“He Deserves Every Cent”: Mzansi Raises R60k for Durban Fire Rescue Hero via BackaBuddy, SA Moved

• A BackaBuddy campaign called 'A Hero Called Ayakha' was launched to reward Durban chef Ayakha Godlwana for his bravery during a house fire
• Ayakha soaked himself with a hosepipe and entered a smoke-filled building three times to reach 74-year-old Doddy Teranes
• South Africans viewers said the 32-year-old deserved every cent raised for his heroic efforts

A Durban chef became the talk of South Africa after a crowdfunding campaign raised over R61,000 in just three days to honour his extraordinary act of courage. Ayakha Godlwana, 32, risked his life to save 74-year-old Doddy Teranes from a burning building on 3 September 2026. A BackaBuddy campaign titled "A Hero Called Ayakha" was launched to reward him, and the public responded with overwhelming generosity.

Ayakha's daring rescue

In his own account of what happened, Ayakha described soaking himself with a hosepipe before entering the smoke-filled building — not once, but three times. Thick smoke made it impossible to see anything inside, so he came up with a quick-thinking solution: he sprayed water onto the ceiling so that Teranes could follow the sound and movement toward him.

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"He is a hero": Durban chef Ayakha Godlwana honoured by KIBA for brave restaurant fire rescue

Once he reached her, he carried her to safety on his back. It was a rescue that put his own life at serious risk, and one that left South Africans deeply moved.

Mzansi says he deserves every cent

The campaign reached its goal in a matter of days, with IOL News reporting that locals called Ayakha an inspiration. South Africans in the comments section could not hold back their admiration: Ayakha's story is proof that everyday people can do extraordinary things — and that South Africa still knows how to show up for its heroes.

@Charmaine Kruger wrote:

"Well done 🪙🤭."

@Beverley Anne Christian said:

"How wonderful, he truly deserves every cent 🙏."

@Delia Vaz shared:

"Hooray, he so deserves it for his bravery!"

@Myra Bush added:

"Wonderful news to someone so deserving of it."

@Sharon West said:

"Thank you. This young man deserves every cent."

@Marie Spruyt wrote:

"Thank you for making life a little easier for this man and his heroic efforts."

3 Briefly News articles about acts of bravery

• Durban chef Ayakha Godlwana was officially honoured with a bravery award by the KZN International Business Association (KIBA) on September 8, 2026, after entering a burning restaurant to rescue a 74-year-old woman.
• Briefly News previously reported that Coolstorybru praised Durban chef Ayakha Godlwana for risking his life by entering a burning building to rescue an elderly woman trapped inside a flaming restaurant.
• A selfless young man was named a real-life superhero after carrying children on his back to help them cross a flowing stream safely.

Source: Briefly News