"I Had Goose Bumps": BI Phakathi Stops KZN Man on His Way to Borrow From a Loan Shark, Mzansi Reacts

• BI Phakathi stopped a KZN man on the roadside who was on his way to borrow money from a mashonisa
• The man could barely afford basic expenses and had no other option before BI stepped in with a wad of cash
• Viewers who watched the Facebook video were moved by the man's visible distress and transformation

A KwaZulu-Natal man was heading to a loan shark for a loan when BI Phakathi intercepted him on the roadside on 1 October 2026 and changed the direction of his day entirely.

BI Phakathi, the well-known South African philanthropist famous for his anonymous-style acts of generosity, filmed the encounter in a selfie-style video on the side of a road near a grassy hillside. The man he met was in a tight spot, unable to cover basic costs like petrol, and was on his way to borrow money from a loan shark, known locally as a mashonisa, before BI stepped in.

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See how a desperate situation was turned around

Mashonisas are informal moneylenders who often charge high interest rates, making it difficult for borrowers to escape the debt cycle. For the man in the video, this was the only option left before BI appeared.

BI handed him a wad of banknotes, sparing him the burden of a loan that could have cost far more than the original amount borrowed. The man's reaction was immediate and visible. He went from visibly distressed to animated and smiling, overwhelmed by the unexpected help.

View the Facebook post below:

Mzansi reacts to BI Phakathi's act of kindness

South Africans who watched the video on BI Phakathi's page were deeply affected and flooded the comments section with their thoughts:

@Happiness Mangi said:

"Can see the pain in his eyes, imagine how he was going to pay back that mashonisa."

@Elizabeth Starenberg wrote:

"Wow God, he was on his way to borrow a R100. I'm so happy for him."

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@Mpho Manyanye observed:

"The power of money. He looked ill, suddenly he is energetic and all smiles."

@Charlotte Molapisi shared:

"I had goose bumps, shaking, wet all over not urine. Yes, these are the people who need you Mr Phakathi."

@Ncediswa Velem added:

"If an angel was a person, amazing job Mr BI."

@Napo De First said:

"My dream is to do what Mr Phakathi does."

@Tebogo Frans Maboane joked:

"Why don't you see me at the street mara 😞"

More Briefly News stories on BI Phakathi

• SPAR teamed up with BI Phakathi, Mbali Nhlapho and DJ Karri to surprise outdoor workers across South Africa with practical Spring Relief care packs.
• BI Phakathi’s emotional encounter with an ill homeless man left Mzansi concerned and prompted calls for further assistance.
• BI Phakathi surprised Takealot driver Pagati with a cash donation while he was working, leaving South Africans touched by the kind gesture.

Source: Briefly News