What should have been a devastating medical emergency turned into a story of rapid recovery, thanks to quick thinking, expert care, and being in the right place at the right time.

Western Cape, South Africa (01 April 2026) – Una van Rhyn didn’t have time to second-guess herself. One moment her husband was resting on the couch, the next he was lying on the floor, unable to move. Minutes later, behind the wheel with everything on the line, she made a call that would change the outcome of that day… and the days that followed.

When Una found Andrew face down on the living room carpet last November, she knew instantly that something was terribly wrong. The 65-year-old contractor from Melkbosstrand had been resting just moments earlier and now his right side appeared paralysed. It looked like a stroke… and every second suddenly mattered.

What followed, in Una’s words, was “an absolute stroke of luck, and God sent”.

“We were driving towards another hospital where Andrew’s regular doctor practised when he suffered what appeared to be a second stroke right there in the car. As his body went limp beside me, I made the decision that I believe saved his life – I pulled into the nearest hospital instead,” she recalls.

That nearest hospital turned out to be exactly where they needed to be. Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital had only weeks earlier become the first hospital in the Western Cape to achieve World Stroke Organization Essential Stroke Centre certification. It is one of just two hospitals in Africa to hold this distinction, alongside Netcare Garden City Hospital in Gauteng. In that moment, none of that was front of mind for Una. She just knew she needed help. What she found was a team ready to act with urgency, skill and care.

“Andrew was unresponsive when we arrived at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital’s emergency department. When he finally came to, tears were streaming down his face. He kept trying to speak but could not form the words. I could see him struggling, desperate to say something,” she says.

It was a frightening scene, made heavier by Andrew’s medical history. He had experienced a mild stroke in 2020 and had been living with serious endocrine issues for nearly four decades. This time felt different. More severe. More uncertain.

And yet, within that uncertainty, something remarkable began to unfold.

“The entire emergency team was incredible. Dr Charl Carstens and the unit manager, Claudette Lotz, kept me fully informed throughout. When their shift ended at 7 pm, no one left. The whole team stayed until Andrew was stable and transferred to the ICU. That level of dedication made all the difference – healthcare professionals don’t get nearly enough recognition for this sort of commitment,” Una adds.

Under the care of neurologist Dr Dinita Devchand, Andrew’s treatment followed internationally recognised protocols designed for exactly these kinds of critical moments. Stroke care is measured in minutes, and the systems in place ensured that every one of those minutes was used effectively.

Dr Devchand explains it clearly: “When blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced, brain tissue can no longer get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die – a reality captured by the saying ‘Time is brain’.”

“This critical neurological damage makes acute stroke a medical emergency where every second counts, and it is this urgency that drives every aspect of our treatment protocols, from the moment a patient enters through our emergency department to their recovery.”

In South Africa, that urgency carries even more weight. Around 75,000 people suffer strokes each year, with 25,000 cases proving fatal. Survivors often face long-term challenges, with an estimated 95,000 collective years lived with disability. Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest stroke incidence rates in the world.

Which is why access to the right care, at the right time, can change everything.

The World Stroke Organization certification represents a comprehensive system of care, from rapid assessment protocols and specialist stroke teams to advanced imaging, treatment options and rehabilitation services. According to Sr Sylvia Ninham, nursing services manager at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, these standards directly influence patient outcomes.

“Quicker treatment times, access to the latest therapies, and teams equipped with proven protocols can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent disability,” she explains.

For Andrew, it meant something extraordinary. His previous, milder stroke in 2020 had kept him in hospital for over a week. This time, despite the severity, he was back at work in just ten days.

“I know it sounds strange to say this about a stroke, but the whole experience was actually as positive as something like this could turn out to be. The entire team was simply fantastic. They made all the difference,” says Una.

There is also a message here that goes beyond one family’s experience. Up to 90% of strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes and managing risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, reducing stress and going for regular check-ups all play a role.

“Stroke is often called a ‘brain attack’ because it closely resembles what occurs during a heart attack. The same lifestyle changes that protect your heart can also help safeguard your brain,” adds Dr Devchand.

At its core, this story is about a moment. A decision made under pressure. A turn into the nearest hospital instead of the familiar one. A team that showed up and stayed. And a system that worked exactly as it was designed to.

Sources: Netcare 

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

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

The post A Life-or-Death Moment, a Quick Decision, and a Recovery Few Could Believe appeared first on Good Things Guy.

For children who have faced more than most, finding a space to feel safe, strong and in control can change everything… and that’s exactly what’s happening here.

Johannesburg, South Africa (21 March 2026) – For the past year, I’ve been riding a motorbike thanks to Linex Sandton Yamaha… and while that’s been an adventure on its own, this story isn’t about me. It’s about what happens when those same bikes become something far more meaningful.

In an exclusive interview with Tiffini Hein from The Maletsatsi Foundation, I got to unpack how a “happy accident” grew into Team Zonke… a programme where motorbikes are helping children rebuild confidence, process trauma and find their footing again.

“Team Zonke has been the best thing we have done for our children and their mental and physical well-being.”

From the start, Tiffini makes it clear this wasn’t planned. It came from a gap that needed filling. Traditional therapy simply isn’t always accessible for children in care, especially when legal processes or systemic challenges get in the way.

“Truthfully, Team Zonke is a very happy accident,” she says.

“Traditional therapy is notoriously difficult for kids in care to access, and there are a number of reasons for that. Children who are involved in criminal cases are often not permitted to access talk therapy until those cases are closed, because it’s seen as potentially influencing their testimony, and that process can take years. So you have a child arriving in your care having been through something incredibly traumatic, needing support immediately, but unable to access the very systems that are meant to help them. And even outside of that, therapy is just not easily accessible for many of our families… there are language barriers, financial constraints and often just the overwhelming complexity of navigating it all.”

That reality led to a decision rooted in instinct rather than strategy. One child needed an outlet but the suggested path didn’t feel right.

“Just over two years ago, one of our children was finally able to access a combination of therapies, all of which he absolutely hated, and the recommendation was to get him into wrestling as a way to channel his energy. But my gut just didn’t sit right with that. These kids already carry so much, and there is already so much stigma attached to children in alternate care. I didn’t want to place him in an environment where he might be misunderstood or labelled again. I also didn’t want to see him in a space that simulated fighting… they’ve had enough of that in their lives already.”

So she looked closer to home. And what she found was a motorbike. Her husband has always ridden motorbikes, so there were always bikes around, and at the time, there was a small kids’ bike in the garage that hadn’t really been used.

“We popped a helmet on him, put him on the bike and enrolled him in some basic coaching, just to see what would happen. And then we started watching him blossom. I mean the change in this child was unbelievable. It wasn’t just about the riding, it was about confidence, about presence, about something shifting inside him.”

That shift didn’t stay with just one child. It sparked curiosity. It drew others in. And before long, something bigger began to take shape.

By Tiffini’s own words, their home had become “a melting pot of trauma and medical stress.” The children had experienced loss, uncertainty and emotional weight that few should carry so young. The bikes arrived into that space… and slowly, something changed.

“The bikes came in and started becoming an outlet for so much of that. We started seeing children who were so overwhelmed by stress that they couldn’t even make eye contact begin to find confidence behind a helmet, and then slowly bring that confidence into their everyday lives. We saw kids become stronger, more aware, and more capable of making decisions.”

What happens on the track doesn’t stay on the track. Their riders have learnt to master both their bikes and their emotions. They learn to assess risk, to recognise danger, and to make informed decisions. That carries directly into daily life. But Tiffini believes the most important shift is that riding gives them back something that was taken from them. That something is deeply personal… and incredibly powerful.

“For many of our children, ownership of their bodies has been taken from them, whether through abuse, neglect or medical trauma. On a bike, that changes. They are the ones making the decisions. They choose the speed, they assess the risk, they decide when to push and when to pull back. It’s not something that is done to them, it’s something they actively create. And that is profoundly healing.”

This is where Linex Yamaha becomes part of the story. Not just as a sponsor but as an early believer.

“Yamaha was the first corporate to really see Team Zonke and believe in it as something real. They sponsored one of our first bikes, and that belief meant more than I think they even realise. Because behind the scenes, we are making this work through what I jokingly call ‘mom math’, but in reality, it’s a lot of personal sacrifice. We are investing everything we can into this because we’ve seen what it does for the kids, but we also know that we can’t sustain it alone forever.”

And when you hear the stories of the kids, that support starts to make even more sense.

“We have one little guy who was told he would never walk and that he wouldn’t amount to much, and he kept watching the other kids ride and saying, ‘Mommy, mine want to ride’. One day I just decided that we were going to make it happen. We went to Yamaha, got him onto a bike, and he just took off. The joy on his face was something I will never forget. Today, he rides like he owns the track.”

“I mean, imagine being told you would never walk and then quite literally giving the middle finger to the world by hopping onto a motorbike.”

Tiffini speaks with so much passion about that story. The video she shared with me made me see why. But there are more stories like that. Stories of kids finding their voice, their confidence and their place again.

“We have another young man who came into our home carrying a level of trauma that is difficult to describe, and over time, through riding and being part of this team, we’ve watched him find himself again. He’s now editing videos of his rides, he’s found confidence on the bike, he’s standing on podiums, and his dad said to me recently, ‘Mum T, this boy is more than my ancestors could dream.’”

Looking ahead, the focus is simple. Keep going. Grow the impact. Bring more kids into the fold.

“We’ve got our Ride for a Reason campaign this year, which is about creating awareness and raising funds so we can keep this going. Riding is eye-wateringly expensive, from the bikes to the gear to the nutrition, but the return is something you can’t measure on paper. We just need more people to understand why this matters.”

And maybe that’s the most important part of the story. Not the bikes or the races… the shift. Kids who once felt small now taking up space. Kids who didn’t have control now making decisions. Kids who were defined by what happened to them now defining what comes next.

“You can see it in the way they ride. You can feel it in the way they show up.”

And once you see it, you understand… this is working.

Click here for more information about The Maletsatsi Foundation or Linex Yamaha.

Sources: Interview with Tiffini Hein 

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 When Motorbikes Became a Lifeline for South African Kids! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A new global study ranking the best cities to raise a family in 2026 has placed Johannesburg first among South African cities, with Cape Town and Durban also making the international top 50.

Global (08 March 2026) – There are an estimated 15,000 cities around the world, each one filled with families raising kids, building communities and trying to create meaningful lives. So when a global study narrows that down to just 50 cities worth highlighting, it becomes something worth talking about… especially when 3 South African cities make the list.

A new study by Compare the Market AU ranked cities around the world to determine the best places to raise a family in 2026, using 9 key data points that include safety, happiness, cost of living, family benefits, green spaces, vaccination rates and education investment.

Cities like Brisbane, London, Auckland, Helsinki and Sydney claimed the top 5 spots, but further down the list, among some of the biggest global metros, were 3 familiar names: Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

They ranked 41st, 46th and 49th, respectively.

Now, that might not sound like a headline victory. But when you consider that the world has thousands of cities competing for that recognition, simply landing inside the top 50 is something worth celebrating. And perhaps more importantly, the rankings remind us of something locals already know… raising a family in South Africa comes with a lifestyle that many parts of the world can only dream about.

Johannesburg Leads the Local Rankings

Johannesburg ranked highest among South African cities, at number 41, with an overall index score of 3.307.

The city’s score reflects a combination of lifestyle indicators that matter to families. There are 126 activities for children, access to green spaces, and strong national investment in education, with South Africa allocating around 6% of GDP to education, one of the highest proportions in the global comparison.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Growing up in Johannesburg means things like visiting Gold Reef City, exploring museums and science centres, or spending weekends discovering markets, parks and local adventures.

And then there’s the bigger playground that exists just beyond the city limits… within a few hours’ drive, families can stand on the edge of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons on Earth, or travel along the Panorama Route, a scenic stretch of Mpumalanga famous for waterfalls, forests and incredible viewpoints, or visit Kruger National Park! Those are childhood memories that stay with you forever.

Cape Town Brings the Natural Wonder

Cape Town ranked 46th globally, with an index score of 3.180, and anyone who has spent time there knows exactly why it would appear on a list like this.

The city scored highly for lifestyle factors, including 275 things to do with kids, and offers something few places on Earth can compete with… daily access to nature that feels almost cinematic.

Families can hike up Lion’s Head or spend weekends exploring beaches and tidal pools along the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain alone attracts visitors from around the world who hike or ride the cableway to its flat summit overlooking the city. Kids growing up there might spend one weekend visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach, one of the only places where African penguins can be seen up close in the wild, and the next exploring colourful neighbourhoods like Bo-Kaap or wandering the V&A Waterfront. And of course, wine farms, mountain trails and ocean sunsets are simply part of everyday life.

Durban’s Coastal Childhood

Durban rounded out the South African trio in 49th place, with an index score of 2.752, supported by a lower cost of living and a lifestyle centred around the ocean.

For many families, Durban childhoods look like surf lessons, beach walks and long summer evenings along the Golden Mile. And when the adventure bug really bites, families can head inland to the Drakensberg, where mountains like Giant’s Castle and the surrounding nature reserves offer hiking, wildlife and ancient rock art experiences that feel worlds away from city life.

Interestingly, many of the experiences that make South Africa such a wonderful place to grow up appear on our “100 Things to Do in South Africa” list.

Things like visiting the Wilds, spotting Whales in Hermanus, or walking across the Bloukrans Bridge are not just bucket-list adventures for travellers… they are experiences that families here can actually access. And that’s something incredibly powerful. While global rankings measure statistics like safety scores and cost of living, they cannot capture community spirit, family braais, or road trips that turn into lifelong memories.

3 South African cities appearing in a global top-50 list is not about claiming perfection. We all know the challenges our cities face but it does highlight something many of us forget when the headlines get heavy: South Africa remains a country filled with extraordinary places, incredible people and experiences that are rich with culture, nature and adventure.

And that feels like a pretty good reminder that there is still so much good worth celebrating about raising a family in South Africa.

Sources: Compare the Market AU 

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 Johannesburg Named South Africa’s Best City for Families! 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 

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

South Africa met Rudolf Lakay standing at a taxi rank with a tray of sweets. Today, he’s stepping into a future shaped by opportunity, education and belief.

South Africa (01 March 2026) – When Rudolf Lakay first appeared on our timelines, he wasn’t asking for sympathy or shortcuts. He was doing what so many South Africans do when faced with a challenge: waking up early, showing up and putting in the work. Before the school bell rang, the Florida High matriculant could be found at the Mitchells Plain town centre taxi rank, selling sweets to commuters with one clear goal in mind… to pay for his matric dance and help his family at home.

That moment struck a chord across the country. A young man choosing effort over excuses, pride over pity and action over waiting for something to change. When the video of Rudolf’s early morning hustle made its way onto social media, South Africans responded with the kind of generosity that reminds you why this place still surprises you in the best ways.

A crowdfunding campaign launched by Renaldo Gouws set out to raise R10,000. Within 30 minutes, it had already passed R35,000. By the time the donations slowed, more than R80,000 had been raised.

Renaldo summed it up simply at the time, “Let’s show this young man that hard work is rewarded and that there are many kind souls out there who will always assist those who are willing to put their shoulder to the wheel.”

The support meant Rudolf could attend his matric dance with dignity but the ripple effects went far beyond one night. That early act of backing a determined teenager opened doors that are now reshaping his life.

Those early mornings eventually caught the attention of Raa-iq Solomons, Senior Student Advisor at Emeris, who saw more than a side hustle. He saw a young man with drive who needed guidance and access.

“When I first came across Rudolph, I could see the sincerity and determination of a young man who didn’t grow up with much. Reaching matric is already a huge milestone in our communities,” Solomons says.

That conversation became a turning point. Through mentorship, advice on study options and help navigating bursary opportunities, Rudolf’s path shifted from survival to strategy. A collaboration between Emeris and the Alfeco Foundation followed, ensuring that financial barriers would not stand in the way of his next chapter. The Alfeco Foundation committed to covering 50% of his tuition, study materials, accommodation and food expenses for the next three years, while Emeris stepped in to cover the remaining costs. Together, they backed more than a degree; they backed potential.

Rudolf is now enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce in Strategic Management at Vega School at Emeris Cape Town City. The programme blends academic rigour with practical projects, giving him the tools to sharpen his ideas and test them in the real world. True to form, he hasn’t waited to finish studying before applying what he’s learning. Alongside his coursework, he continues running small ventures, using each project as a classroom of its own.

“I plan to use my practical experiences while studying by applying the knowledge I learn and approaching projects with my problem-solving skills,” he says.

At the heart of it all is a promise he made long ago.

“Growing up, I could never ask my mum for things like new shoes or gifts, but I promised myself that one day I would buy her everything she wished for,” Rudolf shares.

He also carries a hope that reaches beyond his own story.

“I want to see the youth of Mitchell’s Plain not be ashamed of where they come from and prevent their circumstances from determining their future,” he says.

This story began before sunrise at a taxi rank but it is clearly headed somewhere much bigger. With education, support and an unshakable work ethic behind him, Rudolf is no longer just chasing dreams… he is building them, step by step, with intention and purpose.

Sources: Rudolf Lakay 

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

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

The post How a Tray of Sweets Changed Rudolf Lakay’s Future! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

When a Durban florist realised her customers were being redirected elsewhere online, she spoke from the heart… and South Africans responded with orders, encouragement and a collective decision to stand with her.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (23 February 2026) – Roxi Gordon wasn’t chasing attention, algorithms or headlines… she was sitting in her car, overwhelmed and frustrated, trying to process the realisation that her small flower shop was losing customers in a way that felt deeply unfair. What followed was not outrage or division, but something far more powerful: people choosing empathy, kindness and action.

Roxi runs ‘Flowers on Kensington‘ in Durban North alongside her mom, Gai. They had taken over the long-standing neighbourhood florist only a few months earlier, pouring heart, energy and every spare cent into keeping a small business alive during one of the busiest and most important trading periods (for a florist) of the year.

Valentine’s Day mattered. Every order mattered.

The week leading up to V-Day, a friend searched for Flowers on Kensington on Google, clicked what looked like the correct result and made a purchase… but the order never arrived at Roxi’s shop. Instead, it had gone to NetFlorist, whose paid Google advert appeared when Roxi’s business name was searched. The name “Flowers on Kensington” showed up but the URL led somewhere else. Roxi was heartbroken when she heard the news. The florist filmed a short TikTok, speaking honestly through tears about what it felt like to put everything into a small business, only to feel edged out by forces far bigger than you. She had around 100 followers at the time. She wasn’t trying to go viral; she was just being human.

@flowers.on.kensington help me… fuck them… never mind me crying in the middle of this video… I’ll be okay #ValentinesDay #SupportLocal #Flowers #Roses #netflorist @NetFlorist South Africa ♬ original sound – Flowers on Kensington®

What happened next surprised everyone, including Roxi herself.

“I’ve now been called ‘the girl from the TikTok video’ and I’m not upset about it,” she laughed later.

“Jokes aside, it was really a surreal experience. I couldn’t understand why. I mean, I know why… but more so… why me? What made me so special? And the truth is I’m not. I was just having a little vent in my car. But I think what hit me the most was the phenomenon of feedback, support and love I received in return. The kindness and generosity deeply humbled me. I am truly blessed.”

Strangers didn’t just comment or share, they acted. Orders started coming in. Then more. Then hundreds. People phoned the shop directly. Others placed orders online just to show support. One even came through from Switzerland.

“What surprised me the most was when people started ordering flowers online for me. And not just one. A few people did it. Others phoned and ordered flowers by the hundreds (literally). And I was so moved by how good the hearts of South Africans are… and the people of the world, coz this has gone beyond South Africa. I had an order all the way from Switzerland yesterday!!!!”

It became something bigger than flowers. It became a reminder of why small businesses matter, not only for jobs and local economies, but for connection, care and community.

“I love the creative side of building a business from an entrepreneur point of view. Big or small,” Roxi explained.

“Spar is a big corporate company, which South Africans love and support daily. But so is the little spaza shop providing the same service. I think they both have an important part to play in society. At the end of the day, there is still a human who makes all the decisions. And humans all need to be treated with kindness and respect. Big or small, we all trying our best…”

Importantly, Roxi never asked for anger to be directed at anyone. In fact, she did the opposite. As emotions ran high online, she urged people not to attack or leave negative reviews unless they had personally experienced poor service.

“Why would I want to spread negativity… yuk… I don’t want to attract that kind of attention. I never wanted to take them out as a company. I just wanted them to stop using my business name in their advertising. And now, after seeing the comments, I hope they continue to stop using mine and other florists’ business names in their advertising.”

Following the viral moment, NetFlorist confirmed to Wendy Knowler in a News24 interview that they had added “negative keywords” to ensure that “Flowers on Kensington” would no longer be used in their Google advertising, while they investigated how it happened. The practical issue was addressed but the bigger impact had already landed.

When I visited Roxi and her mom at the shop and paid for the bouquet I’d promised to buy, plus one for a local charity, the energy was different. Busy, absolutely. But lifted, supported and seen.

Looking back now, Roxi hopes other small business owners take courage from what unfolded.

“The support is out there. Sometimes it comes from a place you least expect,” she said.

“Keep persevering, keep trying your best, keep showing up, keep thinking out of the box, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be bold. Show how different or unique you are from the next business. Remember: people buy from people. Especially if it’s such a personal product. In a world of technology, we need to keep the human touch.”

And because gratitude is best expressed through action, Roxi decided to give all that kindness back to the community that supported her.

“There is no way to thank the community for the outpouring of love and support, so I’ve decided we will be doing a 10% off all website orders for the next three months!!!!! 10% off till the 10th of May, which is Mother’s Day!!! And the discount code is my business initials with the number 10, yes, that’s FOK10,” she said with a cheeky smile.

And that is the heart of this story… kindness and community. A moment of frustration turned into a movement of support. One honest video sparked a conversation about fairness, ethics and humanity in business. And a small flower shop in Durban North reminded a whole country, and far beyond, that when people choose to be good, really good things can grow.

Sources: Interview with Roxi Gordon | Flowers on Kensington | News24 

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

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

The post How Honesty Turned a Small Flower Shop into a National Cause! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Eastern Cape has seen centuries of loss, but standing at Founders Lodge, surrounded by wildlife and stories of recovery, it became clear that decline is not the only possible ending.

Eastern Cape, South Africa (22 February 2026) – Founders Lodge: Where hope grows. That’s the title I chose while I was driving in a game vehicle, surrounded by wildlife. But also hope. Hope was all around me.

I was invited to Founders Lodge by Mantis (or Founders as I now call it), a luxury boutique safari lodge set on its own private land in the Eastern Cape, with traversing rights on Shamwari Game Reserve, and yes, it had all the bells and whistles, thoughtful spaces, generous comfort, food served in the most breathtaking locations and sunsets that made my shoulders drop, my breath slow down and my jaw unclench. The lodge even has a luxury train carriage where you can sleep… but Founders is so much more than just indulgence alone.

Founders is a living story of restoration, adaptability and very real good news that deserves to be shared.

Founders Lodge was once the home of conservationist Adrian Gardiner, and over breakfast one morning, I had the chance to sit with him and listen. This man makes you lean in. His stories shift perspective. He makes you believe that we can take something broken and not only fix it, but build it into something that thrives. Adrian was a successful businessman (and still is) in Port Elizabeth who, in 1990, bought a 1,200-hectare farm as a family weekend escape. Curiosity changed everything. As he researched the land’s history, he discovered that the Eastern Cape had once been one of the richest wildlife regions in Africa in terms of biodiversity. The Big Five were first encountered here. What followed centuries of farming, hunting and drought was a landscape stripped of vegetation and wildlife. That realisation sparked something. No, it lit a fire inside of him, and what began as a personal project became a mission to restore what had been lost and prove that conservation could work for nature and people alike.

“I found my passion”, he tells me.

After years of running various businesses, Adrian decided to put all his effort into an uncharted world for him. Bringing back wildlife to an area where there was none.

“It wasn’t easy. And the outcome was never guaranteed. But I knew that this was something I wanted to try to do,” Adrian explained.

What Adrian and his team took on here was enormous. You don’t undo almost 300 years of damage with good intentions and a few years of effort. And many people believed it could not be done at all. But Adrian had that fire in him. He knew this project would need people willing to think in decades, not seasons, and every single person had to invest in something they might never fully see completed. The work began at ground level, literally rebuilding life from the soil up, before animals could ever return. Negotiations began, fences were removed, the land was restored, and, slowly, it began to respond.

Being in the reserve, you’re constantly aware of what was lost, what was found and what has been clawed back.

We have a rule at Good Things Guy to not write about rhinos while giving away their locations but I simply cannot leave them out of this story. There were so many of them. I have been lucky enough to travel to many lodges around our beautiful country and I have never seen that many rhinos in one location. In South Africa, where poaching has devastated populations over the past two decades and where we have mourned animal after animal lost to greed, this felt almost unreal. Yet here, and across many parts of the Eastern Cape, the story has shifted. The guides tell me they handle poaching differently.

This is the place where hope grows.

Of course, the land is alive with far more than rhinos. Elephants move through valleys that were once bare. Lions rest where cattle once grazed. Giraffe, buffalo, zebra and antelope form part of a balanced system that is finding its rhythm again. There is something deeply grounding about watching animals behave as they are meant to, unhurried and unthreatened, while knowing how close we came to losing this entirely.

The lodge was full, a mix of South Africans and international guests, many of whom had never been to our country before. On one game drive, we had a couple from the UK sitting with us in the vehicle. We came across a lion kill. The female lay sleeping under a bush to the left, the male mirrored her on the right, and between them four small lion cubs were eating, playing, tumbling over one another, completely unaware of how rare and precious that moment was.

The woman sitting next to me suddenly began to cry. Seeing her tears made me well up.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so raw and so beautiful. I’ve travelled a lot, but this… this makes you feel so small. I didn’t realise places like this still existed.”

It was her first visit to South Africa, and in that moment, I could see how deeply it had already settled into her heart. They had chosen this lodge as it was “close” to Cape Town, where they had spent the previous week. And it is a malaria-free area.

There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing our country through the eyes of someone experiencing it for the first time. As South Africans, we live with these landscapes, these stories and this beauty so close to us that it can sometimes fade into the background of daily life, if we’re lucky enough to visit lodges. But watching a visitor be moved to tears by a moment that feels almost ordinary to us brings it all back into focus. Moments like that shift perspective. They remind us that the work being done here matters far beyond our borders. That every animal protected, every hectare restored, every community that shows up when it counts, is shaping how the world sees South Africa. Not through headlines or stereotypes, but through lived, emotional experiences that stay with people long after they’ve gone home.

This is where hope grows.

At one point, while sitting at breakfast, I said to Adrian that I couldn’t quite get my head around the scale of what had been achieved here. That it felt almost impossible when you consider where the land started.

He took a sip of his coffee and very profoundly said, “At the beginning, I didn’t think about what it would look like one day. I just knew that leaving it as it was wasn’t an option.”

Then he added, “If you’re willing to commit to the long road, the land will meet you there.”

Founders wasn’t built on optimism. It was built on persistence and passion.

But my journey didn’t end at Founders Lodge. I also visited Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, just outside Port Elizabeth, another of Adrian’s projects and a place that challenges everything you think you know about conservation. Nyosi is a first-of-its-kind peri-urban reserve, nestled between two cities, where wildlife roams freely while human life continues just beyond the boundary. It is surreal to sit on a hill, watching animals move through the landscape, while a city hums in the distance. But it also feels right. Animals were here first. They deserve space, even when that space exists side by side with people.

What makes Nyosi work isn’t just vision or planning. It’s people. The surrounding community understands what this land represents and what it has taken to restore it. They don’t see it as separate from themselves. They see it as something worth protecting.

Just a couple of weeks before my visit, a devastating fire broke out many kilometres away and spread fast, fuelled by dry land and wind. The Eastern Cape has been in a drought for more than a decade. Fires here are not just dangerous; they are relentless. Large parts of Nyosi were scorched. You can still see the marks on the land, blackened earth and trees standing as reminders of how close it came to being lost again. The fire burned for two days.

But that’s not the story that matters.

When the flames reached the reserve, the community arrived. Forty bakkies strong. Ordinary men and women who dropped what they were doing and showed up. For 48 hours, they fought the fire together, creating firebreaks, protecting animals and refusing to let years of restoration be undone in a single weekend. There was no fanfare and no expectation of recognition… just a shared understanding that this land mattered and it needed them.

Our guide tears up a little as he explains how much the community cares about this project.

“This reserve isn’t something that exists apart from the community,” he tells us. “It’s part of their lives. So when the fire started, they showed up the same way you would for family.”

This is where hope grows.

Nyosi is also where cheetahs are being reintroduced. We tracked a cheetah for almost an hour, who has called Nyosi home for 2 years now and has raised 4 cubs in that time. It’s impossible not to feel the weight of what that means. Cheetahs are listed as Vulnerable, facing a very real risk of extinction, with fewer than 7,000 left in the wild. They’ve disappeared from roughly 90% of their historic range, pushed out by habitat loss, human conflict, dwindling prey, and genetic challenges that make survival even harder. For a species built for speed, their future has been painfully fragile. But Nyosi is changing that narrative. This project isn’t about placing cheetahs into a fenced space and hoping for the best. It’s about giving them room to do what they do naturally, space to hunt, to move, and exist without constant pressure or interference. The reserve has been carefully prepared, prey populations restored, landscapes opened up and monitored, and long-term thinking put ahead of short-term results.

You need to put Nyosi on your list of places to visit. Even just for a day.

After visiting Nyosi, we made our way back to Founders for our final evening. There was no formal dining room set up for us to eat. Instead, there was a fire, a long table, a braai and people. South Africans and visitors from around the world sat side by side, passing plates, swapping stories, talking about the Eastern Cape and trying, in our own ways, to articulate what we had experienced over the past few days. Conversations drifted from wildlife to community, from restoration to responsibility and from disbelief to gratitude.

Sitting there, under an open sky, it became clear that Founders isn’t special because it is luxurious, or remote, or beautiful, although it is all of those things. It is special because it represents what is possible when people care deeply enough to stay involved. When they choose the long road. When they decide that land, animals and communities are worth protecting together.

This isn’t just a lodge. It isn’t just a reserve. It’s a reminder. A reminder that hope doesn’t arrive by accident. It is built, defended, shared and sustained by people who refuse to accept loss as the only outcome. And if you ever find yourself in the Eastern Cape, whether for a day or a week, make the effort to visit places like Founders and Nyosi. Not just to see the wildlife but to witness what happens when humans choose to do better.

Standing there, surrounded by stories of recovery and connection, you realise something incredibly powerful.

This is where hope grows.

Sources: Trip to Founders Lodge and Nyosi Wildlife Reserve | Interviews with Adrian Gardiner and various guides 

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 Founders Lodge: Where Hope Grows in the Eastern Cape appeared first on Good Things Guy.

From penguins to protected coves, Boulders Beach has officially earned its place among the world’s most admired beaches, topping multiple categories in the Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best.

Global (22 February 2026) – It’s official. One of South Africa’s most iconic beaches has been recognised as one of the best in the world. Boulders Beach has claimed top positions across three categories in the Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best, driven by millions of traveller reviews from around the globe.

These awards represent the highest level of excellence in travel, celebrating destinations that consistently receive outstanding reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. The World’s best penguin beach has 8,637 reviews but according to the platform, fewer than one percent reach this level.

“Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone.” 

This year, the beaches category was split into two global groupings, ‘World’ and ‘One of a Kind’, and then further broken down by continent. Across those lists, Boulders emerged as a clear favourite, with Camps Bay also earning recognition, reinforcing the global appeal of Cape Town’s coastline.

Here’s what the Travelers’ Choice Awards had to say about Boulders:

“Boulders has all the beachy hallmarks: clean sand for lounging, chilly pools for swimming, and boardwalks made for strolling. And then there are the African penguins (yes, penguins) that call it home. Catch them on quiet mornings before crowds roll in, and don’t miss the gift shop for kitschy souvenirs.”

In the ‘One of a Kind’ Beaches category, Boulders claimed the number one spot in the world. It topped Pig Beach in the Bahamas, famous for its swimming pigs and social-media fame, Wai’anapanapa State Park in Hawaii, celebrated for its dramatic black sand and volcanic setting, and Isoa Bella in Italy, known for its classic Mediterranean beauty. Each of these beaches offers something memorable, but Boulders’ blend of protected wildlife, sheltered coves and unmistakable character sets it apart.

Boulders also secured the top position in the ‘Best African’ Beaches category. In doing so, it beat destinations that regularly feature on global bucket lists, including Anse Source D’Argent in Seychelles with its granite formations and turquoise waters, Diani Beach in Kenya with its palm-lined stretches, and even Cape Town’s own Camps Bay (at number 12), loved for its sunsets and city backdrop.

In the ‘World’s Best’ Beaches category, Boulders placed at number 10 globally, earning its spot among the very best beaches on Earth. It found itself alongside Isla Pasion in Mexico, which took the top position, Banana Beach at number 6, and Paleokastritsa Beach in Greece at number 14. To be listed among destinations of that calibre speaks volumes about how Boulders is experienced by travellers from every corner of the world.

What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it is shaped entirely by people. These awards are built on real visits, shared memories and genuine experiences, all pointing to the same conclusion: Boulders leaves a lasting impression.

*The Travelers’ Choice Awards is an American platform. The name is spelt the American way. 

Sources: Tripadvisor 

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

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

The post Boulders Beach Tops 3 Global Lists (And Camps Bay Featured Too) appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The SPCA does not give up when cases become uncomfortable, expensive or slow, and this week, that persistence paid off in a way that sends a powerful message across South Africa.

Western Cape, South Africa (18 February 2026) – This morning, I received a press release from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, and I cried. I am a dog person… and a cat person. I’m an animal person. To see pups so incredibly thin broke my heart. Questions about how anyone could let this happen, and why, made me shudder. But that is not why I am sharing this story. I am sharing it because, after more than three years of fighting, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA has won. And in a space where justice for animals so often feels slow, fragile, or out of reach, this win matters.

On the 11th of February 2026, in the Muizenberg Magistrates’ Court, Inspector Jeffrey Mfini secured the maximum sentence allowable under the Animals Protection Act. A 52-year-old man was convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to a R40,000 fine or 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended. That sentence carries a criminal record. Justice was served.

This case began on 3 October 2022, when Inspector Mfini received a complaint about two Boerboels in Seawinds that were described as looking like skeletons. He responded the very same day. What he found was devastating. Two adult dogs, Rocky and Milo, were emaciated. Their bones were visible. They were covered in fleas and ticks. One had developed pressure sores on her hips. There was no water, or food, or veterinary care. There was no meaningful attempt to ease their suffering.

The dogs were removed immediately and criminal charges were laid. What followed was not quick or easy. The accused pleaded not guilty and the matter dragged on for nearly three years and four months. But the SPCA did not walk away. They prepared, they returned to court, they presented evidence and when the facts were laid bare, the truth could not be denied.

Sadly, there is no fairytale ending for Rocky and Milo. Speaking to Belinda Abraham, Communications Manager at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, it was confirmed that the two dogs did not survive.

“Both dogs were put to sleep under veterinary instruction. They were sadly beyond help. It’d never easy, everyone wants a happy ending but it’s not always possible.”

That loss is heartbreaking. But it also makes this conviction even more important, because it ensures that their suffering was not ignored or forgotten.

As news of the court outcome spread, South Africans took to social media to respond and the message was loud and clear.

“This is a definite win, however, South Africa needs harsher and heftier punishment for animal abusers.”

“Well done SPCA…..Congratulations on pursuing this case tirelessly, for your hard work and compassion!!!”

“Well done, Inspector Mfini and team, Cape of Good Hope SPCA! Thank you for fighting hard to see justice served.”

“Thank you for never giving up on this case and all the others you take to the courts. Now for the legal system to step up and do the right thing by sentencing to the max – every time!”

There were also important questions raised. Would the accused actually go to prison? And what does a suspended sentence really mean? Belinda explained it clearly.

“The sentence was wholly suspended, which some may think is nothing more than a slap on the wrist, but this is huge! The offender has been formally convicted and sentenced to prison. The incarceration is conditionally postponed and applicable the minute he reoffends within the 5-year period. If the threat of a prison term isn’t a deterrent, it is difficult to imagine what would be.”

She added important context too.

“We have seen actual prison time before but only months at a time and always connected to other crimes like contraventions of immigration laws etc…”

This matters because animal cruelty is not a small issue. It is violence. And when courts impose the maximum penalties allowed by law, they send a clear message that this behaviour has consequences. The law exists. The penalties exist. And when they are used properly, they create real accountability. This case also shines a light on the relentless work of the SPCA. More than three years of legal process means more than three years of costs, preparation and emotional toll. And still, they stayed the course. They fought until the very end.

This story is not about celebrating punishment; it’s about progress. It is about a system that worked as it should. It is about two dogs whose suffering was acknowledged by a court of law. And it is about an organisation and an inspector who proved that persistence can change outcomes.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA did not stop. They did not look away. And because of that, a line has been drawn.

For animals who cannot speak, this win speaks loudly.

Sources: Cape of Good Hope SPCA | Interview with Belinda Abraham 

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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 3 Years Later, Justice Arrived for 2 Forgotten Dogs appeared first on Good Things Guy.

When a local idea meets real need, it does not take long for people to rally behind it. That is exactly what happened when SKUBU, a refill store built for low-income consumers, landed on millions of screens across the country.

Johannesburg, South Africa (15 February 2026) – Something special is happening in Diepsloot, and it has everything to do with dignity, affordability and smart thinking that puts people first. A short video, filmed on a phone and shared with genuine excitement, has turned a local idea into a national conversation and it is exactly the kind of good news South Africa needs right now.

Keith Dodgen, known online as “Yung Earn”, recently posted a video of himself visiting SKUBU, the world’s first fully automated refill store. In just two days, that video racked up 1.6 million views, prompting South Africans to flock to the comments section to celebrate a concept that feels both innovative and deeply practical.

@yungearn Only R100? Let’s see what I can get at SKUBU SKUBU is the world’s first fully automated refill store and it offer high demand staple foods at unmatched prices Try it for yourself #food #groceryshopping #haul #skubu #tiktoksouthafrica ♬ original sound – YungEarn

Launched by Ebenzer de Jongh just nine months ago, SKUBU was designed specifically for low-income consumers. That intention shows in every detail. The store offers everyday staples at prices that feel almost unbelievable when compared to traditional retail. One kilogram of maize meal sells for R9, compared to around R20 elsewhere, which is a 55% saving on one of the most-consumed food items in the country. By removing packaging costs and allowing customers to buy exactly what they need, SKUBU makes access to essentials more affordable while reducing waste. Prices are fixed per litre or kilogram, whether you are buying a little or a lot, which gives shoppers control over their budgets without compromising dignity.

Thanks to Keith’s video, SKUBU is now firmly on the map, with South Africans praising the idea and dreaming big about what it could become.

“I love Skubu they must open stores nationwide”

“In today’s economy, shout out to Skubu for selling essentials to the community at such low prices. Not only is this economically efficient, but it also helps avoid waste, as you only shop for the amount you need. Also, jobs are being created at that. Talk about inclusivity!!!”

“They could make university students’ lives easy if they had shops near the university coz food is expensive.”

“This is ticking so many right boxes: affordability, access, and environmental protection! Well done to the minds behind it”

The concept is brilliant but his idea is not new. Three years ago, Miles Khubeka, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author, launched Gcwalisa, a containerised retail outlet built around a refill-and-weigh-and-pay model. Long before algorithms picked it up, Gcwalisa was already serving communities by allowing customers to buy basic nutritional food items and household products using the money they had on hand. From Weet-Bix to soup, eggs, and maize meal, the model respects real budgets and real lives.

Both SKUBU and Gcwalisa are doing something powerful for the Kasi economy. They are meeting people where they are, respecting tight budgets and changing the relationship many South Africans have with essential goods. The key difference is that SKUBU is fully automated, using technology to scale the refill model in a new way. Gcwalisa, on the other hand, focuses on human-led, community-rooted solutions that are just as impactful.

Together, they show what is possible when innovation is driven by empathy.

SKUBU founder, Ebenzer, has been open about how overwhelming the response has been. After Keith’s video went viral, he took to social media to say that he had received hundreds of calls and thousands of emails. The interest became so intense that he had to remove his phone number from the website. It’s a “problem” most founders dream of and a clear sign that South Africans are hungry for solutions like this.

Right now, SKUBU operates two stores in Diepsloot (at the Chuma and Bambanani Malls). But the vision is much bigger. The team plans to scale to more than 30 stores across Southern Africa within the next two years, bringing affordable access to essentials to many more communities.

This is a South African win in every sense. Local challenges met with local solutions, backed by people who understand what really matters. When ideas like these grow, they remind us that the future is being built right here, by those who care deeply about access, fairness and dignity.

Sources: Yung Earn TikTok | SKUBU (via the VUKA group website) | Gcwalisa | Ebenzer de Jongh TikTok 

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 SKUBU is Changing How South Africans Buy Everyday Essentials appeared first on Good Things Guy.