For the founders of Still Good, making a difference didn’t mean reinventing the wheel; it meant rethinking what we throw away.

Johannesburg, South Africa (29 October 2025) – It started with a simple thought… what if “still good” food could still make a difference? Today, that thought has grown into a national movement helping South Africans save millions, cut food waste and feed hungry families.

It’s clever, it’s kind and it’s making a real impact.

Launched in May, Still Good connects shoppers with nutritious groceries nearing their sell-by date, offering discounts of up to 65%. In just six months, the platform has helped South Africans save close to R4-million on grocery bills, while reducing the amount of perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste.

“We are helping South Africans beat food price inflation over the past six years – a remarkable achievement when you consider that 63.5% of households in South Africa experience food insecurity,” says Steffen Burrows, CEO and one of the four co-founders.

With food prices soaring and millions of families struggling to afford essentials, the initiative couldn’t have come at a better time. According to the Human Sciences Research Council, 2.7 million children under six live in households unable to meet basic nutritional needs. Beyond hunger, more than 1,000 children die each year from preventable malnutrition. Still Good is changing that narrative… one bag at a time. Their innovative “Value Bags” are surprise bundles of groceries. Aything from fresh produce and bakery items to pantry staples. All still perfectly safe to eat but approaching their sell-by date. Meat and deli products are excluded for safety reasons but the idea has taken off.

“We sell 95% of the available bags offered for sale on our web platform. Some stores sell 50 bags in two minutes, we can’t keep up with demand,” says Burrows.

The movement now includes over 100 retailers across South Africa, from Pick n Pay and Spar to Food Lovers Market franchises and independent stores,  in provinces such as Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State and North West.

For many, it’s not just about saving money but being part of something meaningful. Johannesburg resident Chanté-Leigh Hendricks has been buying Still Good bags since July.

“My family loves the element of surprise, opening a bag in anticipation, not knowing what will be inside. I’ve also tapped into my creative side learning to cook what we receive. I resonate with what the brand stands for, eating well while saving money and reducing waste,” she says.

Customers can see both the normal retail and discounted prices before purchasing, pay securely through Yoco and collect their bags in-store at the end of the day. Many have turned into loyal regulars, checking their regional WhatsApp channels for instant notifications when new Value Bags drop.

One shopper from Kenilworth in Cape Town has already saved over R40,000 in six months.

While the idea of buying surplus groceries has gained traction globally, Still Good has uniquely adapted it for South Africa by focusing directly on the retail sector, where the majority of food waste occurs.

“Previously, much of this stock was wasted, taking up valuable municipal landfill airspace that is close to capacity,” explains Burrows.

And because this is a social enterprise with heart, Still Good donates 10% of its earnings to feeding schemes through SA Harvest and other food banks, ensuring that every purchase goes even further to support those in need.

What started as a simple, sustainable idea has quickly become a movement of mindful shoppers, conscious retailers and South Africans coming together for something that matters: helping families eat better, spend less and waste nothing.

Source: Interview with Steffen Burrows, CEO and one of the four co-founders of “Still Good” 

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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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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.

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 

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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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Travelling always opens your eyes… and sometimes it makes you want to smuggle fruit trees home. Let me explain.

France (16 July 2025) – I was recently invited to France to do something pretty magical… to review a stunning château nestled in the French countryside.

It’s owned by a South African who just so happens to have the same surname as me. Call it coincidence, fate or maybe just a French twist of lekker luck? That story is coming soon and I cannot wait to share it with you. But before I dive into tales of turrets and truffle cheese, I wanted to share something a little lighter. A little more fun.

While exploring parts of France and Monaco, I kept finding myself going: “Wait… why don’t we have this in South Africa?” Not big revolutionary things, but small, joyful innovations that just make sense (to me).

So here they are… ten things I’d bring home (to Joburg) in my luggage if customs didn’t mind, in no particular order:

1. Weekly (Moving) Markets

In the French countryside (and maybe even Paris, although I didn’t get to see them), they have markets that move. Each village is assigned a day and the market brings the whole place to life. The community live for it. And plan for it. Boussac have their market every Thursday. And it was a vibe. The entire village was there. Shopping. Chatting. Catching up. There was fresh produce. And clothing. And toys for dogs. And everything in between. It only lasts until midday. And then most stay at the local cafés for lunch and drinks. That’s what I call a Phuza Thursday done right. Ja, Joburg… let’s do it.

Side note: I know we have many incredible markets in South Africa, which I love and support, but this specific idea of a weekday market that moves is what I’m referring to.

2. Bicycle Lanes

I know that one of the 11 mayors we’ve had in the last 10 years tried to do a Sandton bicycle lane but we need to try again… and it needs to extend far beyond Sandton. Bicycle lanes are the shit. They make it so easy to navigate a city. And also get your exercise in. And it’s safer for the cyclists. I am all about biking. Welcome to my midlife crisis. Like, I would totally hop onto a bike and go meet friends for lunch. Or even go for a quick shop. And… if we had bike lanes, it would make life so much easier. I am sending this to the Fourways Ward Councillor. Bike lanes asseblief.

3. Lime Bikes (and electric scooters).

This goes with the bike lane but what a lekker way to get around a city. And I know our cities are “different” to European cities. But imagine on a Saturday (and I am referring to Jozi here cause that’s where I live… and also this area in particular cause it’s something I actually would do) and I met you for breakkie in Parkhurst, and then we Limed to The Wilds to walk off our meal, and then Limed to Rosebank for some window shopping, and then met up with more friends in Sandton. That sounds far but that is 6 kilometres less than what Andrew and I did in one morning in Paris. Perspective. And Limes please.

4. Fruit trees

In Monaco, some streets are lined with Orange Trees. Apparently over 1,100 of them. Trees not streets. You can take from them. Freely. And because there are so many, they never really run out (in season). Johannesburg is great for growing many things. We also have people who are hungry. So… let’s plant trees everywhere. Orange trees. And apple trees. And Pears. And Peaches. And Plums. Feed the nation. Like, how have we not done this already? Who is the current Mayor? Fruit trees my guy. FRUIT TREES!

5. Afternoon naps

Some places (in the French countryside) close from 2:30pm to 6:30pm to “la sieste”. I don’t need to explain anymore. We need more naps.

6. More doggy-friendly places

Dogs are an extension of our family. Why shouldn’t they go absolutely everywhere with us? And yes, maybe it’s because many Europeans don’t have the luxury of a garden. But we are our pups’ whole world. And that means we have a responsibility to show them our world. To take them on adventures. And that means to dinners. And to museums. And even to clubs. Yes, I saw a bladdy dog at a club. It was outside (so she wasn’t impacted by the doef doef) but she was there. And she was living her best life. I want this life for my pups.

7. Trains that work

We travelled from Paris to Châteauroux. A 2-hour trip. And took another train from Paris to Nice. A 5-hour trip. And it was divine. The chairs were comfortable. The food and drinks were delicious. And the sites (outside the window) were something else. Imagine we had a reliable Jozi to Cape Town bullet train (we cannot refer to the Shosholoza Meyl here unfortunately) that had stops in Bloem, Gariep and the winelands… where we could sip on coffee (or your choice of tipple), nap, charge our phones and still arrive faster than flying (if you take boarding and having to be at the airport an hour before into account). And it is so much cheaper than flying. Oh, and dogs are allowed to travel too. Take. My. Money. Now.

8. Bottle caps that stick to the bottle

This is a standard in Europe. Plastic caps don’t leave the bottle. It’s attached by a little piece of plastic. And that means less pollution. Like, it won’t get lost and land up in the sea. Killing our turtles. I’m being facetious. Bottle caps are terrible for our environment. Caps are among the top items found in ocean clean-ups. Birds, fish and marine mammals often mistake them for food. And then they die. Keeping a cap attached to a bottle saves them. And improves the recycling process tenfold. We need this.

9. Bigger Tic Tacs

Did you know that Tic Tac have a whole range? Like… more than just the little pill sweet. The “two” Tic Tac is delicious. I’m sure these are somewhere in South Africa already. Hit a brother up.

10. Summer, where the sun stays up to almost 11pm.

I know this is not possible. But just imagine we could. I mean, we’re incredibly lucky in South Africa (especially Joburg) to get the amount of sun that we do. Our days are pretty consistent with a couple of hours difference in Summer and Winter. But having a day that only ends at 11pm is so good for the soul. One day, we only left the beach at 9pm… and then went for a shower… and then had dinner at sunset. Like, vaaaibes.

So, yes. Some of these are silly. Some are just wishful thinking. But a few… like fruit trees and sustainable packaging, could really shift things for the better.

The château story is coming soon. But for now, I just needed to share this little piece of travel joy with you.

That’s it.

Okay. Love you. Bye.

Sources: Brent Lindeque 

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.

The post The Soft Side of Travel: 10 Happy, Helpful European Ideas I’d Love to See at Home appeared first on Good Things Guy.