Sello, who carried his injured dog 15km to save her life, now has some stability, and Option is bouncing around happily on three legs!

Free State, South Africa (7 April 2026) – Their story showed us all what love between a man and his best friend looks like. In October last year, Sello walked 15 kilometres, with Option wrapped up in his arms, to meet the team from Virginia SPCA on the road outside Odendaalsrus.

Option had been struck by a speeding car. With his last few rand spent on airtime, Sello made the call to save her. After being turned away by other shelters and organisations who had no capacity to help, the Virginia SPCA finally answered. They met him on the road, and took Option in.

The story blew up across South Africa. Support and donations poured in. Weeks later, Sello visited Option at the SPCA with tears in his eyes. That reunion moved thousands more. We were all crying snot en trane.

It’s almost six months since that moment happened. This week, the SPCA shared that Sello and his beloved Option paid them a visit, and they’re doing well. The picture (and video in the comments section linked here) are everything.

Option has made a full recovery. She lost a leg in the accident, but this little three-legged doggie doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo that life is supposed to be harder. She’s doing just fine. Sello is doing well, too. A previous update shared that he is employed through to the end of May – stability makes all the difference for a man who gives everything he has to the ones he loves.

The Virginia SPCA playfully asked the public to guess who the two mystery guests in their post were. Hundreds of people, who never forgot their names or their story, flooded in with warmth and recognition.

“We could never forget Sello and little Option.”

“Two champions!”

“Brave Option with his hero Sello.”

“Sello and Option attached by special love chain”

“Even Hollywood could not dream up such an incredible story of love, resilience and compassion.”

Sources: Linked above.

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Happiest Update About a Love Story That Had Us All Blubbering appeared first on Good Things Guy.

South Africans can exhale a little as the new fuel levy reduction offers much-needed relief for our pockets.

South Africa (31 March 2026) – The stress and anxiety surrounding April’s petrol price hike have been felt by nearly everyone across the country. This morning, long queues snaked from filling stations – some of which had already run dry before the week even began, largely due to localised distribution challenges driven by a wave of panic buying.

This anticipated increase stems from escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has materially heightened risks within global energy markets.

Recognising the public’s mounting concern, Minister Enoch Godongwana and Minister Gwede Mantashe issued a joint statement today confirming that consultations have been held between the National Treasury and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to explore measures to provide short-term relief to consumers, while maintaining a stable and sustainable fuel supply system.

The result: The fuel levy will now be temporarily reduced by R3 a litre, effective 1 April.

This will reduce the general fuel levy for petrol from R4.10 per litre to R1.10 per litre and reduce the general fuel levy for diesel from R3.93 per litre to R0.93 per litre for one month. It is estimated that the partial reduction in the fuel levy will cost around R6 billion in foregone tax revenue for the one-month period. The relief measure will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis for the following two months.

In reaching this decision, the Minister of Finance sought to balance the socio-economic impact on the country and welfare impact on South African consumers, specifically regarding food and transport inflation, with the fiscal objectives announced in the February Budget.

While the news comes after many have already filled up and braced themselves for the worst, even with the R3.00 per litre cut to fuel levies, South Africans are still facing record-high fuel price increases.

These are undoubtedly tough and stressful times for everyone in the country, but we can still find some small comfort in the bit of relief we have been given.

Officials further assure that there is sufficient fuel supply in the country to meet current and projected demand. Motorists and businesses are encouraged to purchase fuel responsibly and avoid unnecessary stockpiling.

Sources: Linked Above

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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Groundbreaking research is rewriting the science behind giant prehistoric insects and their size limits.

South Africa (31 March 2026) – Hundreds of millions of years ago, Earth belonged to giants of a different kind. Dragonfly-like insects with wingspans stretching up to 70 centimetres patrolled the air, their shadows skimming across swampy forests that blanketed the supercontinent Pangaea. It’s the kind of image that feels almost mythical, the sort of thing you’d expect to live in storybooks rather than science journals.

And for decades, there was a neat explanation for it all. These enormous insects, scientists believed, were only possible because the atmosphere itself was different. Oxygen levels were thought to be dramatically higher, fuelling the energy demands of flight in ways today’s conditions simply couldn’t support. It was one of those theories that settled comfortably into textbooks, repeated often enough to feel like fact.

Until now.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) and Adelaide University in Australia overturns the long-standing theory that gigantic dragonfly-like insects could only have existed 300 million years ago because atmospheric oxygen levels were about 45% higher than they are today.

Prof Edward (Ned) Snelling, an experimental physiologist in UP’s Faculty of Veterinary Science who led the study said “our findings suggest a need to reassess textbook explanations of what limits the body size and energy demand of the most diverse and abundant animals on the planet – insects.”

Earth was very different 300 million years ago. The waters teemed with fish, the land was dominated by amphibians and crawling arthropods, and the skies were ruled by flying insects, some of which had massive proportions. There were giant mayfly-like species with 45cm-wide wingspans and enormous dragonfly-like species with wingspans 70cm wide. These were the “griffinflies”, first discovered as fossilised impressions in fine-grained sedimentary rock in Kansas in the US nearly a century ago.

In the 1960s, scientists reasoned that such large flying insects could not exist contemporaneously because lower oxygen levels could not support the high demand for oxygen in the insects’ flight muscles. This made sense, as insects obtain oxygen through their unique tracheal system, a branching tree-like system of airways leading to their ends, the tracheoles. Oxygen moves by diffusion down concentration gradients from the air to the tracheoles and into the flight muscle cells. Therefore, a higher demand for oxygen and larger body sizes ought to require a higher atmospheric oxygen concentration.

In the 1980s, a new technique emerged that allowed geochemists to reconstruct the gas composition of past atmospheres. Their finding was that a period of high atmospheric oxygen occurred 300 million years ago, coinciding almost perfectly with the appearance of gigantic insects in the fossil record. This correlation reinforced the theory that the body size of today’s insects is constrained by oxygen supply and that gigantism would be impossible in our present-day atmosphere.

However, new research involving an international team from UP, Adelaide University, Trinity College Dublin, Arizona State University, Stellenbosch University, University of Greifswald, University of the Witwatersrand and University of Auckland, and published in Nature, has challenged the theory.

So, How Did They Do It?

Using high-resolution electron microscopy, the research team determined how the diffusion-dependent tracheoles supplied oxygen to flight muscle cells in insects of different body sizes. They found that the space occupied by tracheoles in the flight muscle is typically only 1% or less in most species, and that this observation holds when the relationship is extended to 300-million-year-old griffinflies. This indicates that flying insects are not constrained by atmospheric oxygen levels; they could easily compensate for different levels of atmospheric oxygen by adjusting the number of tracheoles in the muscle, as they take up so little space.

“If atmospheric oxygen really sets a limit on the maximum body size of insects, then there ought to be evidence of compensation at the level of the tracheoles,” says Prof Snelling. “There’s some compensation occurring in larger insects, but it’s trivial in the grand scheme of things.”

Dr Roger Seymour of Adelaide University adds,

“Capillaries in the cardiac muscle of birds and mammals occupy about 10 times the relative space that tracheoles occupy in the flight muscle of insects, so there must be great evolutionary potential to ramp up investment of tracheoles if oxygen transport were really limiting body size.”

Although some scientists argue that oxygen flow upstream of the tracheoles could still, in theory, limit body size, Prof Snelling believes that “any such challenge upstream of the tracheoles could be adequately compensated for by increasing tracheolar investment downstream”.

The research utilised high-resolution electron microscopy to image the flight muscle.

“The insect material was technically challenging to work with,” said Dr Antoinette Lensink of UP’s Faculty of Veterinary Science and manager of the Faculty’s Electron Microscope Unit, adding that “it was very rewarding to uncover fundamental biological insights that challenge long-held assumptions about insect body size”.

Prof Chris Weldon and Dr Christian Deschodt of UP’s Department of Zoology and Entomology were also involved in the project, which took more than five years to complete.

“It’s exciting to finally share these findings, drawn from Africa’s remarkable insect diversity, in a high-profile journal such as Nature,” Dr Weldon says.

More than five years in the making, the study doesn’t just answer a question. It opens several more. And that’s usually how you know something meaningful has happened.

Somewhere between those ancient skies and modern microscopes, the story has shifted. What we thought we understood about the limits of life, even in its smallest forms, is being rewritten.

And it leaves us with a world that feels a little less predictable, a little more curious… and far more interesting than we imagined.

Sources: Supplied 

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post South African Scientists Help Debunk a 60-Year-Old Insect Myth appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A desperate situation on the trails near Porterville ended with a collective sigh of relief on Sunday evening after an elderly couple was rescued from life-threatening heat.

Cape Town, South Africa (20 March 2026) – The heatwave in Cape Town has reportedly been unforgiving, and for an elderly couple who recently attempted a hike up the 22Waterfalls hiking route near Porterville, it quickly became dangerous.

The couple had started their hike at about 9 am on Sunday, but found themselves suffering from the rising heat and lost their trail, further compounding the situation.

They eventually called the Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) emergency number for help when the 68-year-old husband began to take strain in the hot conditions, showing signs of heat-related illness and dehydration.

Rescue teams were dispatched, and a small team aboard the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was deployed to locate the couple.

The gentleman was treated on scene by a paramedic before being airlifted to a nearby landing zone for further care. His wife was also flown from the scene to safety.

During the operation, a second couple on the same route was identified as needing assistance. Once the initial evacuation was complete, a medic hiked in to reach them. They were provided with food and water and safely assisted off the trail.

The incident concluded shortly after 6 pm, with everyone safely off the trail.

“Following extremely warm conditions over the past few days, we want to remind all outdoor enthusiasts to take extra precautions when heading outdoors in hot weather. Start early, carry sufficient water, plan your route carefully and turn back before conditions become overwhelming.  Recognising the early signs of heat exhaustion and calling for help sooner can prevent situations from escalating,” WSAR said.

The rescue team wishes the elderly hiker a speedy recovery and thanks all responding teams for their coordinated efforts in challenging conditions.

Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number for future reference: 021 937 0300

You can also support WSAR’s life-saving mission by donating here.

Sources: Wilderness Search And Rescue Western Cape

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A principal’s desperate letter for help following a terrifying pit toilet accident was met with compassion and incredible support that has resulted in 18 new sanitation facilities at Zakhele Primary School.

Upper Tongaat, South Africa (17 March 2026) – When a Zakhele Primary School pupil went to the toilet during the school day and narrowly escaped a fatal fall, the principal pulled her out and wrote a desperate letter to the one organisation she could think of that would help: Breadline Africa.

Zakhele Primary School was built in 1995. Today, it serves 250 learners, including 46 Grade R children and seven children with disabilities. Seven teachers work every day to create stability and learning in classrooms where infrastructure is visibly deteriorating.

Outside, only eight dark, unhygienic pit toilets served the entire school community. Despite the school community’s efforts to repair the damage, during heavy rain, water flooded the unpaved area around the toilets, making access unsafe.

At times, children avoided using the facilities altogether.

But their concerns and cries finally fell on the right ears.

With generous funding from its sponsors and partnership with a supplier and distributor of quality sanitation products, Breadline Africa replaced the unsafe sanitation and restored the dignity of the children of Zakhele Primary School.

On 5 March, the school officially received 18 new sanitation facilities: low-flush toilets, waterless urinals and two accessible toilets for children with disabilities, along with new handwashing stations.

The overjoyed learners marked the occasion with a drama performance on hygiene and sanitation, as well as poetry and artwork celebrating the school community. Guests, partners and school leadership gathered for the official handover and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Marion Wagner, CEO of Breadline Africa, emphasised that no child should face danger simply to use the toilet at school.

“Replacing pit toilets removes an immediate risk, but the scale of need across South Africa remains significant. Sustainable progress depends on partnership between government, investors and civil society.”

A grateful principal, Mrs SN Gumede, shared her relief and appreciation for the new and safe facilities:

“The incident was a frightening reminder of how vulnerable our children are. The new facilities mean our learners can come to school and focus on their education without fear. This has restored a sense of safety and confidence across our school community.”

Sources: Breadline Africa

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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When a home birth turned into a resuscitation emergency, a single video call became the ultimate lifeline for a newborn fighting for his first breaths.

South Africa (14 March 2026) – The thing about an emergency is that it will strike at any time, anywhere and more often than not… in the worst circumstances. One thing is for certain, though: action is required immediately.

When a new mom who had just given birth at home noticed her newborn struggling to breathe, those who had been assisting with the delivery did the only thing they could think of in that critical moment: dial the Netcare 911 emergency line.

Answering that urgent call were the critical care coordinator, Janeldi Botha, and the case manager, Ayanda Mkhulisi, at the emergency operations centre. Noticing the dire situation, they connected via video call with bystanders who were with the mother and baby, allowing them to see the baby and assess his condition remotely. As an initial step, Janeldi and Ayanda advised the person who was with the mother to stimulate the baby by drying him quickly and clearing the newborn’s airway.

Still, the baby was fighting for breath, and time was running out.

“To make it as easy as possible for the person on the scene to follow the instructions, we demonstrated each step on an infant-sized mannequin, and Ayanda explained every step to her in vernacular to eliminate any chance of misunderstanding when time was so critical for the baby’s survival,” Janeldi explained.

Ayanda said that once the baby was positioned on his back on a firm surface, they used their infant mannequin to illustrate exactly where the compression placement should be.

They also showed the caller exactly how to tilt the head back and give the baby small rescue breaths, while she followed the instructions to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Janeldi and Ayanda are trained to manage the clinical situation and also to cope with the emotional stress that callers understandably face when confronted with such an emergency.

“Using the video call allows us to communicate a lot of quite detailed information much more quickly than a phone call alone, and this means callers can understand and follow our instructions with greater precision. They act as our hands to save a life at the scene of the emergency before the professionals can arrive,” Ayanda said.

After careful guidance and 20 minutes of continuous infant CPR, the newborn baby started making healthy cooing sounds and showed spontaneous breathing, bringing what we can only imagine would have been the biggest wave of relief for everyone in that room.

“We were absolutely overjoyed. He was out of danger, and so we asked the woman to focus on rubbing him to stimulate his blood flow and wrap him up to keep him warm.”

Thanks to the advanced emergency call and geolocation functions on the Netcare App, an emergency vehicle was able to locate the precise location of the family.

“We could hear the sirens in the background as our colleagues arrived on scene with an ambulance. It’s moments like these that make this one of the most rewarding jobs. For members of the public, you never know when you might be called on to be someone’s hero in their time of need, and we are here to hold your hand every step of the way,” Janeldi concluded.

We’re so glad this crisis was met with the right connection, remarkably saving a little miracle in need.

---

Sources: Netcare Limited

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Step-By-Step Video Call Saves Newborn Struggling to Breathe appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Over the past seven months, Cape Town’s small but mighty Marine Unit has ramped up patrols, inspections and seized nearly 5,000 West Coast Rock Lobster tails, proving that our marine life is in good hands.

Cape Town, South Africa (11 March 2026) – Cape Town’s coastal treasures are in good hands. The Marine Unit, made up of a specialised powerhouse of 15 uniformed officers and a dedicated crew of volunteers, has been working overtime to keep our oceans safe and our marine resources protected.

Over the past seven months, these guardians of the deep have seen a significant increase in patrols, inspections, and enforcement actions – sending a clear message to anyone flouting the law.

During this period, the unit made at least a dozen arrests and impounded a vessel, with a raft of successes since mid-January that also led to the recovery of nearly 5,000 West Coast rock lobster tails.

On 15 January 2026, officers apprehended two men, aged 45 and 47, for the illegal possession of nearly 400 West Coast Rock Lobster tails in Ravensmead. Less than 24 hours later, in the same area, officers detained a man from Uitsig in a shopping centre car park for the illegal possession and transport of 300 lobster tails.

A week later, officers arrested three men in the car park at Vangate Mall for illegal possession of yet another 1,000 lobster tails, and on 24 February, confiscated 3,162 of these at a residence in Bishop Lavis, detaining a suspect.

The Unit also supported an operation led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), where four vessels were seized and ten fishermen apprehended for catching crayfish within a Marine Protected Area off Cape Point.

These separate incidents point to the longstanding challenge of the plundering of marine resources in the city.

The Marine Unit works closely with other agencies to preserve the natural balance and combat the overfishing and poaching of resources like abalone and rock lobster that often fuels criminal activity.

Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity to the Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700 or the anonymous tip-off line at 0800 110077.

Sources: City of Cape Town

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Cape Town’s Marine Unit Cracks Down on Illegal Fishing appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Legendary South African explorer Kingsley Holgate celebrates his 80th birthday while continuing his mission to improve lives across Africa.

South Africa (05 March 2026) – South African legend, Kingsley Holgate, celebrated his 80th birthday on the 28th of February 2026, marking a lifetime of adventure, humanitarian action and a deep love of Africa.

Honouring his dedication to supporting causes that better the lives of the citizens of Africa through the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, is Defender and iconic brand that has aided in making sure aid reaches the most remote parts of this beautiful continent.

Often considered the “most travelled man in Africa,” Kingsley turned his love of adventure and exploration into something much greater. His journeys became the support many needed to fight against malaria. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), malaria claims over 500,000 lives every year globally. Hoping to protect the most vulnerable, the foundation set out to provide mosquito nets to pregnant women and their children. To date, the organisation has distributed close to half a million mosquito nets, protecting over 1,4 million lives in the process.

Not only have the nets made a difference, but the foundation has supported the “Tchau Tchau Malaria” project – Portuguese for “Goodbye Malaria” – pioneered by Nando’s. This project has employed 3,000 men and women, who conduct indoor residual spraying to protect communities in southern Mozambique from malaria and to prevent its spread into neighbouring countries, including Eswatini and the KwaZulu-Natal and Kruger National Park regions of South Africa.

As Kingsley’s explorations took him further into remote communities, he too saw the need for supporting the elderly with poor eyesight. This led to the foundation’s project to distribute reading glasses. The WHO reports that an estimated 246 million people have low vision worldwide, and about 90% of the world’s visually impaired live in developing countries. The foundation’s Mashozi’s Rite to Sight campaign has since helped over 224,000 people who have recovered the gift of sight through the reading glasses.

Anyone who has met Kingsley will know the importance of water in his journeys. Always armed with his Calabash, the start of every expedition honours water at the source, and the journey it takes to nourish the land. It was only natural that the foundation would take this ideal and make it meaningful.

Water sources in Africa are not always safe, so ensuring communities have access to means of purifying water is essential. The distribution of the Vestergaard LifeStraw® water filters, a “drinking straw” that removes 99.9% of waterborne parasites and prevents diseases such as dysentery and cholera, has helped save so many young lives. Over 36,000 LifeStraw units have been shared to date, which is life-changing!

These cornerstones of the foundation’s work have been carried through the years to over 54 countries in Africa.

“Our mission has always been about more than just reaching a destination. It’s about using the spirit of adventure to improve and save lives. The impact we make – from preventing malaria to restoring the gift of sight – is only possible through the strength of our team and the incredible support of our partners. We are especially grateful to Defender, whose legendary capability allows us to reach the most isolated communities in Africa. Together, we are turning kilos travelled into lives touched.” – Kingsley Holgate

With more than 40 expeditions, Kingsley has always been a devout Defender adventurer. Over the past two decades, the brand has become a stalwart along some of the most challenging journeys. It was then a fitting moment when Defender and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation truly joined forces for good.

Completing more than 40 expeditions has given the Kingsley Holgate Foundation team a unique opportunity to test Defender across most of Africa and in Europe. Two of its recent expeditions – the Greater Gorongosa and Afrika Odyssey expeditions – totalled well over 150,000 km in the new Defender.

The Kingsley Holgate Foundation’s partnership with Defender received a boost recently when the foundation took delivery of two new Defender 130 vehicles, just in time for the start of its Africa Traverse expedition.

The new vehicles, highly capable Defender 130 Outbound models, each offer up to 2,516 litres of loadspace – 1,329 litres with the second-row seats in use. That is lots of space for storing mosquito nets, glasses, and LifeStraws. And let’s not forget the foundation’s rhino art project, which gives children a creative outlet while learning about the importance of protecting rhinos and elephants.

“Defender represents capability with purpose, enabling it to make a real difference. We are incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, knowing that the legendary robustness and all-terrain capability of Defender will not only power their incredible journeys but, more importantly, it will help save and improve lives in the remote communities they serve.” – Janico Dannhauser, Defender Brand Manager, JLR South Africa.

The love of Defender is nothing short of lifelong, not only for Kingsley but for every fan of the brand. Whether it’s older spec 4x4s or the latest model designed to tackle terrains in style. The Unstoppable 4×4 capability is guaranteed.

The foundation’s 130 Outbound Defenders have an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System and Terrain Response 2®, making those untravelled roads easier to navigate. The team have also benefitted from several optional items, including a raised air intake, a ⁠black roof rack and a roof ladder for easy access to additional overhead stowage space, as well as the iconic black side-mounted gear carriers for storing wet or muddy items.

The remote parts of Africa can throw any obstacle at you; having years of experience while driving a modern marvel of a 4×4 makes all the difference. A vehicle to make change happen is a fitting gift for an iconic explorer, especially for a big 80th birthday!

With his latest mission, the Defender Africa Traverse Expedition, a three-month journey retracing a historic west-to-east route across Southern Africa following the Tropic of Capricorn from Namibia’s Atlantic Coast to Mozambique. Kingsley and Defender are making year 80 the best one yet!

“Together, this enduring partnership reflects the true spirit of Defender, purposeful capability in service of humanity. As Kingsley Holgate continues to push boundaries in his eighth decade, Defender remains by his side, enabling journeys that are not defined by the roads travelled, but by the lives reached and the lasting impact created across Africa.” – JLR South Africa

Happy belated birthday to the legendary Kingsley Holgate. Enjoy the adventure!

Sources: Defender 

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Explorer Kingsley Holgate Marks His 80th Birthday Continuing a Life of Purpose appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Today, South Africa feels a little quieter as we say goodbye to a master storyteller who spent decades filling our homes with laughter and warmth.

Cape Town, South Africa (05 March 2026) – Many remember Soli Philander for the bright light he brought to children’s programmes in the early 2000s, while others recall his wit on competitive television shows or his commanding presence on the theatre stage.

Soli was a born-storyteller and entertainer who possessed an undeniable ability to connect with an audience.

This week, the world of arts and culture and South Africa as a whole mourns the loss of a national treasure who, for decades, brought laughter, insight, and warmth to every corner of the country.

“Whether performing on stage, presenting on television, or sharing his always-ready humour through radio and public speaking, he possessed the rare gift of making people laugh by reminding us of who we are,” shares Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

Whatever the stage or platform, Soli owned it with a commanding yet colourful presence. He was loved for his presenting roles on television programmes such as Liriekeraai and the South African edition of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, where his natural wit and charm made him a household name.

He also demonstrated his versatility as an actor and performer in productions like Arendsvlei, Dias Santana, Devil’s Peak, and The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island.

“His work as a comedian and storyteller drew deeply from the communities of the Cape Flats, giving voice to everyday experiences with wit, honesty and compassion,” McKenzie says.

Soli’s talent shone through every role, and his unique delivery helped bring the stories of ordinary South Africans into the national conversation.

A legend in his own right, we can only hope he felt the full weight of his ‘flowers’ while he was still here to appreciate them.

After a brave battle with cancer, we join the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in extending our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the many South Africans whose lives he touched through his work.

“May his loved ones find comfort in knowing that his voice, his jokes and his stories will live on in the hearts of the many he entertained and inspired.”

Sources: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Remembering the Light of SA Storyteller Soli Philander appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A local guide, Robert Sivewright, put his tourists’ safety above his own when a rabid seal became aggressively fixated on their kayak. Now, a grateful community is coming together to ensure he doesn’t walk the long road to recovery alone.

Hout Bay, South Africa (02 March 2026) – What began as a normal kayak trip in Hout Bay Harbour turned into an utter catastrophe when a rabid seal became aggressively fixated on one particular kayak and repeatedly attempted to bite it.

Robert Sivewright had been guiding a group of tourists on an Animal Ocean kayak trip inside the harbour on Saturday, 21 February, when a snapping mad seal posed a threat to the guests.

Realising the danger and seeking to protect the tourists in his care, Robert guided the group back to the dock, ensuring every single one of them was safely out of the water. Once off they were off the kayak, the seal turned and attacked him.

According to his sister, Samantha Sivewright, one guest said Robert shone as a real hero in a very terrifying situation.

“In the process, Robert sustained severe injuries to his right elbow and left hand,” shared Robert’s employer, Steve Benjamin.

“He was rushed to Constantiaberg Mediclinic by his sister Samantha Sivewright, where he underwent reconstructive surgery. Thanks to rapid intervention, he received urgent private medical care without delay to clean the wounds and receive the best treatment possible.”

Steve shared that while the company covered all the direct costs of surgery and emergency room care on the day, workers’ compensation didn’t apply to freelance staff. With the severe injuries Robert sustained, he requires a long and complex recovery – medical treatment and rehabilitation that comes at a hefty cost.

When the news of his ordeal was shared online just a few days ago, people empathised with his trauma and were moved by his heroism. Not only that, they responded with overwhelming support and generosity, contributing funds that will assist in Robert’s recovery and extended time away from work as a kayak guide.

In just four days, over R87,000 has been raised towards his recovery – funds that will go towards ongoing medical treatment, specialist care, rehabilitation, follow-up procedures, medication and basic living costs.

In a world where we often talk about courage, Robert lived it. He has been praised for his bravery and acting instinctively and decisively to protect others.

We couldn’t agree more. We applaud his selfless act of bravery and wish him all the best on his road to recovery.

Sources: Linked Above

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Community Rallies Behind Kayak Guide Who Braved Rabid Seal to Save Tourists appeared first on Good Things Guy.