#SONA2016 protesters show humanity

Photo: Carla Bernardo/ANA

Photo: Carla Bernardo/ANA

Published Feb 11, 2016

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Cape Town - During the chaos outside of Parliament in Cape Town on Thursday, strangers came together to help an injured elderly man.

“Excuse me sir, may I help you?” asked a towering man in a two-tone blue shirt.

He was talking to elderly African National Congress (ANC) supporter, Ntombeko Adonis, who had fallen during a scuffle between party protesters and the police.

The elderly man, who was dressed smartly in a suit with his ANC t-shirt, had fallen and dislocated his shoulder.

The stranger knelt down in front of the elderly man and began to explain some basic first aid.

Soon, with the help of fellow ANC members and Townhouse Hotel staff, the man's arm was in a makeshift sling, made from bedsheets.

Attempts to find transportation to the closest hospital - Christian Barnard - in the heavily secured and gridlocked city centre were unsuccessful due to preparations for President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address which was due to take place on Thursday evening.

According to staff at the hotel, an ambulance had been called but was yet to respond.

The ANC's provincial spokesperson Yonela Diko, who was on hand to assist the two strangers, commented on the action between the two strangers, one white, one black.

“That was symbolic,” said Diko.

He added the elderly man was courageous as he was at the forefront of the protests despite the obvious danger.

“The old man was brave, it is what we have come to appreciate about the old guard of the ANC,” said Diko.

As the elderly man sat outside of the hotel, staff and ANC members continued to look for transportation for the injured man.

African News Agency

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