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Billionaire Rewards Grandmother Who Walked 10 Miles To Help Cyclone Victims

March 29, 2019

A 71-year-old woman walked 10 miles to donate clothing and kitchen supplies to victims of a cyclone in southern Africa — and her incredible act of kindness and compassion has influenced one of Africa's wealthiest people to ensure she lives comfortably for the rest of her life.

Credit: Highlands Presbyterian Church - Harare

Plaxedes Dilon, known as Gogo Magombo, wakes up at 4 a.m. daily and walks long distances selling clothing. She had just returned home from a long day of vending when she heard of the cyclone disaster on the radio.

"I immediately packed the clothes and jackets that I earlier purchased for resell and carried my bag to Star FM the following morning," she told ZimLive.

Telecoms tycoon Strive Masiyiwa, who is Africa's eighth richest person, learned of Magombo's act of generosity on social media and announced that he will be building her a home, saying "she gave more than us all".

"This gogo had no 50c for combi, walked the whole way from Mbare to Highlands just to donate her pots to give to people in chimanimani," Highlands Presbyterian Church wrote on Facebook.

Credit: AP/KB Mpofu

"This is the biblical 'widow's mite'," Masiyiwa wrote on Facebook. "What she did is one of the most remarkable acts of compassion I have ever seen. When this is over, I'm going to find her, and invite her to come and see me, if possible. Then I will spend time in prayer with her. Then I will build her a house, anywhere she wants in Zimbabwe. It will have solar power and running water. Then I will give her a monthly allowance of $1,000 for life."

Highlands Presbyterian Church, which received her donation, and Masiyiwa's companies have been leading relief efforts in Chimanimani and Chipinge, the districts worst hit by the cyclone.