WATCH: Humble student receives scholarship for his good deed
"I hope that people follow this example and do good in the future," said Eckhard.
There has been an outpouring of support and gratitude shown towards Eckhard Binding across social media platforms. The finance student from the University of Free State was captured on camera earlier this month picking up litter in front of an onlooking crowd.
This comes after two women, sporting EFF regalia, can be seen repeatedly emptying the bin despite Eckhard's valiant attempts of ridding the campus of litter.
The video has garnered more than 1.5-million views since it was uploaded on Facebook, with a number of people coming forward in support of Binding's actions. Three Facebook users have offered Binding donations of R5,000, totaling R15,000, whilst a fourth user has offered to fully fund his varsity fees.
It is alleged the outsourcing of workers and particular cleaning staff had been the motive behind the EFF's decision to protest at the campus.
"In terms of what kept me from retaliating is that you know the only way you can stand up to a group of 100-200 people or anything bigger than yourself is by setting a good example. I mean, violence would never be an option for me. It would not solve anything," said Binding.
Binding says that his intention was never to oppose protest action but rather to keep the academic facility clean.
EFF leader Julius Malema has expressed his support of the party's UFS student command. Several people took to Twitter expressing their concerns over the party's representation in the video, many of whom questioned Malema on his method of leadership and whether he condoned their actions.
Malema responded in a swift manner, by confirming his support of those who had been involved in the incident and stated that he had been proud of their efforts in drawing attention to the issue at hand.
We can't, how do you call workers protest to order. There's no formula to peaceful protest, the question should be, was it a peaceful protest, and if the answer is yes, we move on. We can't allow the elite to dictate the form and content of the picket lines.
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) March 5, 2019
Binding says he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received since the video went viral. However, he has played down claims that he is an everyday hero.
"From all the donations, bursaries, the sponsorships, and stuff, I have so much appreciation for that. I did not think it would escalate to this scale, but above everything else I hope this whole thing will send a good message to the rest of the world, just to say do a little bit more and you would add value," he said.
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