Tomorrow marks World Autism Awareness Day. Dr Onyinye Nwaneri is highlighting a critical gap: children with autism in rural communities are being diagnosed later, supported less and too often left to navigate an education system not designed for them.

South Africa (01 April 2026) – Children with autism do not struggle because they lack potential; they struggle when the world around them is not ready to understand how they communicate, play, learn or cope with change. In South Africa, that challenge is often felt most sharply in the education system, where support is uneven, specialist services are limited and many teachers are already stretched thin.

In rural communities, the pressure is even greater. Autism is often recognised later than it should be, support systems are harder to access and families often have to carry the burden of uncertainty for far too long. As we mark World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April and Autism Acceptance Month throughout April, this is the right moment to ask what real acceptance or autism looks like, particularly in regions in our country where resources are scarce and the need is great.

This reflection has to start with understanding that acceptance and support of autism cannot be reduced to an Autism Day slogan. It has to become permanently evident in the classroom where a single teacher is trying to guide many different learners, often with very little backup. It also has to be seen in early learning spaces where developmental differences should first become visible – but where staff may not yet feel equipped to respond. And the required support has to also be available in homes and communities where parents often know something is different about their child, but don’t know where to turn for help.

Research done in Limpopo Province in 2023 provided a picture of what the challenges related to autism in our education system look like on the ground. The study found that teachers supporting autistic children had to overcome a plethora of challenges, from substandard infrastructure and limited teaching materials to a shortage of health practitioners, uneven teacher learner ratios, inadequate staff skills and weak management support. This points to a structural problem rather than a lack of care or commitment from teachers themselves. Essentially, we are asking our educators to carry responsibilities that the wider system has not properly recognised and isn’t itself equipped to support.

That burden is often heavier in rural settings, where specialist assessment and therapy services are inaccessible and where autism is often poorly understood. A 2024 study on caregivers of non-verbal autistic children in rural KwaZulu-Natal, published in the South African Journal of Communication Disorders, revealed a need for greater public awareness, caregiver counselling, autism support groups and more specialised education options.

Another 2024 South African study found a delay of roughly three years between the recognition of first symptoms and a formal autism diagnosis. A delay like that can misshape a child’s whole early experience of learning. On the other hand, when adults understand what they are seeing earlier, children are more likely to be supported in ways that reduce frustration and build communication, confidence and connection.

All these research findings support the imperative for early childhood development to be at the frontline of autism inclusion. ECD practitioners are often among the first adults to notice how a child responds to routine, manages sensory input or expresses needs. Unfortunately, early childhood carers and educators often lack knowledge about teaching and accommodating young autistic children in everyday education settings. That gap has to receive urgent attention, because early childhood spaces are where supportive habits should begin, and where fear or misunderstanding can be replaced with practical, compassionate action.

Importantly, autism support doesn’t have to wait for a perfect system or specialist inputs. We can make useful progress simply by giving the adults already involved in autistic children’s lives better tools, clearer guidance and genuine support. This is where practical resources can make a real difference. Sesame Workshop’s new autism materials, released for Autism Acceptance Month, focus on kindness, connection, participation and communication support. They include videos, printables and education designed to help children and adults create more welcoming shared spaces.

In a rural South African classroom or home, where time and support are limited, simple tools like these can help model inclusion in ways that feel achievable. They help to show that communication can happen in different ways, and friendships can blossom when children are taught to accept differences and make room for one another.

In the end, real autism acceptance means more than just saying every child belongs. It means building schools and communities that are better able to recognise difference early and respond with care. And it means supporting the under-resourced teacher who is trying to hold a classroom together while meeting many needs at once. Awareness is definitely a good starting point, but acceptance is what is needed. And that only happens when understanding translates to support, so that all children are given space to be themselves and the genuine chance to learn, connect and thrive.

To access the new resources, visit sesame.org/autism and learn more about supporting every child’s journey toward friendship and inclusion.

Sources: Sesame Workshop

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 Autism Acceptance and Support Must Reach SA’s Rural Classrooms appeared first on Good Things Guy.

As fuel prices climb, Volvo Car South Africa says the real conversation isn’t just about petrol… it’s about how South Africans are starting to rethink the true cost of driving.

Johannesburg, South Africa (01 April 2026) – While rising fuel prices often trigger spikes in interest around electric vehicles, Volvo Car South Africa believes the real reasons South Africans are starting to consider EVs go far beyond the petrol pump.

Recent internal data from Volvo shows a significant increase in interest in its electric vehicle range over the past month. While fuel costs remain a visible catalyst, the long-term ownership benefits of EVs are increasingly driving more informed decision-making among consumers.

“Fuel price increases may start the conversation, but they are not the full story,” says Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa. “When you look at the total cost of ownership, the flexibility, and the advancements in battery technology, electric vehicles begin to make a compelling case on their own.”

One of the most overlooked advantages is servicing. Electric vehicles typically have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine vehicles, which can result in lower maintenance requirements. In some cases, servicing intervals extend to every two years, with costs often lower than traditional vehicles.

Battery durability has also evolved significantly. Most manufacturers now offer battery warranties of up to eight years or 160,000 kilometres, providing added peace of mind for buyers. With responsible charging habits such as maintaining charge levels between 20% and 80%, battery longevity can be further extended. For those considering pre-owned electric vehicles, many manufacturers provide battery health certificates, offering transparency on remaining battery life.

Control, Cost and Everyday Savings

Another key benefit is control. Unlike traditional vehicles that rely solely on fuel stations, EV owners can choose how and when they charge.

“The ability to charge at home fundamentally changes the economics of driving,” says Locke. “Whether it is overnight charging on lower tariffs or making use of solar power, drivers have far more control over their monthly mobility costs.”

While public fast charging remains an option, it is typically the most expensive method. Charging 50kWh using a DC fast charger can cost around R400 and deliver approximately 250 to 350 kilometres of range. By comparison, charging the same amount at home during off-peak periods could cost closer to R175, depending on electricity tariffs.

Over time, these savings become even more meaningful. A typical commuter travelling 60 kilometres per weekday and charging at home could spend less than R1,000 per month on energy. Based on an average consumption of 16kWh per 100 kilometres and an electricity rate of approximately R3.50 per kWh, monthly costs could be closer to R750.

Fuel increases ripple through the entire economy. South Africa transports more than 80% of its goods by road, meaning rising diesel prices quickly translate into higher food and retail costs. This places additional pressure on household budgets, extending the impact of fuel price hikes far beyond the forecourt.

Changing the dynamics of cars

“As more South Africans begin to understand these dynamics, the shift to electric becomes less about reacting to fuel prices and more about making a smarter long-term mobility choice,” Locke adds.

While the upfront cost of electric vehicles has historically been a barrier, the long-term economics are shifting rapidly in their favour.

Electric vehicles offer:

• Lower running costs: Charging an EV can cost significantly less per kilometre than petrol, particularly with home charging or off-peak tariffs, and lower service costs should help reduce the total cost of ownership over time.
• Energy independence: Less exposure to global oil shocks and currency volatility, giving consumers greater control over when and where they charge
• Future-forward infrastructure: South Africa is actively expanding EV charging networks, with policy support increasingly aligning with electrification

Volvo Car South Africa continues to expand its electric offering, reinforcing its global ambition to become a fully electric car company while helping local drivers transition with confidence.

Sources: Volvo | Advertorial 

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 Fuel Price Hikes May Spark Interest, But Volvo Says The Real Case For Electric Vehicles Runs Deeper 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

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 R3 Per Litre Relief: Finding a Silver Lining in SA’s Fuel Crisis appeared first on Good Things Guy.

New resources are helping employers build better relationships with domestic workers through dignity and care. The Dignity in Every Home Campaign is helping guide South Africans to become better employers.

South Africa (30 March 2026) – Some relationships shape a home in quiet, powerful ways. The person who helps raise your children, who keeps your space running when life feels overwhelming, who shows up day after day to care for the details that make everything else possible. And yet, across South Africa, the people doing this deeply personal work are too often unseen in the ways that matter most.

The Dignity in Every Home campaign is asking us to look again.

Launched as a national initiative, the campaign brings together Izwi Domestic Workers Alliance, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), the United Domestic Workers of South Africa (UDWOSA) and the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU). Its goal is both simple and profound: to support employers of domestic workers in creating working environments that are safe, fair, lawful and rooted in respect.

Employing someone in your home is not informal. It is not a favour. It is a workplace, and with that comes responsibility.

At the heart of the campaign are three practical resources designed to guide employers through what fair employment actually looks like in everyday life. Titled Are You A Fair Employer?, Code of Good Conduct for Accommodating Live-In Domestic Workers and Employing a Domestic Worker – A Legal and Practical Guide, these tools unpack everything from wages and working hours to leave, dismissal procedures and mandatory registration for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COIDA).

They are, importantly, written to be accessible. Not legal documents to intimidate, but guides to empower. When expectations are clear and rights are respected, something shifts. Workers gain security. Employers gain peace of mind. And homes become spaces of dignity, not imbalance.

Amy Tekie, co-founder of Izwi Domestic Workers Alliance, puts it plainly:

“As employers, we must understand the responsibility we take on when inviting someone to work in our homes. A cleaner or nanny must have the same labour rights we expect from our own employers.”

Her words land with weight when placed alongside the reality that many domestic workers still face. Long hours that stretch up to 14-hour days. Time spent away from their own families. Wages that fall below the legal minimum. And, behind closed doors, experiences of bullying, discrimination and, in some cases, abuse.

“It is now time for us to talk about this as a society,” Tekie says, “to admit that these practices are unconstitutional yet widespread, and to ensure that things change.”

One of the campaign’s most powerful tools is its “Are You a Fair Employer?” checklist, which doubles as an interactive quiz. It prompts employers to reflect on the basics: Are you registered for UIF and making monthly contributions? Are you paying at least the national minimum wage of R30.23 per hour? Are working hours capped at 45 hours per week? Are you treating your employee with respect at all times?

Simple questions, perhaps. But collectively, they reveal how easily gaps can form when systems are not understood or prioritised.

And then there is the matter of what that minimum wage really means. At R30.23 an hour, a full-time domestic worker earns around R5,239.46 a month. From that, they must cover transport, food, rent for their families, electricity, school costs and the everyday essentials most of us take for granted. The campaign encourages employers to go further where they can, using a Living Wage calculator to better understand what a truly sustainable income looks like.

For those employing live-in domestic workers, the campaign goes deeper still. Its Code of Good Conduct addresses a reality that is often overlooked: the conditions in which workers live. From restricted movement and limited access to shared spaces in residential estates, to rules in private homes that control what workers eat, where they go or whether they can have visitors, many practices still infringe on basic constitutional rights.

The Code sets out a different standard. One that affirms privacy, dignity, freedom of movement, and equal access. One that recognises that no job should come at the cost of a person’s humanity.

The third resource, a detailed legal and practical guide, supports employers in navigating the full employment relationship. From contracts and working hours to disciplinary processes and fair termination, it offers clarity in areas that can often feel complex or uncomfortable.

Together, these tools are doing more than ticking compliance boxes. They are helping reshape a national mindset. Fair employment is not just about following the law. It is about recognising the value of the people who hold our homes together. It is about building relationships based on trust rather than hierarchy. And, ultimately, it is about the kind of country we choose to be.

There are over one million domestic workers in South Africa. One million stories. One million lives woven into the fabric of households across the country.

The Dignity in Every Home campaign is a reminder that change does not always start in big, public spaces. Sometimes, it starts at your front door.

And what happens inside that space matters more than we think.

Sources:  Izwi – Supplied

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 The Dignity in Every Home Campaign is Asking South Africans to Do Better appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The world wanted this story to be real. In some cases, many believed did. You could feel it in every share, every comment and every headline that followed. But wanting something to be true and proving that it is are two very different things.

Global (27 March 2026) – Viral doesn’t always mean true. It means fast. It means emotional. It means shareable. And the story of the 7 dogs had all of that… in spades. A perfect mix of danger, loyalty and a journey home that felt like it had been written by Disney itself. The only problem is that the viral version wasn’t the real story.

A few days ago, a clip of 7 dogs moving together along a busy road in Changchun started doing the rounds on social media. 7 dogs, different shapes and sizes, sticking together as cars sped past them, moving with a unity that felt almost intentional. It looked like something out of a movie. It felt like something bigger. A story that pulled us in immediately.

Seven dogs stolen from their owners have gone viral after escaping from an illegal transport truck and making their way home.

They traveled around 17 km together, led by a corgi across highways and fields, now safely back with their respective owners.. pic.twitter.com/H5VB9BQkGB

— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) March 23, 2026

But then… things didn’t add up.

Here’s what is actually true. 7 dogs were filmed. That is the fact. Everything else that followed was layered on top through assumption, retelling and a version of storytelling that travelled far quicker than verification ever could.

The video was first captured in mid-March by a motorist near Changchun. He saw the dogs on a high-speed road, recognised the danger they were in, and shared the clip online, asking for help. That moment, that intention, is where the story begins. In the comments, he made a guess. He said the dogs “might have come from a transport vehicle”. It wasn’t something he witnessed. It also wasn’t something he could confirm. It was just a thought. Speculation.

But that thought became the foundation for everything that followed and within days the internet had built an entire narrative around it.

The story grew legs. The dogs were no longer wandering… they were “stolen”. Then they had “escaped from a truck”. Then they were fleeing “dog-meat traders”. Then they had travelled “17 kilometres home in formation”, turning into something cinematic and complete. Each version added more certainty, more emotion, more drama… until the speculation started to feel like fact.

But none of those details were ever confirmed.

Local journalists and volunteers went out to find the truth. They spoke directly to the original filmer. They traced the dogs. They knocked on doors and searched the surrounding areas, even using drones to try and locate where the animals had come from and where they were heading. What they uncovered was far less dramatic but no less real. The dogs hadn’t escaped from anything. There was no truck, no organised journey, no coordinated mission home. According to local verification and provincial authorities, the dogs had wandered off from a nearby village, drawn together by a female German Shepherd in heat, something entirely natural that just happened to look extraordinary when captured from the right angle at the right moment. The 17 kilometres was actually less than 4. And apparently, the dogs, who are all well looked after, wander often, but always come home.

And they did eventually go home.

The confusion sits in the middle of the story, where speculation quickly became “fact”, social media repetition became “proof” and emotion filled the gaps where evidence didn’t exist. Publications around the world picked up the dramatic version and ran with it, many sharing the story as “truth” before taking the time to verify it. Now, some of those very same outlets are revisiting their coverage. The Miami Herald has updated its reporting. People, which initially shared the more emotional version, has added an apology and clarification to its original article.

That is the cycle. Fast, emotional, shareable… and then, eventually, factual.

For us, here at Good Things Guy, it kinda feels like a moment of vindication. When we first saw the clip, we wanted it to be true just as much as everyone else did. There was something really beautiful in the idea of 7 dogs “being kidnapped and then escaping to find their way home together”. But there were gaps, and we noticed them immediately. Instead of running with the headline, we looked deeper. We read local reports (which we had to translate) and followed the details that didn’t line up. Good Things Guy was one of the first publications to say, “Hang on… this isn’t adding up.” And we felt the pushback. There were many comments telling us we were wrong and messages insisting the story was true. We even had emails with people sharing pictures (created by AI) who insisted the story was real and “we got it wrong”.

Still, we trusted our gut and stayed with it, leaning into the responsibility that comes with telling stories that reach millions of people. There is something incredibly important in that. Media has the power to shape how we feel, what we believe and how we see the world. It can lift, inspire and connect, but it can also blur the line between what is real and what is simply repeated enough times to feel real. That does not mean the intent is always wrong. It often comes from a place of wanting to share something good, something hopeful… something worth talking about. The challenge is holding onto truth while doing that.

The story may not have been what we thought it was but the reaction to it says everything about who we are. We still stop. We still care. We still lean into stories that make us feel something good. And maybe the real win here isn’t the version that went viral… it’s the reminder that there are still millions of people out there who want to believe in something kind and something connected. The world still believes in good things (and we believe that’s a really good thing).

Sources: Social Media | City Evening News | Dahe Daily | The Guardian | CNN | Various media outlets 

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 How 7 Dogs Became a Story The Internet Got Wrong (But it’s Still Good News) appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The numbers are in, the rankings are out, and yet the most important takeaway from this year’s happiness report has nothing to do with where a country sits on the list.

South Africa (22 March 2026) – GALLUP released its annual happiness rankings this week, just in time for International Day of Happiness (which was yesterday), and while the headlines might tempt you to look north toward snowy countries topping the charts, there’s a far more meaningful story unfolding when you read between the lines… and it feels incredibly familiar to us here in South Africa.

The World Happiness Report 2026 reveals a complex global picture, where some of the most developed nations are seeing declines in well-being, particularly among young people, while other regions are experiencing a rise in how people feel about their lives. It’s not as simple as money, infrastructure or status anymore. The data is pointing somewhere deeper, somewhere more human.

At the heart of it all is connection.

Across more than 140 countries, the strongest predictors of happiness are not economic, but social. Having someone to count on, feeling supported, experiencing generosity and belonging to a community all rank among the most important contributors to how people evaluate their lives.

Happiness isn’t built in isolation… it’s built together.

@brentlindeque A little perspective on international day of happiness. #happiness #igetto #gratitude #goodthings #perspective ♬ original sound – Brent Lindeque

And that’s where South Africa enters the conversation in a way that no ranking table could ever fully capture.

While we may not sit at the very top of a global index, there is something deeply powerful in the way South Africans show up for one another. It lives in the everyday moments that rarely make headlines. The neighbour who checks in, the stranger who helps, the communities that rally around those who need it most. It lives in our humour, our shared language of kindness, and that unmistakable sense of Ubuntu that continues to define who we are.

The report also shines a spotlight on the role of social media, particularly among younger generations, where heavy usage has been linked to lower well-being in several parts of the world. But the story isn’t entirely negative. When platforms are used to connect, communicate and build meaningful relationships, they can actually enhance happiness. The difference lies not in the technology itself, but in how we use it. That insight feels especially relevant in a country where digital spaces are often filled with stories of hope, support and shared humanity. South Africans have found ways to turn online platforms into places of encouragement, celebration and collective strength, proving that connection, whether physical or digital, still sits at the centre of what makes us feel good.

There’s also an important global shift happening that deserves attention. While youth well-being has dropped in certain Western countries, many parts of the world are seeing young people report higher levels of life satisfaction than they did two decades ago. It’s a reminder that the future is not defined by a single narrative, and that positive momentum exists, even if it doesn’t always dominate the news cycle.

And maybe that’s the real takeaway this International Day of Happiness.

Not that one country is happier than another, or that happiness can be neatly ranked and measured, but that the building blocks of a good life are already within reach. They exist in connection, in kindness, in community, and in the small, meaningful interactions that shape our days.

“Happiness isn’t something we find somewhere else or wait for someday. It’s something we build, moment by moment, in the way we show up for each other. It’s in the small acts, the shared laughter, the kindness we choose… that’s where the magic lives.”

South Africans have never needed a report to tell them that.

We see it every day, in stories that remind us who we are at our best. We feel it in the way people come together, in the laughter that cuts through difficult moments, and in the belief that even when things are tough, there is always something good worth holding onto.

And if happiness really is about building what is good in life, then perhaps we’re already doing more right than we realise.

Sources: GALLUP 

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 The World Measured Happiness… But This is What Really Matters appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Human rights exist on paper, but are they lived in reality? Professor Mias de Klerk explores the gap between South Africa’s constitutional promises and everyday life.

South Africa (12 March 2026) – South Africa’s Constitution is widely regarded as one of the most progressive in the world. It guarantees not only political freedoms, but also a wide range of social and economic rights, including the right to sufficient water, the right to healthcare services, the right to be free from violence, and the right to an environment that is not harmful to health and wellbeing.

Yet for many South Africans, these rights remain far closer to aspiration than reality.

Across the country, communities regularly endure days or even weeks without reliable access to water. Headlines report daily incidents of violent crime that devastate families and undermine people’s sense of safety. In many areas, failing municipal infrastructure leads to raw sewage flowing into rivers, damaging ecosystems and further contaminating already scarce water resources. Public healthcare services, though guaranteed, are often under severe strain, with hospitals struggling to meet basic operational requirements.

In recent reports, some public hospitals have even been unable to perform surgeries because essential infrastructure, such as air-conditioning in operating theatres, was not functioning. These are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper systemic challenges.

In such circumstances, the gap between the rights promised in law and the rights experienced in daily life becomes painfully clear.

Human rights exist to protect people from the abuse of power, to ensure justice and fairness, and to enable individuals to live with dignity and realise their potential. When these rights are not realised in practice, the consequences extend far beyond legal principles. They affect the daily lives, safety and well-being of millions of citizens.

Why does this gap persist between what is promised and what is delivered?

Part of the answer lies in a common confusion between intention and action. South Africa’s Constitution reflects powerful ideals and a sincere commitment to justice. But noble intentions alone cannot secure human rights. Rights only become meaningful when institutions function effectively and when those in positions of power are held accountable for protecting and delivering them.

There is an old saying that “the smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.” Having an impressive framework of rights is important, but it is only the first step. Without consistent action, effective governance and accountability, even the most ambitious constitutional promises remain unrealised.

Another challenge lies in how societies respond to failures of leadership and governance. Too often, citizens feel powerless or disengaged, losing the willingness to question poor performance or demand accountability from those entrusted with public responsibility. When this happens, those responsible for protecting rights can evade consequences, and the cycle of underperformance continues.

This raises an important distinction between weakness and meekness.

Weakness is characterised by passivity and resignation – a sense that little can be done to change the status quo. Meekness, however, is something entirely different. Meekness involves strength under control: the deliberate and disciplined use of power with humility, self-control and moral clarity.

In many traditions, meekness is misunderstood as submission or passivity. In reality, it represents a form of quiet strength – the ability to act with courage and conviction without resorting to aggression or self-interest. Meekness empowers individuals and communities to stand up for what is right while remaining grounded in principles of dignity and respect.

If South Africa is to close the gap between constitutional promise and lived reality, society must replace passive weakness with this form of principled strength.

Human rights cannot be protected by legislation alone. They require active citizenship, responsible leadership and institutions that function with integrity and competence. They also require a society willing to insist that public officials fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them.

Human Rights Day should therefore not only be a celebration of the rights written into our Constitution. It should also serve as a reminder that rights must be defended, realised and protected in the everyday lives of citizens.
South Africa has every reason to be proud of the principles embedded in its Constitution. But the true measure of those principles lies not in the words on paper, but in whether they are experienced as realities by the people they are meant to serve.

Only when our rights are consistently upheld in practice – in our communities, institutions and public life – will the promise of our Constitution be fully realised.

Mias de Klerk is Emeritus Professor in Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at Stellenbosch Business School.

Sources: Supplied

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 Opinion: Having Grand Human Rights Is Not Enough appeared first on Good Things Guy.

You don’t have to drop off the grid to get a good thing going! Becoming more self-sufficient at home starts with small – REALISTIC – steps that anyone can make.

South Africa (11 March 2026) – We’re not here to tell you the world is falling apart. But it is shifting, and the truth is that some of the best habits we can build aren’t born out of crisis at all. They come from a decision to do things a little differently…

To be a little less dependent on systems we can’t control, and a little more rooted in our own resourcefulness – you’d be surprised at just how much you might be holding back!

I first cottoned onto the idea of becoming ‘self-sufficient’ a few years ago, when I interviewed Tracey Michau, who after a career in corporate decided to change her life and become more independent doing so.

Tracey escaped the ‘rat race’ and now lives on her homestead in Cradock along with her husband, Toby, and their daughter, Savannah. She makes her own cheese, stores her own seeds, presses fresh juice straight from trees in her garden, and is a constant source of inspiration for people like me – and probably you, if you’re reading this – learning toward living a simpler, more independent lifestyle.

Our conversation sparked something in me. It made me realise that the greatest gift you can give yourself is independence to survive – and that, my friends, is a long game that demands you take small, thoughtful steps. Not big leaps.

You don’t need a farm and 20 chickens and 40 cows. You need a good mindset, and the willingness to start with small changes. Here are some ideas that have worked really well in kickstarting that journey for me!

Grow Something – Anything!

You don’t need a garden. You need a windowsill, a balcony, or even just a wall that faces the sun (vertical gardening is a thing!) Your go-to herbs like basil, parsley, mint, and chives grow happily in recycled yoghurt tubs, and they’ll save you money every single week. Spring onions regrow from their own roots in a glass of water on your kitchen counter. Lettuce and spinach can grow in old buckets on a balcony. If you have outdoor space – even a small stoep – tomatoes, peppers, and baby marrows are surprisingly easy and produce abundantly in our climate. And if you own your home, even a single fruit tree (a lemon, a fig, a guava) becomes a gift that keeps giving for many years.

Treat Water Like the Precious Thing It Is

You don’t need a borehole or a tank to be more water conscious, (though if you own your home, a Jojo is one of the best investments you can make). Slow and steady habits win the race, like keeping a bucket in your shower to catch the cold water while you wait for it to heat up can be used to flush the toilet or water your plants! Just the other day, I discovered that using a simple spray/mist bottle to clean apples or fruit can conserve loads of water while still rinsing away the nasties! Then there’s the age old toilet wisdom – ‘if it’s yellow…let it mellow’ – made even more effective by a spritz or two of homemade toilet drops – recipes are available all over the internet. None of these take more than a moment of intention and over time, they add up.

Save Seeds Like You’re Starting a Farm

Start saving seeds from what you eat – it builds food security for the future! This is a simple one, but you need to be informed before you start. It might be tempting to scoop the seeds from a tomato or pepper you’ve just bought at the shop and pop them in a pot, but this often doesn’t work the way you’d hope. Most produce sold in large supermarkets is grown from hybrid seeds which are bred specifically for commercial farming. The seeds inside those fruits and veggies may sprout, but the plant that grows from may be weak, unpredictable, or produce a very small yield. For seed saving to actually work, you need fresh produce grown from open-pollinated or heirloom varieties. For that, your best source is a farmers market, a small local grower, or a specialist seed supplier. Once you have the right source, saving seeds is simple! Rinse them, dry them on a paper towel, and store them in a labelled envelope somewhere cool and dry. Over time you build up a seed bank that costs you nothing.

Make Friends with Your Pantry

A well-stocked pantry is one of the most solid forms of security because you depend on food for survival. You don’t need to become a full-on ‘Doomsday Prepper,’ but it does help storing staples that a week of unexpected expenses or a shortage at the shops doesn’t send you into a spin! Plan your meals weekly. Shop with a list. Freeze bread before it goes stale. Freeze overripe bananas for baking. Learn to make one or two simple preserves – a chutney or a tomato sauce – especially when tomatoes are in season and cheap. Cook nose-to-tail! Broccoli stalks, cauliflower leaves, and potato skins are all perfectly delicious, beef and chicken bones make good stock and broth. Using every part of an ingredient is one of the easiest ways to stretch what’s in the fridge.

Make Friends With People!

Some of the most powerful self-sustainability isn’t actually about self at all, it’s about community. Getting to know your neighbours. Swapping surplus produce with your family or friends. Sharing a skill or starting a community garden. Buying staples together in bulk. The stokvel model has existed in South Africa for generations because collective resilience works!

Learn a Simple Skill

Learn one practical skill you don’t currently have. It could be sewing a button or hemming a pants, unclogging a drain, propagating plants, baking bread. YouTube has made this so accessible. Every skill you have is one less thing you have to pay someone else for, and one more thing you can offer someone else.

Pick one thing from this list. One tiny shift can make you feel so much more capable and a little less at the mercy of things outside your control. That’s not scarcity thinking, it’s wisdom and it’s always been available to us and we’re just choosing to lean into it.

Sources: GTG

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 Small Ways to Start Living a Little More Self-Sufficiently appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A touching story about a teenager protecting stray dogs has been shared thousands of times across social media, and although the story has been proven fake, the response shows just how much people still care about kindness and compassion.

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 March 2026) – There’s a story doing the rounds on Facebook right now that sounds exactly like the kind of thing that would melt your heart. A story that makes you stop scrolling, smile for a second, and maybe even share it with your friends because the world can feel a little lighter when you read something good.

But this one isn’t real.

A Facebook page called “Fact Fuel” recently shared a post that is currently going viral in South Africa. It tells the story of a young teenage girl who noticed stray dogs wandering along dark roads at night and decided to start using her pocket money to buy reflective collars for them so that drivers could see them in the headlights.

“On the busy streets of South Africa, traffic continues long after the sun goes down. Headlights sweep across dark roads where stray dogs often wander unseen, making them vulnerable to accidents. One teenage girl noticed this danger while walking home each evening. Instead of ignoring the problem, she began saving a portion of her pocket money to buy reflective collars that glow brightly when car lights hit them.

With every collar she purchases, another street dog becomes visible in the darkness. The reflective strips shine under headlights, giving drivers precious extra seconds to slow down or steer safely. She gently approaches the dogs she sees regularly, fastening the collars around their necks so they can move through the night more safely.

Her effort started with just a few collars, but the impact quickly spread through the neighbourhood. Residents began noticing the glowing bands along the roadside and understanding the purpose behind them. What began as one teenager’s small act of care now protects dozens of animals — proving that even simple ideas can illuminate the darkest streets.”

It’s a story that feels like it belongs on Good Things Guy. The problem is… it doesn’t exist.

The post has already garnered more than 13,000 reactions, with over 700 comments and more than 1,000 shares. I’ve been tagged in it multiple times, and I’ve seen it reposted by various pages, including a few South African ones, all sharing the exact same copy and image (or sometimes altering the photo using AI).

The truth is that the story is fake. The copy was generated by AI. The photo was generated by AI. And the Facebook page sharing it isn’t even based in South Africa. It’s based in India. But they’re telling a South African story because it opens them up to a brand new audience. Once you engage with a post like this, the algorithm starts feeding you more content from that page. And the more you interact with it, the more money they make from Facebook’s monetisation systems.

It’s emotional by design. Heartfelt. Carefully crafted to make you feel something so that you click, react, comment or share. And just like that, you’ve been pulled into the machine.

I’ve spoken about this before because there are dozens of pages doing exactly the same thing. They create feel-good stories that never happened, attach an AI-generated photo, sprinkle in just enough emotion and let the algorithm do the rest. But there is good news here, because spotting these stories is becoming easier once you know what to look for.

The first big red flag is vagueness. The story never mentions an actual place, and the teenager doesn’t have a name. Real stories have details. They tell you where something happened, who was involved, and usually how you can help or get involved yourself.

The second clue is the image. AI-generated photos are getting better but there is often still something slightly off about them. It’s difficult to explain unless you’ve looked at thousands of real images, but once you notice it, you start seeing it everywhere.

The third sign is when nobody credible is reporting on it. I’ve seen a number of pages reposting the story as if it’s their own, but every version is word-for-word identical. Same copy. Same photo. No original reporting. If this story were real, it would already be everywhere. And it would absolutely be on Good Things Guy.

And finally, the source matters. The page behind this post has a track record. If you search their name along with the words “fake news,” you’ll quickly see reports identifying the Facebook page Fact Fuel as a platform known for spreading fabricated, AI-generated or “well-meaning” misinformation.

So yes… this story about a teenager buying reflective collars for street dogs isn’t real. But the fact that so many people cared enough to react, comment, tag friends and share it says something incredibly important: South Africans want stories about kindness. They want stories about people helping animals. They want stories about someone noticing a problem and doing something about it.

And that part is very real.

The internet may be full of fake posts trying to trick us but it’s also full of people who still believe that small acts of kindness matter. And the more we learn to spot the difference between a manufactured story and a genuine one, the easier it becomes to make sure the real heroes get the attention they deserve.

So the next time a story pops up in your feed that feels almost too perfect, take a moment to check the details. Look at the source. Ask a few questions. While fake stories may travel fast, the real good news is that people are getting smarter about the stories they choose to believe.

Sources: Fact Fuel | Google Search 

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 This Viral Dog Story isn’t Real… But There’s Still Good News Here! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Joburg’s inner city has a reputation. Crime, decay, broken buildings and abandoned dreams. That’s the story most of us believe. On Monday, I discovered another one.

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 March 2026) – I stood in a kitchen, in the middle of the inner city of Joburg, where everything is “broken”. Crying. I was trying to hold it back. But it wasn’t working. Hope is contagious.

In the middle of a conversation with Chef Anthony, standing in a massive what-used-to-be corporate kitchen, listening to what they do. I cried. Robbie Brozin (who was standing next to me) hugged me. Ja, the co-founder of ‘Nando’s’ and the founder of ‘Jozi My Jozi’ could see (and feel) what was going on. And he comforted me.

The work that I do takes me to places that move me. Often. Our emails overflow with good news, but in equal measure, we receive daily messages from people in need. We connect them with the people who can help them. That’s exactly why we created ‘The Helpers’. Our “sister” platform. A place that connects South Africans with the help they need. And connects the helpers with South Africans (so that we can help them). And it’s working. The platform is busy. It’s connecting people. ‘The Helpers’ is helping.

But the work I do also takes me to places, physically.

Robbie has been trying to get me to come see what they are doing at ‘Jozi My Jozi’. He is so passionate about fixing the inner city. If you haven’t watched my poddie with him, please do. It’s such an important conversation.

And even though I sat in a room with him, talking about the work he is doing, I didn’t fully understand it.

I do now.

Hope is contagious.

So, we set a date. “Meet me at 44 Main, Marshalltown, on Monday”. This Monday. Last Monday. It’s taken me a while to process. But sitting here this morning, after MCing a three-day conference, watching the sunrise on a Saturday, I’m ready to tell you a story.

I wrapped up at eNCA on Monday morning and made my way to 44 Stanley. Ja, that wasn’t a typo. I instinctively thought I was going to that beautiful little shopping centre in Braams. Like, we were going “for lunch”, so it made sense. I had my birthday there a couple of years ago. At the brewery. It’s the cutest. You must go. But I was wrong. 44 Main is in the middle of the CBD.

I HATE the middle of Joburg. It scares me. It’s filled with crime. And you have to be on super-alert all the time. It’s dirty. And falling apart. Nothing works there. Everything is broken.

But when Robbie asks you to go to lunch, you go where he tells you.

I changed the address and followed my WAZE. It took me to a multi-storey parking. A massive plaque said “Anglo American Only”. I explained that I was there for ‘Jozi My Jozi’ and the security guard, with the biggest smile, welcomed me. I parked, and he explained that I needed to cross the road, walk down a block, then turn left to see the entrance.

WALK?!?! IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JOBURG CBD?!?!?

Verkeerde WhatsApp-groepie, Maritjie.

But it wasn’t. And I had to.

I took a deep breath. Shoved my phone deep into my pocket. And started walking.

There were security guards on every corner. And it was clean. And the gardens were so beautiful. There were people everywhere. Walking around. Corporates, students, tourists, and everything in between. At one point, I saw a ballerina, in full garb, drinking an iced coffee, walking like she was in the middle of New York.

I wish I had taken a picture.

A young lady, dressed in her ballet kit, walking in the inner city without a care in the world. Her hair looked like it had been glued back, with the most perfect bun I have ever seen. With one hand, she was sipping her coffee; on the other, she had a bag loosely hanging over her shoulder. Not clutching it in fear of anything. Confident as all hell. Walking in the middle of Joburg’s inner city.

This is not the Joburg I carry in my mind. This is not the Joburg anyone would imagine. But it is real. And it is true.

The entrance to the building was unreal. No, the entire building is unreal. Anglo American built it in the 1930s. It was, and still is, an absolute marvel. It was their headquarters for almost 100 years. But they left seven years ago. The building sat empty. They were trying to sell it. To leave the city, like so many have. “No one wants to be in the Joburg CBD.”

Robbie stepped in a couple of years ago and suggested that they don’t. His belief is that the Anglo building was one of the first in the city, and it needed to be steadfast. It needed to stay. And become something else. It needed to be the thing that helps rebuild the city.

Mal, I know. This guy is nuts. But it’s the “crazy” ones that get things done.

They trusted him and in just two short years, the plan started to take shape.

I met Robbie in his office. Right next to the original Oppenheimer office. Every corner of this building carries history. You can see it. You can feel it. The wooden panels, the windows, the thick carpets, the furniture, the art. Every single surface holds a story. I told Robbie, while looking out his window, “you would swear you were in New York. Or London. Or Paris.” It’s unreal.

We chatted for a while and then Robbie took me on a tour of the building. The Dr John Kani Performing Arts Academy has moved in. And the Joburg Ballet school (hence the ballerina walking the streets like she owns the place).

He took me to a floor to meet an organisation that is changing the way we address homelessness in the city. We went deep into a conversation about how they are breaking the cycle with real, sustainable tools. There are no “real” stats on the homelessness crisis in Joburg. The numbers sit anywhere between 8,000 to 30,000, depending on who you ask. But this organisation is physically changing that. They are getting people off the streets. And helping them restart their lives. They aren’t just talking about what they do. They are doing it.

It was at this point that I could start to see what Robbie is creating. The vision. The mission. The action. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. One of the buildings. One of the projects.

Robbie then told me that we had to visit the building across the road. On the way there, he pointed out other buildings. And what was going on behind the facades. Wits Business School is moving in there. All seven storeys. “MIT” is moving in there. Ja, a play on the words of the famous MIT. A school for information and technology. And that building is where the new clinic and pharmacy are going.

This all feels so hopeful. So… not broken.

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute (MII) is where we eventually landed up. A school and university that has around 3,000 students. Kids from the hardest backgrounds. All getting an education thanks to Dr Taddy Blecher.

The MII gets its name from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Indian teacher who founded Transcendental Meditation. The “Maharishi” part is simply a nod to him and the philosophy that inspired the school, while “Invincibility” comes from his idea that education should help people develop such strong inner confidence, clarity of thinking and personal capability that they become “invincible” in life. It’s not about being physically unbeatable, but rather about building the kind of mindset, skills and self-belief that help someone overcome obstacles and succeed. The institute adopted the name because its model blends academic learning with personal development and meditation, with the belief that when students strengthen both their education and their inner resilience, they’re far better equipped to navigate the real world.

We walked through the halls and classrooms. State-of-the-art facilities. Computer labs. And meditation rooms. And classrooms that look like they should be in a private school. There’s even a “tinker room”… a place filled with LEGO and motors, and connections to teach the kids about robotics. Robbie tells me that they are entering the Robotics Olympics this year.

One of the many, many floors is dedicated to “security”. Kids getting the skills to become professional security guards. It’s a three-year course. And all the third-year students have to do “practical”. Most of the security around the area are these kids. Even the person who signed us into the school is part of the programme.

Robbie explained that MII identifies gaps in the employment sector and then provides kids with the education they need to get jobs. They even have contracts with massive corporates to upskill these kids, and then give them guaranteed employment. 95% of their students leave MII and get jobs.

This is goosebump stuff. Life-changing.

Robbie tells me that the kids come from terrible circumstances. But this is giving them an opportunity. It’s hope in action. Before leaving, we walked through a massive quad in the middle of the building. It felt like I was in Stellies. Students sitting around. Chatting. Singing. Eating lunch. Being students.

The quad led to a huge canteen. And behind it, a kitchen that used to feed all the Anglo employees. It’s now the heart of this incredible space.

We chatted with a student from the culinary school, doing their “practical” in the kitchen. Lunch is over. And the kids have all been fed. His smile is contagious. His love for this school is infectious.

He tells us that he is enjoying what he is learning but it’s the sport he loves the most. I would later learn (after meeting Kristen Scott) about Maharishi Park. A modern sports clubhouse and multi-purpose fields for basketball and soccer that work together with MII’s top-tier fitness centre, all designed to support physical well-being, academic success, and personal growth. Kristen tells me most of these kids have only played on dirt fields. Now they get to experience world-class facilities. Changing their “normal”.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

Kristen and the team at MII understand this.

Robbie asked the student to call the head chef. Anthony Morris. We waited a minute and a man dressed in his double-breasted chef’s jacket popped out the back. He gave me a hug, then explained that the kitchen feeds all the students. Every day. The passion in his words made me so happy. And so sad. They have a lunch programme. And a breakfast programme. And a dinner programme. They allow the students to bring Tupperware, in case they need to take food home for their families.

I need you to read that again.

Chef Antony tells me that the school holidays are the hardest for him. Because he knows that many of the kids would go hungry. And so would their families.

I was completely overwhelmed.

You see, it’s not just about the food. Or the love that Chef Antony has. Or what the school is doing. Or how this part of the city is coming back to life. Or the fact that there are plans to do more. Or that it is actually happening.

It’s that it is also helping.

Jozi My Jozi’s plan is working. It is changing the inner city.

And that’s when Robbie hugged me.

I get it now my friend. I understand what you have been working on.

Hope… is contagious.

We left the building and walked down Main Street. Passed more buildings with more plans. Passed more people walking around. Carrying their laptops. Drinking their coffees. Chatting to friends and colleagues. Eventually we landed up at Sadie’s Bistro. A beautiful restaurant. In the heart of the city. With tables in the street.

It feels like this little gem should be in Sandton, or the Parks… or even Paris. But here it is, in the middle of Jozi.

The owner, Julian Ribeiro, tells me that he left his very fancy corporate job, went to culinary school and opened Sadie’s Bistro in 2022. He knew that he wanted to open a restaurant. And he knew that he wanted it to be in the middle of the city.

He believes that is how we fix Joburg… by leaning in.

The restaurant, named after his grandmother, who gave him his passion for cooking, sits right next to the old JSE building. Julian took us into the reception where old photos hang on the walls, showing traders “back in the day”. The “Closing Prices” dated the 7th of December 1978 is still there, all written on a massive chalkboard.

Back at the restaurant, there is a buzz. It’s packed. People having meetings. People having lunch. And it was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. We sat chatting about the private tour Robbie just gave me. The insight into how this little part of the city is changing. And how that change is contagious.

When I walked back to my car, I felt less scared. My phone wasn’t as deep in my pocket. I looked around at how life is returning here. At how “not broken” this place is. At how this could possibly be the thing that turns Joburg around.

And yes, it’s just a small part of the city. And it’s absolutely crazy to think that this may be the start of a revolution.

But there is hope here.

And hope… is contagious.

Sources: Brent Lindeque OpEd 

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 Hope is Contagious! The Joburg CBD Story We’re Missing! appeared first on Good Things Guy.