South African Kindness Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/south-african-kindness/ Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:28:54 +0000 en-ZA hourly 1 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-gtg_favicon-32x32.png South African Kindness Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/south-african-kindness/ 32 32 An ECD Centre Born From Love: The Remarkable Story Behind Rising Stars! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/an-ecd-centre-born-from-love-the-remarkable-story-behind-rising-stars/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/an-ecd-centre-born-from-love-the-remarkable-story-behind-rising-stars/#respond Wed, 03 Dec 2025 04:52:21 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=170496

It started with one child, one struggle and one mother who refused to give up. Today, Rising Stars stands as a safe haven for dozens of children whose futures are...

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It started with one child, one struggle and one mother who refused to give up. Today, Rising Stars stands as a safe haven for dozens of children whose futures are brighter because one woman decided to make a plan.

 

Lawley, South Africa (04 December 2025) – There are moments in this work where the “good things” feel almost too big for the camera to capture. This week’s conversation with Rising Stars founder, Linna Ndlovu, was one of those moments… a story rooted in motherhood, community, and a young man whose journey reminded South Africa what kindness can do.

On this week’s episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque, I got to chat with Linna Ndlovu, the founder of Rising Stars ECD Centre, and within moments, it became clear why this work is more than a job to her. Her passion fills every corner of the room. Her kindness is lived. And her heart is enormous.

She started the centre because mothers in her community desperately needed a safe place for their children. They wanted to finish school. They needed to return to work. They needed someone they trusted.

Linna became that someone.

But the roots of Rising Stars stretch far deeper… all the way back to her son.

Many Good Things Guy readers will remember Bryan Ndlovu, a young man living with Chronic Lung Disease whose story touched the nation during Stage 6 load shedding in 2023.

It began when I shared a post asking South Africans to be softer with one another, to hold onto kindness even when the world felt unkind. Load shedding had pushed parts of the country into darkness for 11.5 hours at a time, leaving people anxious, exhausted and trying to make impossible plans.

A comment appeared under the post.

It was from Bryan.

He shared that he had to book himself into hospital, not because he was sick, but because he needed power. His oxygen cylinders couldn’t last through the outage.

“Imagine I’ve to book myself into a hospital bed, just because I don’t have enough oxygen cylinder to last me that long, while I wait for loadshedding to end.”

This was a young man who had battled Chronic Lung Disease since 13, survived a life-changing kidney infection at 21, and by 23 relied on oxygen around the clock. Yet here he was, inspiring strength and reminding us all why kindness matters.

With his permission, I shared his story online… and South Africa responded. Hundreds of messages poured in. Strangers sent hope, encouragement and love. And then came someone who asked to remain anonymous.

A complete stranger.

A woman who read his story and decided that kindness should not stop at words.

She bought him an inverter.

“We can’t be praying for miracles in our own lives if we refuse to be the miracle in someone else’s when the opportunity presents itself.”

The inverter changed everything. It meant fewer hospital trips. More mobility. More freedom. And for the first time in a long time… it meant he could breathe without fear.

When he received it, he cried.

“I have never felt so much love from a stranger. Thank you so much.”

That day, South Africans lifted one young man out of darkness… literally and figuratively. And it is impossible to understand Rising Stars ECD Centre without understanding him.

Because Bryan is Linna’s son.

And every child she cares for is held with the same love she used to keep him alive.

Rising Stars ECD Centre (NPO 146-641) in Lawley Ext 2 has been supporting its community since 2010. It officially registered in 2014, but its true start was humble: mothers knocking on Linna’s door, asking her to help look after their babies so they could rebuild their own lives.

At the time, Linna was unemployed, caring for Bryan full-time, making plans between oxygen machines, doctor’s visits, and uncertainty. Yet she somehow found space to help others and soon, her living room became the safest place in the neighbourhood.

Five children became ten.

Ten became twenty.

Twenty became over fifty.

Inspectors eventually required proper infrastructure, so she fundraised, persuaded, begged and built… brick by brick, hope by hope.

Today, the centre urgently needed repairs before the rainy season begins but the love inside those walls hasn’t wavered for a moment.

The community nominated Rising Stars for this podcast episode. Neighbours, parents, teachers… people who’ve watched Linna show up day after day, no matter how hard life became. They wanted her story told. They wanted her celebrated. They wanted someone to acknowledge the difference she’s made.

And so we did.

This conversation forms part of the Budget Insurance x Good Things Guy partnership, created to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes you’ve nominated, the helpers who quietly keep South Africa going. Budget Insurance believes in backing those helpers. They offer simple, affordable cover that protects what matters, and they partnered with us because they understand something important:

With Budget, good things come to good South Africans.

🎧 Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
📅 New Budget Insurance episodes drop monthly.
🌍 Powered by Budget Insurance. Filmed at Rising Stars ECD Centre.
💙 Stories that matter. Conversations that count.


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

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

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“She Saved My Baby”: Tributes Pour in for Kindhearted Nurse from Far East Rand Hospital https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/she-saved-my-baby-tributes-pour-in-for-kindhearted-nurse-from-far-east-rand-hospital/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/she-saved-my-baby-tributes-pour-in-for-kindhearted-nurse-from-far-east-rand-hospital/#respond Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:09:30 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=165056

Her patients call her an angel, a hero and even a second mother. Sister Dolly Mofokeng’s name is spreading across South Africa for the purest reason of all… love.  ...

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Her patients call her an angel, a hero and even a second mother. Sister Dolly Mofokeng’s name is spreading across South Africa for the purest reason of all… love.

 

Ekurhuleni, South Africa (14 October 2025) – Sometimes, one person’s kindness can ripple through countless lives… and that’s exactly what’s happening right now with a nurse from the Far East Rand Hospital Antenatal Clinic. Her name is Sister Dolly Mofokeng and she’s going viral for all the right reasons.

A Facebook post about Sister Dolly has been flooded with love, gratitude and tears of appreciation from people whose lives she’s touched. She’s not a celebrity, not a public figure… just a woman doing her job with extraordinary heart. But to the hundreds of mothers she’s helped, she’s so much more than that.

“I’d rather lose my job than live with the guilt of your child dying.”

One of the most shared stories came from Lebohang Mahlangu, who remembers Sister Dolly’s bravery and compassion vividly.

“There was confusion about my due date. The doctor said I was far from giving birth, but when Sister Dolly checked, she realised I should’ve already given birth. She told me, ‘I’m admitting you because I’d rather lose my job than live with the guilt of your child dying.’”

Lebohang gave birth to a healthy baby girl and says she’ll never forget the woman who refused to ignore her instincts.

“She has a heart of gold,” she wrote. “She served us with love.”

Arabile Mokwena described Sister Dolly as “the best… actually incredible.” When her baby stopped moving, Dolly didn’t hesitate. She personally took Arabile to the doctor, monitored her, and made sure she was booked for a C-section.

“She even showed kindness to my husband,” Arabile added. “I have no words to thank her. She is wonderful. May God continue to bless her.”

“Her kindness is out of this world.”

For Kaymie Zwayne, Sister Dolly’s care went beyond medicine.

“She’s the reason I made it with my baby. Her kindness is out of this world. She’s calm, fun and kind-hearted and those songs she made us sing during pregnancy are still working! My six-month-old loves them.”

“She made antenatal visits feel like home.”

Confy Mokubung summed up what so many mothers have said:

“When we talk about someone who loves what they do, we talk about Sister Dolly. She made antenatal visits feel like home with her kindness, humour and friendly conversations.”

“Even those who’ve never met her feel inspired.”

Perhaps the most powerful proof of Sister Dolly’s impact comes from people like Kabelo Lebereko, who commented simply…

“I don’t know her, never met her, but I’m inspired to hear that there are such amazing people out there.”

This wave of love shows what happens when compassion meets courage, when someone truly cares. Sister Dolly’s story reminds us that everyday heroes don’t wear capes; they wear scrubs, offer comfort and make life-changing decisions out of love.

In a country that often feels heavy with headlines, stories like these remind us that goodness is still alive, often found in the quiet halls of hospitals, where people like Sister Dolly Mofokeng are making miracles happen every single day.

Thank you, Sister Dolly, for giving us all the feels today.

Sister Dolly Mofokeng
Photo Credit: Far East Rand Hospita | Facebook l

Source: Facebook 
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

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

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South Africans Fully Fund Pit Bull Sanctuary for the First Time in 7½ Years https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/south-africans-fully-fund-pit-bull-sanctuary-for-the-first-time-in-7%c2%bd-years/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/south-africans-fully-fund-pit-bull-sanctuary-for-the-first-time-in-7%c2%bd-years/#respond Sun, 10 Aug 2025 07:56:16 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=158350

In just seven days, South Africans turned one woman’s desperate plea into a month of safety, comfort, and full bellies for 37 Pit Bulls… and one tiny Yorkie.   South...

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In just seven days, South Africans turned one woman’s desperate plea into a month of safety, comfort, and full bellies for 37 Pit Bulls… and one tiny Yorkie.

 

South Africa (10 August 2025) – It’s not every day that a rescue organisation can say they’ve made it through the month without a single financial worry but that’s exactly the good news coming out of The Pit Bull Sanctuary South Africa.

For the first time in 7 and a half years, every single dog in their care has their needs covered for a whole month… and it’s all thanks to the kindness of South Africans who stepped up (in a massive way).

The Pit Bull Sanctuary South Africa is a safe haven for dogs that have been abused, abandoned, or surrendered, giving them love, rehabilitation and a shot at a better life. Currently home to 37 Pit Bulls (down from 39 after two happy adoptions this month) and one very tiny but very loved Yorkie, the sanctuary is run by animal rescuer and photographer, Chantelle Van Zyl, who calls herself “the mother of the dogs”.

South Africans Fully Fund Pit Bull Sanctuary for the First Time in 7½ Years
Photo Credit: The Pit Bull Sanctuary South Africa

On the 1st of August, Chantelle put out a post explaining they still needed over R32,000 just to make it to the end of the month. What happened next left her speechless. And in tears. Within just seven days, South Africans donated R47,500… enough to take care of all the Pit Bulls (and Mackie the Yorkie) for the entire month.

“For the first time in 7 and a half years, I don’t have to stress myself to a point of feeling like I am in fight or flight mode. For the first time in all my years in rescue, I don’t have to try figure out what to sell, what extra something I can do to earn more to cover shortfalls. The relief is to such an extent, that I actually feel weak. It’s been 7 and a half years of absolute sickening stress and anxiety. And suddenly, today, the relief comes and actually lets me sit down with a stomach that turns, for some odd reason, and a weakness in my entire body.”

“Thank you. Thank you a million times. Bless every effort. Every donation, every share, every reaction, every comment. A massive team effort finally paid off.” 

Speaking to Good Things Guy, Chantelle shared that the sanctuary is just part of the picture. Her property is also home to her 9 personal pups (rescues she couldn’t part with), 3 horses, 4 chickens saved from being carried upside down along a road and a dozen guinea pigs. That’s nearly 60 animals she feeds, cares for and loves every single day.

“It’s crazy, but I’m actually allergic. I just can’t stop caring. I can’t look away,” she laughed.

“I had a very hard childhood. I grew up in a place of abuse and addiction. I chose to change my future to what I was conditioned to become. I turned it around and now pour all my love into looking after these animals.”

And the Yorkie?

“I saw him running the streets, picked him up, and tried to find his home but it just didn’t work out. We fell in love with ‘Mackie’ and now he’s in a pack with the biggest dogs around him.”

While August’s costs are covered, Chantelle is realistic about the road ahead.

“I don’t earn anything for what I do. I’m a photographer by trade and I’m trying to do everything to help these animals… even selling plants now. But one person can only do so much. I’m a mom (to 2 human kids) and almost 60 animals. I’m so grateful that we’ve made enough to get through August but September is coming. And then the next month. And the month after that. I need help – not big help – just small donations from people who can. Lots of small donations make up big amounts that will help these dogs.”

For now, though, Chantelle is soaking up a rare moment of peace, gratitude and hope. This is proof that when South Africans come together, we can make magic happen, even just for a pack of 37 Pit Bulls and one little Yorkie named Mackie.

South Africans Fully Fund Pit Bull Sanctuary for the First Time in 7½ Years
Photo Credit: The Pit Bull Sanctuary South Africa

Sources: Interview with Chantelle Van Zyl, owner of The Pit Bull Sanctuary South Africa since 2022 
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 & 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 & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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Thando Thabethe And 947 Listeners Bring the Heat this Mandela Day https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/thando-thabethe-and-947-listeners-bring-the-heat-this-mandela-day/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/thando-thabethe-and-947-listeners-bring-the-heat-this-mandela-day/#respond Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:24:08 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=156614

South Africans across the country showed up with purpose this Mandela Day, and 947 Drive with Thando turned that purpose into over 5,000 blankets for those in need.   Johannesburg,...

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South Africans across the country showed up with purpose this Mandela Day, and 947 Drive with Thando turned that purpose into over 5,000 blankets for those in need.

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (21 June 2025) – Mandela Day always brings out the best in South Africans, a day when kindness gets louder, hearts open wider and people roll up their sleeves to serve. This year was no different. In fact, it felt even bigger. From schools to corporates, from individuals to entire communities, thousands of South Africans stepped up, proving once again how powerful collective compassion can be.

While we’ve featured many incredible stories from this year’s Mandela Day, there’s one that feels a little closer to home. One that makes us beam with pride.

947 Drive with Thando, the weekday radio show that mixes energy, humour and all the good vibes, turned their microphones into megaphones for good. For the second year in a row, they hosted their “Fill The Studio” winter donation drive… and this year, the studio quite literally overflowed.

In the lead-up to Mandela Day, the team broadcast live from their Montecasino studios, encouraging listeners to help bring warmth to those who need it most. Their call to action was to fill the space with blankets, jackets, anything warm… and fill it they did! Thanks to their listeners, partners, and the incredible community spirit that defines Joburg (and beyond), they collected over 5,000 blankets. And yes, they filled the studio but they also filled the hearts of thousands of people facing the bitter winter chill.

All donations were handed over to The Angel Network, a deeply respected non-profit organisation that ensures every blanket, every jacket and every bit of kindness goes to a home where it’s truly needed.

“This is our second year running ‘Fill The Studio’ for Mandela Day, and once again, we were blown away by the love and generosity of our listeners,” said Thando Thabethe, host of 947 Drive with Thando. “It’s a true reflection of Madiba’s spirit – giving with purpose and heart.”

We love Thando Thabethe and the entire 947 Drive team… and it’s not just because you can catch me sharing some feel-good news every Monday after 4:30pm on the show (although I do love having a feature).

It’s because the entire team are filled with so much love and kindness.

This Mandela Day, South Africa once again reminded the world of its warmth. Not just through blankets, but through unity, love and a shared belief that we are all responsible for each other.

Thank you South Africa.

For more Mandela Day stories, check out www.goodthingsguy.com.

Thando Thabethe And 947 Listeners Bring the Heat this Mandela Day
Photo Creedit: 947 | Primedia

Sources: 947 Drive with Thando 
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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & 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 & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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South Africa’s Favourite Pavement Garden is Back in the Spotlight https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/south-africas-favourite-pavement-garden-is-back-in-the-spotlight/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/south-africas-favourite-pavement-garden-is-back-in-the-spotlight/#comments Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:01:49 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=156613

In 2017, Johan Scott turned a petty theft into something powerful. A single stolen vegetable led to a garden that would feed a community… and now, in 2025, his story...

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In 2017, Johan Scott turned a petty theft into something powerful. A single stolen vegetable led to a garden that would feed a community… and now, in 2025, his story is making waves once more.

 

Heidelberg, South Africa (21 June 2025) – Sometimes, the internet gives an old story new life. That’s exactly what’s happening right now.

A 2017 story about Johan Scott, a retired policeman from Heidelberg, South Africa, is suddenly going viral again. It’s doing the rounds on Facebook, being shared by pages and people who may not know the full background… but it’s hitting home regardless.

And it’s no surprise why.

It all started with a single stolen cauliflower.

Most people would’ve been annoyed. Maybe even angry. But Johan saw it differently. The missing vegetable made him pause. It made him realise that someone nearby must have been hungry… hungry enough to help themselves.

So instead of putting up a fence or a camera, Johan planted more.

More vegetables. More hope. More kindness.

“It makes my heart happy when I see people eating my vegetables,” he told us in 2017. “That is why I planted this… because the people are hungry, they need this.”

Johan turned the pavement outside his home into a thriving little garden filled with beans, tomatoes, eggplants and beetroot. And told his community they were welcome to help themselves. No charge. No catch. Just food and dignity, freely given.

It was one of the very first stories we shared about growing food for the community… and it’s stuck with us (and South Africa) ever since. Unfortunately, we don’t have a new update on Johan or how his garden is doing in 2025. But what we can tell you is this: his story planted something far bigger than he may have imagined.

Since that viral moment in 2017, we’ve written dozens of stories about ordinary South Africans doing extraordinary things… all by planting vegetables on pavements, in parks, outside schools, or even in wheelbarrows. We’ve seen community champions grow free food gardens in townships, business owners create veggie stands for anyone in need and kids start planting for their neighbours. And in every single one of those stories, the idea is the same: people are hungry… and we can help.

Cabbage Bandit Support
Photo Credit: Djo BaNkuna – Facebook

There’s something deeply powerful about these simple gestures, and it’s not because they solve hunger overnight but because they remind us that compassion doesn’t need permission. You don’t need a big budget or a fancy plan. Sometimes all it takes is some seeds, a bit of soil and the will to share.

Desmond Tutu said it best, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

So if you’re seeing Johan’s story again and wondering if kindness still exists, yes, it does. It’s growing all around us. One veggie patch at a time.

PS… this story may be the seed you needed to start your own “good things garden”!


Sources: Good Things Guy 
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 & 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 & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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R2.7 Million Raised in One Morning to Help Child Burn Survivors Heal https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/r2-7-million-raised-in-one-morning-to-help-child-burn-survivors-heal/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/r2-7-million-raised-in-one-morning-to-help-child-burn-survivors-heal/#respond Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:50:43 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=153930

Jacaranda FM listeners opened their hearts and wallets this Youth Day to help child burn survivors heal, proving once again that kindness is contagious… and incredibly powerful.   Johannesburg, South...

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Jacaranda FM listeners opened their hearts and wallets this Youth Day to help child burn survivors heal, proving once again that kindness is contagious… and incredibly powerful.

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (17 June 2025) – If you needed proof that kindness still exists in massive, goosebump-inducing waves… this is it. Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels planned to raise a few rands for a good cause but instead rallied an entire country and raised an extraordinary R2.7 million to help child burn survivors get the treatment they so urgently need.

Timed with Youth Day and hosted during the station’s Breakfast with Martin Bester show, the initiative began with a powerful goal: replace a critical laser machine at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. This specialised piece of equipment, used to treat burn scars in children, had broken beyond repair. And the cost of a new one stood at R1.4 million.

But South Africans didn’t hesitate.

By 8 a.m., the first target had already been reached. Listeners from all walks of life jumped in, proving once again that generosity is alive and well. And when the supplier offered a second machine at a discounted R1.3 million, the team didn’t stop… they set a new goal.

By the end of the show, R2.52 million had been raised. By the following morning, that number had grown to R2.7 million.

Thanks to this incredible response, the Avela Foundation, which has spent the last decade supporting the healing of young burn survivors across South Africa, will now be able to treat up to 40 children each month.

That’s 40 lives changed, not just medically but emotionally too.

Martin Bester captured the moment best, “This wasn’t just about buying a machine; it was about giving children their futures back… That’s what radio can do. It connects people and inspires miracles.”

Support also came from corporate partners who understood the heart behind the campaign. LottoStar’s contribution of R697,000 gave the campaign an early surge, helping the team pass their initial target in record time. The Machi Filotimo Cancer Project also joined in, providing not only funding but a special toy drop for the children at the hospital, a gesture that brought lightness and joy amidst the serious healing process.

As winter deepens and burn-related accidents become more frequent, this campaign reminds us that impact is never too far out of reach. It’s built on community. It’s built on compassion. It’s built on the unshakable spirit of South Africans who choose to show up, again and again.

A better future starts with action like this .

And it’s already making all the difference.


Sources: Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels Press Release 
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 & 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 & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Little Hero, Big Mission: Sipho Is Saving Hermanus’ Animals One by One https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/little-hero-big-mission-sipho-is-saving-hermanus-animals-one-by-one/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/little-hero-big-mission-sipho-is-saving-hermanus-animals-one-by-one/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2016 05:48:47 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=10729

You don’t need to be big to be a hero. Just ask Sipho… a little guy with a giant heart and a mission to save every sick dog in his...

The post Little Hero, Big Mission: Sipho Is Saving Hermanus’ Animals One by One appeared first on Good Things Guy.

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You don’t need to be big to be a hero. Just ask Sipho… a little guy with a giant heart and a mission to save every sick dog in his neighbourhood.

 

Western Cape, South Africa (01 October 2016) – In a coastal town known for whales, charm, and good-hearted locals, a new kind of hero has quietly risen… one without a cape but with an enormous heart and a deep love for animals.

Meet Sipho. A little guy with a big mission.

Roughly eight months ago, this determined youngster marched straight into the Hermanus Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) and announced, without hesitation:

“N’difuna i-band!” (I want a leash!)

Followed by: “N’difuna i-dogmor!” (I want dog food!)

The staff were caught off guard, not by his boldness, but by his purpose. They handed over a leash and some dog food and Sipho went on his way.

But then… he came back. Again. And again. And again.

Each week, he’d return with his dogs in tow… dogs with names like “Government”, “Policeman” and “Social Worker” (yes, really – Sipho has a sense of humour and perspective well beyond his years).

But what initially seemed like weekly visits turned into something far greater. The team at HAWS soon discovered that Sipho wasn’t just popping in to stock up on supplies. He was on a one-guy mission to care for every sick or injured dog in his community. One by one, he brought them in. Puppies, adult dogs, strays. Some needed deworming, some needed medical attention, others just needed some love. Sipho convinced their owners to come along too, to get their pets checked out, leashed, collared and cared for.

And all the while, Sipho believed it was just something people did… that this kind of care was freely given, because animals deserved it.

HAWS, deeply moved by Sipho’s dedication, never turned him away. They supported his efforts, treated the animals, and even gave him little jobs like tidying the forecourt, which he did with pride, thinking he was earning his way through his dog-saving duties.

But after eight months of supporting Sipho’s incredible mission out of their own limited budget, HAWS has had to face a hard reality: they simply can’t afford to carry the costs on their own anymore.

“This poor fellow is devastated that he can’t have free ‘muti’ anymore,” the HAWS team shared.

“We just don’t have the funds to continue supporting Sipho’s mission alone – even though we believe in it completely.”

So now, it’s time for all of us to do our bit.

HAWS has launched “Sipho’s Fund” – a dedicated initiative to help support this pint-sized superhero and the animals he’s trying to save. If you’d like to be part of Sipho’s mission (and honestly, how could you not?), you can help by donating directly to the Hermanus Animal Welfare Society:

Account Name: Hermanus Animal Welfare Society
Bank: Standard Bank
Cheque Account Number: 082263310
Branch Code: 051001
Reference: Siphos Fund

Alternatively, you can reach out to Lenke on 028 312 1281 or email adoptions@hermanusanimalwelfare.co.za to find out how else you can get involved.

Because sometimes the biggest hearts come in the smallest packages… and with a little help, Sipho might just save an entire community of animals.

Little Hero, Big Mission: Sipho Is Saving Hermanus’ Animals One by One
Photo Credit: Hermanus Animal Welfare Society Facebook

Sources: Hermanus Animal Welfare Society 
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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & 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 & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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