Hope has taken the wheel for Sandy and her faithful H1 minibus.
South Africa (26 March 2026) – Being a single mom since the age of 30, Sandy has spent her adult life working to stay two steps ahead of the curveballs. Even while navigating her own challenges, she has been the helper others turn to, the person who shows up when it matters.
“I can’t drive past a person running in the road to somewhere, or see a person in the pouring rain, cursing those with cars, I have to stop and pick them up. My desire to help surpasses any other thought.” she says. “If a friend is in need, I am there. If my family call for help, I am there. I offer solutions, I am the solution, I just help. I will be by your side and I have no clue what drives that side of me, except that its in my blood.”
Her passion and her lifeline for supporting her family are guiding her. For years, her loyal minibus has carried her and her guests through the Kruger, the Panorama Route, Pilanesberg, Soweto and the surrounding Gauteng areas.
It all began when she started taking international volunteers who worked at her brother’s vervet monkey rehabilitation centre around the Kruger. After discovering her passion for sharing the beauty of our natural world with others, she qualified as an FGASA nature guide and launched her tour business.
“I love the child-like, raw innocence of international or first-time visitors to the Kruger, watching their emotional joy when they see their favourite wild animal in real life for the first time. If I could be in the park all day every day, showing guests not only the beauty of the park but teaching them about the animals and nature, I would,” she shares.
Being able to earn a living doing something she genuinely enjoys means everything, especially as a single mom. But late last year, the minibus she relies on for all her tours gave in after ongoing issues.
“In December it decided it was the end of the road. I had it towed from Polokwane…I will need to refurb the engine or buy a new one – or send my loyal H1 to a metal graveyard.”
Without a working vehicle, earning enough to fix or replace it becomes incredibly difficult. Being a provider, Sandy has had to find ways to keep going.
“Whilst I made good profit in November and December after a very busy season and was seeing the light at the end of the creditors tunnel, I have had to hire a mini-van three times in the last three months… Any profit I had has gone to rentals.”
Losing something so closely tied to your livelihood isn’t easy, and asking for help isn’t either, but she has since launched a Thundafund campaign to help close the gap. It’s a last resort, but her wheels have now been out of action for months.
“I have swallowed humble pie more times than I can count and setting up this Thundafund account has been one of those instances.” she says. “But you need to whatever you can to make things happen even if sometimes you need to go cap in hand.”
So far, the campaign has raised R27,919 from 16 backers – many of whom have experienced Sandy’s tours.
‘No one deserves this more!’ wrote one donor in support. ‘You are amazing at storytelling & we need you to continue doing what you are amazing at doing!’ shared another. ‘You always give so much of yourself, unconditionally, – it’s time it comes back to you.’
The support has been a ray of light for Sandy, but with the cost for repairs set at R220,000 and only 16 days left on the campaign, there’s still a way to go. Hope has taken the wheel as she holds onto something South Africans understand deeply. That kindness, or Ubuntu, has a way of carrying us through.
“Sometimes the little guy needs a little help. If we each, in our own small way, can help one person, whether it be a small act of kindness or help over a boulder in the path, then we should. Not because we expect anything in return, but because it makes us a better person and gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that we made another person’s life a little better.”
If you’d like to support Sandy and help get her back on the road, you can find her campaign here.
“Getting the wheels turning again would help me get back to being the Proudly South African tour guide who brags about all the positives our wonderful country has to offer.” says Sandy.
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