A leaked video of Man Refusing BI Phakathi’s Cash Offer, Sparking Debate About Dignity and the Right to Say No
A video circulating on social media showing philanthropist BI Phakathi offering money to a man lying on the ground has sparked a wider debate about poverty, dignity and the right of people to refuse assistance.
In the video, Phakathi approaches the man and offers him money. Instead of accepting, the man responds: “Ha ke batle chelete ea hao. Ke na le trolley. Ke push trolley,” loosely meaning: “I don’t want your money. I have a trolley. I push a trolley.”
His response immediately divided social media users.
Some described his refusal as pride, while others argued that he was foolish to turn down free money. But the incident raises a bigger question: must a person accept help simply because others believe he needs it?
Phakathi was not wrong to offer assistance, and the man was equally not wrong to refuse it.
Kindness should remain an offer, not a command.
Too often, society assumes that people who appear poor must accept whatever is offered to them. Poverty is treated as though it removes a person’s right to make decisions about their own life.
The man’s reference to his trolley appears to suggest that, despite his circumstances, he believes he has a way of earning something for himself.
Whether people agree with his decision or not, the choice remained his.
The moment also challenges the familiar pattern of social-media charity videos, where a giver offers assistance, the recipient becomes emotional, expresses gratitude and the encounter ends with praise for the person providing the help.
This time, the expected script did not happen.
The recipient simply said no.
His refusal does not diminish Phakathi’s gesture, nor does Phakathi’s offer diminish the man’s dignity. Both individuals exercised a choice.
The incident is a reminder that having little money does not mean having fewer rights.
A person may be struggling financially and still value independence, work and the ability to decide what they are prepared to accept from others.
There is nothing wrong with helping people. Society needs generosity and compassion.
But genuine generosity must also recognise the dignity of the person being helped — including their right to refuse.
Sometimes the most respectful response to a person saying, “No, I will work for myself,” is simply to respect the answer.