Toronto — What started as an ordinary winter morning turned into a life-saving mission that has captured hearts across Canada and Zimbabwe.
Tafadzwa “Taffy” Moyo, a 28-year-old nurse originally from Bulawayo, was jogging along Lake Ontario on Monday morning when she heard screams for help. A toddler had wandered away from a nearby park and fallen through thin ice.
Without hesitation, Taffy threw off her coat and rushed toward the freezing water. Eyewitnesses say she crawled carefully across the ice before plunging into the frigid lake to grab the struggling child.
“I didn’t even think. All I knew was someone’s baby needed help,” Taffy told reporters, still shivering as she recounted the moment. “I thought of my little niece back home in Zimbabwe and just went for it.”
Paramedics arrived minutes later and confirmed that the child, a 3-year-old boy named Lucas, was cold but safe—thanks to Taffy’s quick action.
The story went viral after a bystander uploaded cellphone footage of the rescue to TikTok. Within hours, the video racked up millions of views, with users praising Taffy as “the Zimbabwean angel in Canada.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow publicly thanked her, calling her bravery “the very best of humanity,” while Zimbabweans back home flooded social media with proud messages using the hashtag #HeroTaffy.
“I never imagined my morning run would make me famous,” Taffy said with a laugh. “I’m just grateful the little boy is okay. That’s all that matters.”
Local businesses have since rallied to support her—one gym offering a lifetime membership, and a local café renaming its signature latte “The Taffy Special.”
