Ayakha Godlwana, a chef from Durban, has been hailed as a local hero after rescuing Doddy Teranes, left, who was trapped inside a burning building.
The Delphi Greek Taverna hero, Ayakha Godlwana, is expected to receive a hero’s award from the KwaZulu-Natal International Business Association (KIBA) on Tuesday.
The restaurant and the Teranes family home, which was above the taverna, were gutted by a fire on Thursday. Godlwana, 32, who works nearby, rushed to the scene to offer assistance. When he heard that Doddy Teranes, 74, was still upstairs, rushed up the stairs to assist without hesitation.
Teranes lost her way when the fire broke out in the taverna and smoke engulfed the flat above the restaurant. Despite being overcome with smoke himself, Godlwana managed to find Teranes and bring her to safety. Both were unharmed. Godlwana returned to the coffee shop where he works as a chef and continued to serve customers.
The president of KIBA, Omie Singh, is expected to hand Godlwana an award at the Palm Terrace Coffee Shop on Lilian Ngoyi Road, Durban. Godlwana said he was humbled by the messages he had received and visits to his workplace, congratulating him since the story of his heroic feat featured in the news on Friday. He said he was overwhelmed by the sudden interest in him.
