Teen muso stunned by mystery donor

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Mpumelelo Khumalo from Umlazi with his new keyboard bought by a mysterious benefactor on Friday. Picture: MARILYN BERNARD

A mysterious benefactor made the dreams of an aspiring musician come true when he bought him a R13 000 keyboard after hearing him play at a local music store on Friday.

The do-gooder, a Gauteng businessman, left after paying for it without giving his name. It is the second time he has done this, says piano salesman Michael Lieveaux, from Pavillion Music in the Pavillion Shopping Centre.

Lieveaux assisted the stranger, who, he said, appeared to be in his late 40s, on both occasions.

The first incident happened two years ago when the businessman also bought a keyboard for a young boy because he was impressed with his skills.

And this week, 16-year-old Mpumelelo Khumalo from Umlazi was the lucky beneficiary.

Khumalo was still in shock when he spoke to the Sunday Tribune on Friday, saying he had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. He said he had come to the mall on Friday to do some shopping, but was drawn to the music store.

“I was looking at the different keyboards they had. I played a few songs on one I particularly liked but knew I could never afford.”

Up to that point he had been practising on a second-hand keyboard bought for R700 by his mother.

Khumalo said a sales assistant approached him, saying a customer wanted him to keep playing as he appreciated his talent.

“He then asked me to play on another keyboard, asking me which I liked better between the two. I chose the Yamaha DGX-6400. When the assistant told me that the man was going to buy it for me I was shocked. I was so thankful I started crying. I could only dream of having such an awesome keyboard.”

Lieveaux said not much is known about the businessman except that he comes to Durban on holiday.

“He is a fan of music but has never bought anything except these two keyboards. I have asked him to leave his name and number, but he refuses. He doesn’t want the publicity; it’s just a real act of kindness.”

Khumalo, a pupil at Amanzimtoti High School, has plans to pursue music after school.

His older sister Buyi, 20, who rushed to the music store after hearing the news, said it was the happiest day of her brother’s life. “He hasn’t stopped smiling since.”

charmel.bowman@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune