An R132,000 Christmas Miracle: Anonymous Donor Clears 260 Lay-Buys at Pep Store
- An anonymous donor walked into a Pep store in Aberdeen and shockingly paid off all outstanding lay-buys
- The heartwarming donation directly benefited 260 families, allowing them to take home necessities just in time for Christmas
- The act of generosity sparked widespread praise and emotional reactions across South Africa
Source: Getty Images
Christmas came early for 260 families after an anonymous donor paid off all outstanding lay-buys at a Pep store in Aberdeen, Eastern Cape. The act of generosity took place on Monday, 15 December 2025, and quickly captured national attention.
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Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler shared the story on social media, where it soon went viral.
According to store staff, the donor simply walked in, asked how many lay-buys were outstanding, and then paid the full amount, a total of R132,000, on the spot.
PEP Chief Marketing Executive Beyers van der Merwe said the gesture left staff and beneficiaries deeply moved.
“We were completely surprised. This act of kindness gave 260 families the relief and dignity of taking home essentials such as school items and baby clothing, many just in time for the festive season,”he said.
The donation also aligns with the spirit of PEP’s Lay-Buy Buddy Initiative, launched in 2020 to help families in need settle their lay-buysSince its inception, the initiative has raised over R3.6 million and supported more than 150,000 families nationwide. This year, Pepkor announced an additional R1 million contribution to expand the programme’s reach.
South Africans react to the kind-hearted gesture
The story of selfless charity prompted an outpouring of emotion and praise from South Africans online.
@clivesibbs joked:
“Hi Wendy, please ask him to pass by BMW Sandton and check for Clive’s outstanding balance there! What a great human being.”
@sheraaz_hassan shared a personal reflection:
“After that story, I now go every January and settle a few lay-buys. School clothes aren’t cheap. I remember how my mother used to struggle with me.”
@LeisureBoy01 wrote:
“South Africans are extraordinarily kind people with good hearts. Thanks for sharing a story of true humanity and Ubuntu.”
@LizellS added:
“In all of this, I’m sure there was a single mother who didn’t know how she was going to pay that lay-bye.”
@LyndaMontage commented:
“Good people quietly change suffering in the world. A true hero to the poorest people. Thank you for your kindness. May the joy you spread multiply.”
Source: Facebook
3 articles on Christmas kindness
Acts of generosity and Christmas kindness have been making headlines across South Africa this festive season.
- In one viral TikTok video, a mother gifted her family a newly renovated bathroom for Christmas. The emotional clip showed her daughter in tears as she expressed gratitude, saying the renovation symbolised how far the family had come. Social media users praised the mother for her sacrifice and love.
- In another heartwarming initiative, DJ Black Coffee’s foundation launched a Christmas food programme titled “Feed the Family, Share the Joy.” While some online users debated whether the DJ could fund the project alone, especially after reports that he had bought a R157 million home in Cape Town, many commended him for giving back and supporting vulnerable communities during the festive period.
- Meanwhile, a sweet moment between a mother and daughter from the Eastern Cape also went viral after the mom bought matching Christmas dresses for the two of them. The daughter shared a TikTok video modelling the outfit she was asked to wear on Christmas Day. Tik TokUsers flooded the comments, praising the thoughtful gesture and reminding others that “it’s the thought that counts.”
Source: Briefly News
