South African writer leaves generous tip for verbally-abused waiter
A writer left close to R5,000 as a tip for a waiter who was being horribly abused by other customers at a local restaurant.
A Spur waiter was left a R4 tip by a group of customers who verbally abused him on his shift at their local restaurant.
Jared Ruttenberg – a South African travel writer – was on a writing assignment just outside East London in the Eastern Cape a couple of weeks ago when he heard of this incident.
Xolani Mbalo, a local waiter, experienced some verbal abuse from a group of friends and was then left a R4 tip, with a note saying it was for “hungry Africans’.
ALSO READ: The Bryan Adams Tribute Show performs your number one hits
Jared decided to help Xolani with something to make him feel a little better. He wrote Xolani a letter which accompanied a R4,444 tip!
Here’s what the simple note read:
“Xolani, I’m sorry that I was not able to meet you today. Please accept this small tip of R4444 ‘for hungry Africans’. Because what this country needs more of, is hungry Africans.
Hungry for knowledge.
Hungry for justice.
Hungry for hope.
Hungry to know that they are seen, known and valued.
Please know that you are seen, known, and valued. Please don’t let the bigoted actions of a few make you doubt yourself or doubt that there are good people out there. This tip is from a group of eleven people, none of whom know you or even each other – but wanted to express their frustration but also support for you.”