Emergencies need a split-second decision. For 38-year-old Zikhaya Sithole, it was to sacrifice his life for two babies.
Zikhaya was walking with a friend when they saw a burning shack. They heard a woman scream and they ran towards her. It turns out that it was her home that was burning. She was screaming because her one-year old and two-year old sons were left inside it.
Upon hearing it, Zikhaya said, “That’s when I pulled my hat over my face and ran into the flames. “When I got inside the shack, I heard the children crying. I grabbed the child who was on the bed and ran out.”
In the process of saving the first child, he didn’t realize that he had also burned his face and arms. But he didn’t mind them at first so he wanted to go back to the burning hut. But he was not able to go back because the flames became too strong and uncontrollable. “But I never regretted entering the shack. I have saved a child. I wish I could have saved them both,” he said.
The burns that he acquired were on his face. His eyes became too sensitive because of the burns and his hands were injured as well. It was so severe that he is now not able to do his work as a welder anymore.
His partner, Mapaseka Monareng said that they were shocked to see him come home all burnt and injured. They called the paramedics to help him. She said, “I am proud of him for what he did.”
His heroic act came to the ears of Dr Convy Baloyi, President of African Covenant. He said that what Zikhaya was pure bravery and was something that gave hope to all men. “We will journey with him through his healing process. We don’t have much to offer, but we’ll work with him,” he said.
Rapper, K.O. along with BI Phakathi shared a heart-warming tribute to Zikhaya saying that they want to celebrate the life of the hero. They took Zikhaya grocery shopping and gave him financial support as well.
Since he was put out of work because of his injuries, Zikhaya said he appreciates all the support he receives.
Our lives are not meant to be lived in isolation. We are meant to help in one way or another and have an impact on society. The sacrifice of our hero is very difficult to emulate but we must at least strive to do something for the good of others.
Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his life for those who believe in God. What’s more is that he did not just save us from the eternal punishment from our sins, he also gave us the right to become children of God. As if we are children, then we are rightful heirs to the kingdom.
This is why we can live a great life because of the assurance and the achievement that Jesus finished on the cross. This way, we can sacrifice everything we have here on earth because we know that our true home is in heaven.