A Lesson From Father To Son

Sibusiso was a caring, well-respected member of the community but his only child was a selfish boy who still had a lot to learn.

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THE humble Mr Mjozi from Mandenini town was widely known and loved in his community.He was quite shy but his confidence was boosted whenever he was able to help the people around him.

He loved to see others happy, and would never go anywhere without lending a caring hand to a crying heart.

Sibusiso, which means “blessing”, was the name given to him by his community for all the things he had done for them – all the kids who now had school uniforms, all the mothers who had food in their homes, and all the men who had been given parttime work to see them through hard times.

But Sibusiso didn’t want praise and recognition – he felt blessed to be able to help.

And in many ways he was – his businesses were running well, he had a big house, a beautiful and supportive wife, and a son he adored.

His son’s name was Sipho, which means “gift”. But unlike his father, Sipho was not the giving type. He was arrogant, self-centred and out-spoken, and he didn’t approve of his father’s efforts to assist others.

“Father, why are you doing all this?” he asked. “We are working long hours to keep these businesses running and you’re just giving everything away.

“You buy food and clothes and pay school fees for children you don’t even know. You have got to stop this. If you don’t, I’ll have to quit working for you and get myself a new place to live and a new job where I will work shorter hours and earn more cash.”

“But son, it’s good to help those in need,” his father insisted. “Come with me, I want to show you something.”

Carrying a spade in his left hand, Mr Mjozi senior lead his son into the garden. He jammed the shovel deep into the earth and removed two seeds from his pocket.

“Son, dig me a hole,” he instructed.