Nkimi is alive!

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NKIMI Ngema, the 67-year-old single father of Endabayakhe, who earns a living through collecting firewood on Zululand’s busiest roads, was again knocked down by a passing motor vehicle on the John Ross Parkway on Saturday.

But as motorists feared the worst driving past the mangled wreck, fears were allayed late Monday afternoon when the Zululand Observer confirmed that Nkimi fortunately escaped the accident unharmed.

Chairperson of the Charles Glass Society, Donald Bruins-Lich said Nkimi arrived at the South African Breweries (SAB) depot in Empangeni on Monday morning to report that the cart had been badly smashed.

‘Nkimi is fine and is uninjured. A car reportedly hit the trolley from the back. We are going to arrange to pick up the trolley and have it repaired,’ said Bruins-Lich.

The Zululand Observer has in the past written several heart-warming stories about Nkimi, who was hit by a motor vehicle on the John Ross Parkway three years ago, with the mangled pieces of his wood cart found by a passing driver.

Nkimi had spent a year in Ngwelezana Hospital for his injuries. Then in 2013, Richards Bay Panelbeaters, in conjunction with SAB built him a new wood cart. Nkimi collects firewood for a living, and then sells it to the mamas who prepare food for commuters at Empangeni B Rank.

Commonly seen pushing his trolley on the N2, the John Ross Parkway, Empangeni Rail and on the town’s outskirts, Nkimi has been able to take his two sons through school with the money he makes from collecting and selling wood.

Concerned about Nkimi’s wellbeing following the accident, readers took to the ZO’s social media platforms on Monday morning while the Zululand Observer was inundated with calls enquiring about his condition.

There is no doubt that as soon as he has his wheels again, Nkimi will be back on his red express in no time.