More than R50 000 raised for chef who risked his life to save elderly woman
He was simply a chef doing his job when he heard screams coming from a burning building. Minutes later, Ayakha Godlwana, 32, was risking his life to save a woman he had never met – an act of courage that has since touched people across South Africa.
More than R50 000 has been raised for the Durban chef through the BackaBuddy campaign “A Hero Called Ayakha”, launched to thank him for rescuing 74-year-old Doddy Teranes from the burning Delfi Greek Taverna in Morningside.
Doddy was trapped upstairs during the September 3 fire after going to check on her parrot, Charlie Boy. Her sister, Maria Teranes, ran outside screaming for help. Ayakha, heard the cries and went into action.
With no formal firefighting training, he poured water over himself and removed his shirt before attempting to enter the smoke-filled building. It took several attempts, but on his fourth try he found Doddy and carried her out on his back. “At that moment I had no thoughts or fear. I just knew that I had to help,” he said. His bravery initially made him a mystery hero, as details of the rescue spread on social media without his name being known. Durban residents later helped identify him, and the story quickly spread beyond the city. Ayakha has remained humble despite the attention.“I was happy to help and glad that nobody was injured,” he said.
For the Delphi family, his actions brought immense relief amid an otherwise devastating loss.The fire destroyed the restaurant and the family home above it, leaving Doddy, Maria and Manuel Teranes with little more than the clothes they were wearing. Decades of possessions, documents and memories were lost. Nick Landzanakis, one of the owners and a family member, said the family was deeply grateful to their “superhero”. “We’re obviously very, very grateful for Doddy’s life being saved by our superhero,” he said.
But,Doddy is still recovering from the ordeal and has been coughing since the fire, with the family concerned about the impact on her lungs.“We’re trying to get her to a doctor to get her checked out,” Landzanakis said. As the family comes to terms with losing their home and restaurant, the community has rallied around them, offering accommodation, meals, clothing, appliances and assistance with rebuilding.
The family has also launched a separate BackaBuddy campaign, “Delphi Will Rise From the Ashes”, which has raised about R27 000 towards its R300 000 target. Landzanakis said the response had been overwhelming, with support coming from neighbours, customers, businesses and complete strangers. “There’s just so much pouring in with people trying to help us and help the family,” he said.
For the family, the generosity is a reminder of the special place Delfi held in the community.
The property was once the landmark EFI Supermarket before the family opened Delfi in the early 2000s. They lived above the restaurant for decades, making it more than a business – it was their home and a place where generations of the family gathered. Landzanakis described it as the family’s meeting point and patriarchal home. “Delphi was a bit of an institution and had so many followers and supporters, but the community there and around the shop was absolutely amazing. I can’t believe how people all just stand together,” he said.
The family said the campaign for Ayakha was also launched to give people a trusted way to show their appreciation and avoid scammers taking advantage of the tragedy.What began as a devastating fire has sparked an extraordinary chain of kindness – a stranger heard a desperate cry and risked his life, Durban rallied to find its mystery hero, and now the community is standing with a family that has lost almost everything. For the Delphi family, Ayakha will forever be the man who walked into the flames and brought their loved one home.
