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.

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 74-Year-Old Walks 300km and Raises Over R1 Million to Help Students Cover Fees! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

When good people fall, the best of humanity rises to meet them.

Brackenfell, South Africa (02 April 2026) – Time and again, we’ve seen it happen. A family reaches a moment they simply cannot get through alone, and they’re left with no other option but to ask, and hope, for help.

Somehow, through the kindness of strangers, the generosity of communities, and the miracle of people choosing to show up, they find a way through their darkest hours.

We have seen it here on Good Things Guy more times than we can count. And we believe, with everything we have, that we are about to see it again. This time, it’s for Jacques.

Jacques is the husband of Bianca, dad to their daughter Charnè. When his diagnosis of high-grade bladder cancer and kidney cancer came, it turned their small family’s life upside down.

And then, the road become even steeper. His initial bladder surgery was followed by a serious complication of Klebsiella septicaemia, a bloodstream infection that hit his already-weakened body.

Time is working against the family.

Jacques needs robotic surgery to remove the kidney cancer, a specialised procedure that gives him the best chance of saving the kidney and stopping the disease from spreading. That surgery is scheduled for 8 April 2026, just a week from now. It’s the only window he has.

Once Jacques begins his bladder cancer treatment on 4 May 2026, his immune system will take a severe hit, making further surgery too dangerous. That treatment will run for six weeks, then repeat every three months for years to come. The kidney surgery has to happen first. Before the treatment starts and before the window closes.

That’s how little time they have.

The toll this has taken is immense. With Jacques unable to work, the financial pressure on the family has grown to a point that’s becoming impossible to manage alone. Their medical aid doesn’t cover the full cost of the robotic surgery, and with specialist visits, hospital stays, medication, and ongoing care, the numbers quickly become overwhelming.

Hope is the most tangible thing they have right now.

Bianca has made a humbling, and heartbreaking, cry for a help.

“I serve as a criminologist and the national coordinator for Missing Children South Africa. My work has always been protecting vulnerable children and supporting families in crisis. My husband has stood by my side through it all, often stepping in to keep others safe. For years we’ve helped people through their darkest moments. Now we face one ourselves.” Bianca shares.

An online crowdfunding campaign has been set up to help cover the cost of Jacques’s robotic kidney surgery, his bladder cancer treatment, and the many medical expenses that come with a battle this long and this complex. So far, R22,910 has been raised toward a goal of R200,000.

With Jacques’ surgery scheduled a week from now, the family needs their miracle.

“It is incredibly difficult to ask for help, but as family we will do anything to give Jacques the chance to fight, to heal, and to continue being the person we love so deeply.” shares Bianca. “Every single donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to making this life-saving treatment possible.”

To support Jacques, visit this link.

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 Bianca’s Urgent Call for Help as Husband Jacques Battles Two Forms of Cancer appeared first on Good Things Guy.

‘My greatest fear is not the illness itself, but the thought of not having enough time with my children – not being there to guide them, support them, and watch them grow into who they are meant to be.’

Fourways, South Africa (25 March 2026) – A mother of four and a woman whose heart, by all accounts, is made of gold, is fighting for her life. The people who love her – and strangers who don’t even know her – are fighting right alongside her.

In October last year, Kate was diagnosed with stage 4 liver and colon cancer.

“Since then, life has become a constant balance between fighting for my health and trying to hold my family together.” Kate shares.

Family is everything. Kate’s purpose is to create a safe and loving home for her four children. One that she has kept on fighting for, even through a life-altering battle with cancer.

“I am a mom to two incredible children and a proud stepmom to two more. Our home is filled with love, laughter, and the beautiful chaos of raising four kids together. Every day, my purpose has been simple, to give them a safe, happy, and stable life, and to be there for every moment that matters.”

Through all the fear, the fatigue, and the fog of uncertainty that the illness has cast upon her, Kate has just kept going.

“I have undergone six cycles of chemotherapy, and through it all, I have continued working whenever I can. Becoming a single income household with four children is not an option so there simply isn’t room to stop… even on the days when getting out of bed feels impossible.”

The fight got even harder recently, when the chemotherapy stopped working, and her oncologist shared the difficult news that time may be more limited than anyone had imagined.

“As a mother, there are no words for what that feels like. My greatest fear is not the illness itself, but the thought of not having enough time with my children – not being there to guide them, support them, and watch them grow into who they are meant to be.”

Hope shows up in glimmers, and Kate has caught one of her own.

Her oncologist is applying for approval for a HER2 blocker treatment that could give her more time.

“But there are no guarantees. Medical aid may not approve it, and even if they do, the co-payments are far beyond what we can afford.”

Sadly, financial burden often stands between families navigating illness and the path forward. We see it often. We also see that when fighters have the courage to reach out and ask for help, they rally armies of compassion.

“Asking for help is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. But I am holding onto hope and doing everything I can to keep fighting, not just for myself, but for my family, and for the life we have built together.” she writes.

Kate has turned to online crowdfunding, asking others to hold onto this glimmer with her.

“Through this BackaBuddy campaign, I am hoping to raise funds to help cover medical expenses and shortfalls, to access this potential treatment if it is approved, and to support my family during this incredibly uncertain time.” 

The campaign, which has a goal of R500,000, has already seen 82 donors come forward, raising over R123,000 in just two days. That’s the full cost of one blocker treatment covered already.  Helpers are showing up, but more support is still needed to give Kate more time with her family and to face the uncertainty that cancer brings.

“More than anything, your support would give me the gift of time – time to focus on my health, and time to truly be present with the people I love most.”

The right person seeing a story at the right moment is what changes everything. If you would like to support Kate and her family, follow this link.

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 South Africans Answering Kate’s Call for Help – ‘I Am Not Ready to Say Goodbye’ appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A fundraiser has been launched to give Bongo the quality of life he deserves as he battles a painful limb deformity.

Roodepoort, South Africa (08 March 2026) – Bongo and another young donkey, Bunny, were rescued by the team at Rest Ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary in December 2024 after the pair tragically lost their mothers in an accident near Bela Bela.

Just two weeks old at the time, the sanctuary took them in with the hope that they might bond with nursing mares and foals. Now two years later, the duo has become part of the family. But Bongo is still struggling to stand comfortably on his own four feet.

The sanctuary first shared last year that Bongo was diagnosed with flexural deformity, a condition that affects tendons in his legs. When tendons are too tight, it causes abnormal positioning of the limbs and hooves. Animals with this condition often struggle to place their heels properly on the ground and may walk on their toes, making movement painful and difficult.

To give Bongo the best chance at a more comfortable life, veterinarians performed multiple surgeries on all four of his legs to correct the contracted tendons. He has also been fitted with specially designed corrective shoes to help support his legs and encourage proper positioning as he heals.

As Bongo received the specialist care he needed, often making a 160km round-trip journey to Onderstepoort to get there, Bunny has never left his side.

The sanctuary recently shared that sadly, the newly-formed bone in Bongo’s right hind leg cracked during healing, which means he now spends most of his time resting in his stable or a small outside camp. Staff keep a fan running to help him stay cool and to keep flies away, while music plays softly to keep him and his favourite companion, Bunny, company.

Because his injured leg needs to remain protected, the sanctuary’s grooms are even carrying Bongo between spaces to prevent him from putting too much weight on it.

Even with these hurdles, there’s hope. The veterinary team monitoring Bongo’s recovery has reportedly been pleased with his progress so far, and the sanctuary has shared some exciting news!

This week, Animotion, an organisation that designs customised orthotic and prosthetic solutions to improve mobility for animals, paid the sanctuary a visit.

“Sometimes you meet someone who you are truly in awe of… and we can genuinely say that was the feeling when we met Werner from Animotion.” shares the sanctuary. “Werner came out this week, to take measurements and make a plaster cast impression, to design a brace for Bongo’s right hind leg.”

The brace will replace Bongo’s cast, and give him improved mobility, comfort and hygiene, while also allowing his carers monitor for concerns like pressure sores.

“We cannot wait to see the final design,” the sanctuary shared “History in the making!”

Through it all, Bunny is still by Bongo’s side.

To help cover Bongo’s hospital bills, which include surgeries, specialised farrier work, and ongoing veterinary care, an online fundraising campaign has been launched. If you’d like to support, follow this link.

Sources: Rest Ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary.

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 A Little Donkey Named Bongo is Fighting for His Feet appeared first on Good Things Guy.