” added sherabm.

@_skyehealth pointed out: “I hear you 🤣🤣 but it’s because you were at the airport. At the airport we don’t watch people’s things, no matter how nice they are.”

@kathleenelisabethdubois noted: “Same thing happened, I asked a guy to watch my things at Frankfurt Airport, he nearly passed out in shock 😲 🤯♥️.”

“It’s because Europe and especially west-Europe is overregulated, and people follow those rules. So they can’t even be human and help someone out,” offered @sjammat.

Here is a quick guideline for managing your belongings at the airport

• Keep all items with you: Never leave your bags unattended. If you must leave your seat, ensure you take all your belongings with you.
• Do not handle others' bags: Politely decline any request from a stranger to watch their bag, regardless of how trustworthy they appear. 
• Report suspicious items: If you notice an unattended bag, report it immediately to security personnel. Do not attempt to monitor the item yourself. 
• Understand the risk: Holding a stranger's bag in many countries carries significant risk, including potential immediate questioning, detention, or criminal charges if the bag contains illegal goods. 
• Maintain vigilance when using facilities: If you are travelling with children or need to use the restroom, take all your belongings with you instead of entrusting them to a stranger.

Schalk's perspective - that simple kindness should prevail - is an ideal one, but it doesn't align with the world we live in. 

Unfortunately, the risk of crime has led to heightened caution among travellers, who are now extra wary of such gestures, as there are documented cases where these acts of goodwill have led to negative consequences.