Steve has just done something incredible! He’s walked 300 km, from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay, in his ongoing mission to raise over a million rand to help fund the studies of young students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Cape Town, South Africa (07 April 2026) – Retired Steve Murphy first had the idea after his wife Jenny counselled a young Zimbabwean girl who had lost her estranged father, and her mother just six months later. At eighteen, this left her unable to complete her matric, and with it, her future shrank in ways it shouldn’t have had to.

Thankfully, Steve and Jenny were able to help her financially. In doing so, they realised how many more young adults were navigating the same reality in South Africa. Too many capable minds are denied the chance to build careers, support their families and contribute to society, simply because they can’t afford to finish school or get into tertiary education.

“We could help the young lady financially but we also realised there were many others in this predicament and thought we would try ‘something’ like a walk!” Steve tells us.

That’s how it began. He mapped out a 300-kilometre route from bay to bay, a growing BackaBuddy campaign in tow, with an initial goal of one million rand, enough to cover student fees for at least a handful of young South Africans who needed a hand.

Steve started out knowing his efforts wouldn’t solve the national unemployment crisis, but was equally convinced that hope, placed in capable hands, leads somewhere worth going.

“I am not really trying to ‘eat the elephant’ – I think, if we give young people skills we create hope and they are resourceful enough to find their own way. Build a solid base (that is an entity which is credible, authentic and real) and which others are happy to support, and the rest will follow. Empowered people do things that assist others.”

A call for sponsorship went out to his network, and Steve set off step by step. Over two weeks, he crossed the Garden Route to Storms River and back to Plettenberg Bay. He covered 300 km, averaging around 20 kilometres a day. It’s no small feat for anyone, let alone a champ of 74!

The road made space for all kinds of thoughts, but perhaps the greatest realisation was that making a difference can be as straightforward as putting one foot in front of the other for a worthy cause.

“I am a person of faith, so I did wonder if in my latter years I might still be fruitful. I also was encouraged to reach out to others with so little when I had so much. I was profoundly moved by the courtesy, kindness and respect from fellow pedestrians. I wondered if I lived in the same country as our parliamentarians and much of the media. I do not want to diminish the pain of those who have suffered violence and loss, but whilst that was a concern of mine, my lived experience was very different. So my thoughts have turned to registering a PBO and doing this ‘full time’ going forward.”

Along the way, Steve and his network raised R226,792. And then came a pledge that blew his original goal out of the water.

“The support I’ve received has been amazing, outstanding and humbling. I also received a pledge from the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences of R1 million in educational bursaries for 2026!”

Around ten applicants have already reached out for help. The R1.25 million raised so far will get their studies off the ground, but the goal has grown, and so has Steve’s appetite for it. He’s already planning the next one.

“Now that I’ve reached the end of the journey, I feel on top of the world, grateful for a body that is still resilient, and ready to do more – I’m motivated for next year’s effort!”

Ultimately, choosing to give might just be the most rewarding thing a person can do with their time on earth.

“So much of western lifestyle is about getting, keeping, having. Jesus taught that giving is more blessed. It brings more contentment and satisfaction than getting. This exercise has confirmed for me that truth! So here is to trying to give a little more each day!”

Steve’s campaign is still running. If you’d like to support his cause, follow this link.

Sources: GTG Interview.

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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. 

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One of South Africa’s most iconic drives has just been ranked number one in the world, putting it ahead of some of the planet’s most famous routes.

Garden Route, South Africa (04 April 2026) – You don’t need a passport stamp to experience one of the greatest road trips on Earth. You just need a good playlist, a sense of adventure and a stretch of road that South Africans have been bragging about for years.

And now, the rest of the world knows about it too.

In a new global study by Autotrader, in partnership with senior meteorologist Jim R N Dale, South Africa’s Garden Route has officially been ranked the best road trip in the world for driving conditions.

The research set out to understand what really makes a road trip feel effortless and enjoyable behind the wheel. Dale pointed out that visibility is the most important factor when it comes to ideal driving conditions, and from there, the study looked at five key elements: road surface conditions, clear days, wind speed, ground temperature and humidity comfort. All of these were combined into a “Perfect Driving Weather” score.

The Garden Route didn’t just perform well across those categories. It delivered a near-perfect score of 90.6 out of 100, placing it firmly at the top of the global rankings.

Running roughly 300 kilometres from Mossel Bay to Storms River, this iconic stretch offers more than just scenery. It’s a drive where everything seems to align. Clear skies that open up the horizon, gentle winds that don’t interrupt the journey and temperatures that make you want to keep going just a little bit further. Along the way, the Indian Ocean glimmers beside you, forests close in with that deep green calm, and mountain passes add just enough drama to keep things interesting.

Trailing just behind South Africa are some of the world’s most famous routes. Route 66 in the United States takes second place, followed by the Pacific Coast Highway. Both are known for their long, open stretches and reliable sunshine, while destinations like Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Spain’s Costa Brava and Australia’s Great Ocean Road also feature in the top ten.

1. Garden Route – South Africa
2. Route 66 – United States
3. Pacific Coast Highway – United States
4. Amalfi Coast Road – Italy
5. Costa Brava Coastal Roads – Spain
6. Great Ocean Road – Australia
7. Icefields Parkway – Canada
8. Loire Valley Drives – France
9. Kahekili Highway – United States
10. Norwegian Atlantic Road – Norway

But even among those globally celebrated drives, the Garden Route was number 1 for a reason.

Erin Baker from Autotrader captured the magic of it perfectly, “Every driver knows the feeling: windows down, the road stretching out under a clear sky, conditions so perfect you could stay behind the wheel all day.”

“We wanted to find out which of the world’s great roads most often deliver this experience and were pleasantly surprised by just how many countries across the globe have roads that scored highly in our Perfect Driving Weather index.”

“Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip along the Garden Route or a weekend loop somewhere closer to home, the right conditions and the right car can turn a good drive into an unforgettable one.”

But South Africans knew this already. This isn’t a hidden gem or a place you need to discover. It’s a route that families have travelled for generations, where friends have made memories on long weekends and where solo trips have turned into something meaningful along the way.

So the next time you find yourself on that road, windows open, music playing, taking in the coastline and everything that comes with it, remember this: you’re not just on a good drive… you’re on the best one in the world.

Sources: Autotrader 

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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. 

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Photographer Martin Ras captured a rare glimpse of a police diver’s compassion and bravery, and the NSRI’s life-saving work.

Garden Route, South Africa (25 March 2026) – Mossel Bay photographer Martin Ras is rarely without his camera. He’s captured life, in all forms, as it unfolds along the Garden Route.

Last year in April, he happened to be on the scene when a local fisherman, Frans Quagga Smit, and his friend had been fishing along the rocks at The Point in Mossel Bay. The two had cast their lines and had been there for less than half an hour before it happened.

A massive wave had swept Frans right off the rocks and into the water.

Pulled beneath the surface for what must have felt like a lifetime, Frans finally came up gasping for air with his head just above water. But the current was strong and unrelenting, and no matter how hard he fought, it refused to give him back to shore. His friend couldn’t reach him, and after about 15 minutes battling water that had no intention of letting go, Frans knew he wasn’t getting back to safety on his own.

Thankfully, The Point was busy that day. Beachgoers had spotted the commotion and alerted the NSRI.

As rescue teams made their way there, a police diver, Andries Louw, dove straight in and heroically zipped through the water toward Frans. He reached him in just moments, wielding a pink rescue buoy that would help the fisherman stay afloat until he could be brought to safety.

The NSRI Station 15 team arrived shortly after, and the two were lifted from the water and brought safely back to shore.

Martin caught the entire thing on camera, capturing a rare glimpse of the police diver’s compassion and bravery, and the NSRI’s life-saving work that unfolds every day along our coastline. This week, he shared it online:

“For me, having a camera in hand during real-life moments like a sea rescue brings a mix of adrenaline, responsibility, and respect. You feel the urgency in the air, but at the same time, you understand your role , to document what’s happening as truthfully as possible. My camera is always with me because moments like these are real, raw, and important to capture.” Martin tells us.

By documenting and sharing these moments, he helps the world see, appreciate and support the work of the people who show up when it matters most – in this case, a brave police diver and the NSRI.

“I’ve had people ask why I recorded instead of helping, and my answer is simple: I’m a photographer, not a trained lifeguard or NSRI rescuer. In situations like that, the professionals are there to do the saving. My role is to tell the story, to show what unfolds, and to preserve a moment that many would never otherwise see.” he says.

Martin has been capturing life in Mossel Bay and further along the Garden Route for just about five years now. His passion for photography started long before.

“I started my career in the corporate world, working on the Sishen mine in the Northern Cape, where I travelled frequently between Johannesburg and the mine. It was during those trips that my passion for photography and video truly started to grow.” he says.

He and his family made the move to the coast just before lockdown. When Mossel Bay Tourism purchased one of his photographs, doors opened.

“Everything changed when Mossel Bay Tourism purchased one of my photos, which was later used on billboards across South Africa. Seeing my work out there made me realise that photography was more than just a hobby ,it was my calling. From that moment, I committed full-time to photography.”

Today Martin runs workshops teaching people how to capture great images on both smartphones and cameras, has built a membership community to help others grow, and sells fine art wildlife prints. Follow his work, or find out more, here.

Sources: GTG Interview.

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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. 

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New room to run, hop, stretch, and do zoomies in!

Garden Route, South Africa (18 March 2026) – When we think about what animals at a shelter might need, food and veterinary care are two that generally come to mind first, but there’s something else that shapes their wellbeing just as much, and that’s space.

Because it’s freedom. It gives an anxious dog room to decompress, makes a shy cat feel safe enough to eat, and allows an animal recovering from illness or injury to move and be. It affects their behaviour and health, and is a major factor that contributes to the quality of life. Animals need to touch grass just as much as people do.

Space is one of the valuable things a shelter can offer the animals it cares for, and it’s also one of the hardest to come by. That’s why the upgrade at George SPCA is happy news! More room for the zoomies.

“We’re so proud to share that we’ve added 3 new play pens on top of the 10 we already have. This gives our animals more space to stretch their legs, to play and to just enjoy a bit of freedom outside their kennels. These pens are also used for our tortoises, rabbits and farm animals when needed.” shares George SPCA – Garden Route.

“For some of our animals, having more space to themselves makes a huge difference to how safe and comfortable they feel while they wait for their forever homes. These small improvements go a long way in helping them heal, feel calm, and be a little happier every day.”

We’ll add that it’s also a reminder of why adoption matters. Every animal that finds a forever home frees up space for another who needs it.

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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He’s pulled dogs out of drains, rushed to stranded sheep on the highway, sat in courtrooms fighting for justice, and answered calls in the early hours of New Year’s Day. George SPCA is celebrating 23 years of dedicated Inspector Henrico Pypers!

Garden Route, South Africa (03 March 2026) – Some people clock in and out. Others are like Inspector Henrico Pypers.

Since 2003, Henrico has answered the call when animals needed a hero.

He once drove through the night to get to Uniondale, where two dogs had been poisoned and needed saving. He got in his car in the early hours of New Year’s Day to rescue a dog that had hurt itself on a fence trying to escape the fireworks. Late on a Friday, he once stopped to help when a truck carrying sheep and cows had broken down. He has also spent more than one Father’s Day on duty.

When cruelty cases are opened, he’s the one in court. He was there to testify in a case involving a dog that had been stabbed. He was there in 2019 when three people who had attacked pigs with a panga on a farm in Pacaltsdorp were finally sentenced — after a case that had been grinding through the courts for two years.

These are a few of the many times Pypers has been that hero.

This week, the Garden Route SPCA stopped to honour Henrico for reaching 23 years of dedicated, unwavering service to animals.

“Today we honour an incredible milestone — 23 years of service by Inspector Henrico Pypers at the Garden Route SPCA.” the organisation shared. “For more than two decades, Henrico has been a steady pillar of strength for animals who have no voice and no protection. His commitment to animal welfare has never wavered. Through long days, late-night call-outs, difficult rescues, court cases, and heartbreaking situations, he has shown unwavering dedication, courage, and integrity.”

It’s been heartening to see more local publications giving animal welfare the attention it deserves. The stories of rescues, recoveries, and second chances are ones that people connect with deeply, and they matter. But behind every one of those stories is a person who got the call, got in the car, and made the good news possible.

Being a hero for animals is emotionally heavy and demanding in more ways than one. Beyond it being tough work, animal welfare workers carry the weight of terrible things they’ve seen and keep showing up anyway.

Inspector Henrico Pypers is one of those people. And after 23 years, it’s well past time to say so out loud!

“His passion for protecting animals and serving the community has left a lasting impact on the Garden Route. 23 years of sacrifice. 23 years of standing up for the voiceless. 23 years of making a difference. Thank you, Inspector Henrico Pypers, for your dedication, leadership, friendship, and heart. The animals — and all of us — are better because of you.” shared the SPCA.

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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OWL devices have been installed on the powerline along the N2 near Sedgefield, aimed at protecting flamingos flying across the Swartvlei Lagoon at night.

Garden Route, South Africa (02 March 2026) – The Swartvlei Lagoon is part of the Garden Route Biosphere and is a recognised Ramsar Site of international importance. Among the species using this wetland system are the African Grass Owl, the Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo.

Flamingos don’t stay put. They move between wetlands across the region in response to changing water levels and food availability. Often, this travel happens after nightfall…

Two separate research projects led by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) – one in 2016 and another between 2024 and 2025 – involved GPS-tagging both Greater and Lesser Flamingos. The tracking data showed that these birds undertake significant movements between water bodies, and that most of those flights happen at night.

Eskom’s power lines can be difficult for birds to see, and collisions are a documented risk in wetland systems. That’s where this particular lagoon comes in. A municipal power line runs across the Swartvlei Lagoon near the N2 bridge, directly in a known flight path.

Local members of the BirdLife SA Lakes Bird Club saw the danger and approached the EWT for assistance in mitigating the threat.

The EWT has been working with Eskom for over 30 years to reduce the impact of energy infrastructure on wildlife. Across South Africa, thousands of kilometres of power lines have been marked to prevent collisions involving vultures, eagles and other large bird species.

In Swartvlei, the solution was the installation of Overhead Warning Lights known as OWL devices along the section of line crossing the lagoon.

OWL devices are specialised bird flight diverters fitted with flashing LED lights. They are specifically designed to make power lines more visible to birds flying at night. Testing at various sites across South Africa has shown them to be highly effective in reducing flamingo collisions.

With this resolution put forward by the EWT, the Lakes Bird Club, along with Birdlife Plettenberg Bay, collected more than R100,000 to cover the costs of the installation along the powerline!

After securing the necessary permissions, the project was set into motion.

The EWT’s Conservation Drone Unit, accompanied by several helping hands, installed the OWL devices on the live line spanning the lagoon. And without interrupting electricity supply to surrounding communities, which makes it a global first for this type of installation.

“If it wasn’t for the Knysna municipality agreeing to this installation, it would not have been possible and we would not have been able to play such a key role in ensuring that flamingos no longer fly into the power lines. Key to this operation was collaboration. The Knysna municipality, Sedgefield fire brigade, and Western Cape traffic control officials were all on hand to ensure our teams, working beside the N2, were safe. The Garden Route National Park granted our team permission to fly our drone over the area, and SANParks staff were also on site” says Lourens Leeuwner, the EWT’s Head of Operations and Flight Operations Manager of the Drone Unit. “These bird flight diverters will also prevent other waterbirds and raptors in the area from colliding with the power line with the aim of reducing mortalities.”

When local communities and conservation organisations work together, the impact can be far greater than what anyone could achieve alone. Community members are often the first to notice risks to wildlife in their own environments. Organisations like the EWT bring the research, tools and experience needed to address them. When those strengths combine, solutions move from concern to action!

“A phenomenal collaborative conservation success that Reflections Eco-Reserve and the Lakes Bird Club are privileged to have been part off. A massive thank you to all parties involved,” says Tim Carr, owner of the Reflections Eco-Reserve and member of the Lakes Bird Club.

Sources: Endangered Wildlife Trust.

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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 New Devices Bring More Protection for the Garden Route’s Flamingos appeared first on Good Things Guy.

George did not know what hit it on 13 February. More than a dozen of the town’s most trusted faces were locked up…for love.

George, South Africa (17 February 2026) – On Friday last week, the George SPCA teamed up with the Southern Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for their ‘Locked Up for Love’ fundraiser.

The Garden Route town’s most recognisable faces (and voices) were ‘arrested’ and hauled off in security vehicles until they raised bail money for animals in need.

It became a spectacle that relied on the community to follow along, show up at the SPCA, and help their favourite ‘prisoners’ buy their freedom.

Each participating local had to raise R10,000 bail while locked up in SPCA kennels.

And so, they turned to their communities of friends, clients, listeners, and followers, and asked them to back the animals by backing them.

The who’s who of George participated. Among them were Kristy Kolberg from the George Herald, Simon from Algoa FM, Wilna from Wilna Allpass Makeup and Hair, Christine from Skinstitute, Clive Wray from Rayten, Andi McDonald (GRSPCA Chairperson), Marelize Earle (2025 Mrs Classique Globe South Africa), Garth van Tonder from KIA, Jeremy Gibbs from 101 Meade Restaurant, Shawn Northey from Action Coach, Phiwe Bomvu from DotSure, Gert Niehaus from AVBOB, LC from Earle Design, Joan from Vitant, Sean Snyman and the ever-energetic Lekker Nikki.

Each of them agreed to be carted around town in good humour. When the dust settled and locks loosened, the fundraiser had brought in an incredible R229,177!

That amount will go directly toward caring for animals at the SPCA. It covers food, medical treatment, shelter and the everyday costs involved with running the shelter which has operated in the town for almost 80 years.

A huge part of the day’s success came from SCDF, who brought their vehicles, handcuffs and manpower on board, but also covered their own operational costs to make the fundraiser possible.

The monthly costs of running an SPCA are staggering, and without support, it would be insurmountable.

“Every town deserves an SPCA, because without one, there is no organisation legally mandated to step in when animals suffer. But this work comes at a cost. It takes over R1.5 million every month to keep our doors open. Every rescue, every sterilisation, every investigation, every adoption, it’s only possible because of community support. The animals of the Garden Route need us and we cannot be here for them without you,” the SPCA shares on its website.

That’s why fundraisers like this one set a wonderful example. When people are involved and enjoying themselves, they’re far more likely to show up and support a worthy cause.

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. 

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Another two lives have been saved from the grip of a rip current at sea. Justin earned his hero badge, and a pink life buoy proved its worth.

Brenton-on-Sea (10 February 2026) – Things can change at the drop of a hat in ocean waters. That’s why it’s so important to know what red flags to look out for when going for a swim. One of the most common is rip currents.

Just before 3 pm on Saturday, NSRI Knysna was alerted to reports of a drowning in progress at Die Blokke along Fisherman’s Walk. Rescue swimmers who were already nearby responded immediately, while the duty crew prepared to launch from the station.

By the time help was on the way, a local couple had already stepped in to help two elderly foreigners.

A 78-year-old man and his 74-year-old wife, visiting from Switzerland, had been swimming in the water when they were unexpectedly caught in rip currents. The man managed to reach the rocks and clung on while his wife struggled nearby.

Hearing the commotion, Justin Lucas, 36, and his partner Kathryn Talken, 39, went to see what was happening. Justin acted right away and entered the surf, making his way to the man. At the same time, Kathryn grabbed an NSRI pink rescue buoy and handed it to the woman as she reached the shoreline.

The woman then launched off again into the water, this time with the buoy, attempting to reach her husband.

In this time, Justin managed to guide the man safely back toward shore, but quickly realised the woman was now in trouble herself. He shouted to her to use the buoy for flotation. She reached the rocks, where Justin got to her and pulled her up to safety.

When NSRI crews arrived on scene, both swimmers were already out of the water. They were medically assessed and, apart from exhaustion, did not require further treatment.

NSRI Knysna station commander Jerome Simonis praised the actions that unfolded before crews arrived.

“NSRI commend Justin for his swift actions in rescuing the couple and we commend Kathryn for her assistance giving the lady the NSRI pink rescue buoy,” he said, adding: “Their swift actions contributed to saving the lives of the foreign couple.” 

Strong rip currents, alongside weak or nonexistent swimming skills, are two of the leading causes of drowning at sea. The best way to avoid being carried out by a rip current is to be observant about where you’re swimming, and swim where lifeguards are on duty.

If you are caught in a rip current without help, don’t panic. Stay calm and swim slowly and conservatively at 90 degrees from the direction that you are being pulled. Or relax and let it carry you out past the breakers until it slacks.

If you see someone caught in a rip current, don’t enter the water unless you are trained and have emergency flotation such as a pink rescue buoy or a surf board.

If you’re not trained in water rescue, throw something that floats into the rip current which will carry it out to the person in difficulty, and then call for help. The pink rescue buoy signs have emergency numbers for the closest NSRI station on them.

Sources: NSRI Knysna

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A South African-born project tackling one of AI’s biggest blind spots (nature) has just taken home an international award!

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland (28 January 2026) – Project ZOA (Zoological Open Architecture) has earned the Startup Innovation Award for Top AI Sustainability Project at Davos Innovation Week during the World Economic Forum.

Founded in the Garden Route and presented in Davos by founder Douglas Eriksen, the project is built around the fact that AI is increasingly used to guide decisions about land use, infrastructure, finance, and development, yet it often doesn’t include reliable environmental information.

“We are living through an unprecedented era of technological change,” shares Eriksen. “Artificial intelligence is reshaping how decisions are made. But when those systems do not understand nature, the consequences can be serious.”

Project ZOA aims to change that by turning real, verified observations of wildlife and ecosystems into structured data that AI systems can understand, compare and use. Essentially, it helps AI factor biodiversity into decision-making.

“We’re transforming biodiversity monitoring from analog field notes into machine-readable intelligence. This creates the baseline measurements we’ll need to track ecological change in an AI-transformed world,” shares Eriksen. 

 

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The initiative is a partnership between technology company Zindalo, Wits Enterprise – the research commercialisation arm of the University of the Witwatersrand – and Cango Wildlife.

Erikson is the CEO of Cango, which focuses on endangered species conservation and the practical application of technology in conservation work.

“Cango Wildlife focuses on endangered species conservation and the practical application of technology in conservation work. It serves as the zoological infrastructure anchor for Project ZOA’s data collection and verification systems,” shares Cango WIldlife.

The project was presented to a panel of global policymakers and technology investors at the largest World Economic Forum gathering to date!

By giving AI access to accurate, real-world biodiversity data, Project ZOA can help protect sensitive ecosystems and support more informed development decisions. It puts South African conservation efforts on a global stage and shows how technology can be used to support nature, not overlook it.

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. 

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The Mossel Bay SPCA and animal welfare teams have been walking through smoke, ash and heartbreak, searching for survivors and helping families caught in the path of runaway fires across the Garden Route.

Garden Route, South Africa (09 January 2026) – For the past three days, Mossel Bay SPCA teams have been working non-stop in fire-swept areas, including Num Num, Sonskynvallei, Hartenbos Heuwels and Renosterbos.

The fires have left a path of destruction. Emergency services have battled through, holding the line on multiple fronts. It’s been a terribly frightening few days of uncertainty, loss and hope.

Animal welfare heroes, as always, have been incredible. Organisations like the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa, as well as teams from Garden Route SPCAs, have been on the ground.

Inspectors and volunteers have been walking kilometre after kilometre through thick ash and blackened ground, searching for animals who may have survived the flames.

Teams have watched antelope flee as flames advanced and fences were cut to give them a chance to escape. Live tortoises, some with blackened shells, were pulled from the ashes.

Sadly, many of the animals they find have already succumbed to the fire, but every living creature rescued makes the effort worthwhile.

Inspectors face the heartbreaking responsibility of humane euthanasia when injuries are too severe.

They carry this burden, and still show up everyday, around the clock. Back at the base, dogs, cats, chickens and farm animals from affected areas are being cared for, too.

But the work hasn’t only been about animals.

SPCA teams have helped farmers and pet owners evacuate their homes. They’ve assisted families making impossible decisions under extreme pressure. They’ve helped evacuate an old age home, moving 36 elderly residents away from advancing smoke and fire.

They have shown up for the community, and the community for them.

Since the fires began, helpers have rallied behind them.

People have offered new boots after inspectors’ footwear was destroyed by hours of walking through ash and heat. Others have volunteered their time to help search for injured animals. Donations have been made along with calls asking what more can be done.

“Put your running shoes on, put your safety boots on, and please just walk the areas all around that have been burnt. All we can do for now is look for survivors,” a spokesperson for Mossel Bay SPCA shared.

The team has opened their doors for donations (food, water, clothes, etc) towards displaced community members who have lost their homes in the blaze.

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. 

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