Asian businessman oils bicycle overload man with donation of tricycle, opts for anonymity

Malawian businessman of Asian origin  in Lilongwe has asked to remain anonymous for his donation of a brand-new tricycle which he has bought and given  to Nsanje-based Mabvuto Mussa became a social media sensation after his arrest for carrying nine kindergarten children on a bicycle to school.

Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) reported that Mussa was arrested for “dangerously” ferrying nine pupils on his bicycle to a nursery school.

Pictures of him handcuffed in the back of a police van with his bicycle next to him went viral. Another picture of him riding a bicycle with nine children packed on it also flooded social media.

He was later released and warned to report at Chilomo Police Post on October 26 along with the parents of the pupils and the school committee for advice.

Respondents on social media called on the police to compensate him for loss of income after he was released, while others said the incident was a wake-up call for the government to realise that public transport was seriously needed.

Mussa was also showered with praise on social media platforms, with users stating he was a “hero” to the children.

Some people led by  Gerald Kampanikiza of  GCK Cameras Facebook page  mobilised  resources to buy him the tricycle and ease transport challenges in his community.

Upon learning about the story,  Malawian businessman of Asian origin decided to buy the K3 million-worth tricycle and donate to Mussa, to help him transport the children to and from school faster in a safe way.

But the businessperson who Nyasa Times has shielded  his details after he opted not to be named, said his donation was “an act of charity.”

He told Nyasa Times: “The spirit of this giving is not for publicity. It’s an act of charity.”

The businessman, who had just donated  facemasks to some schools in Lilongwe rural, also refused to have his donation publicised.

Kampanikiza handed over  the tricycle to Mussa at Gateway Mall in Lilongwe on Tuesday as the businessman also hired a vehicle to ferry Mussa and his new mode of transport back to Nsanje.

Mussa, the father of two,  was squealing with excitement after  receiving his tricycle.

“God blesses  this  Asian businessman for his generosity. I have been transporting children  on my bicycle  for three years  getting K3 000 for the roundtrip for every child from Sorjin, Nyambesa   and Njobvu villages  to St Joseph Nursery School [about eight kilometres away],” said Mussa.

He said “ “In my absence, some of the children have not been going to school due to lack of transports.”

Mussa claims he has never been involved in an accident  since 2017.

On his part,  Kampanikiza said: ”  Initially, we wanted to buy a motorcycle for him, but a sponsor suggested we buy a tricycle instead. We invited Mussa to Lilongwe and the sponsor bought him this tricycle.”

Mussa looks after his elderly relatives in the village, his family as well some orphans.