You might think you know Hillbrow… but after listening to Tebza’s story on this week’s podcast, you’ll realise there’s so much more to see.

Johannesburg, South Africa (08 April 2026) – We talk a lot about changing narratives… and this week’s podcast does exactly that.

In the latest episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘, Tebogo Mabye, or Tebza as he prefers to be called, sits down for a conversation that feels like an invitation into his world. It’s honest, and layered, and it’s deeply rooted in Hillbrow… a place he still calls home and one that continues to shape everything he does.

Tebza’s journey didn’t start with opportunity laid out in front of him. Growing up in Hillbrow, he faced real challenges, including time spent in shelters, navigating an environment that demanded strength from a young age. But what comes through so clearly in our conversation is not the difficulty, it’s the perspective he’s chosen to carry forward. He speaks about his upbringing with pride, about the people who shaped him and about the belief that where you come from can be the very thing that drives you forward.

That belief turned into action when he launched Hillbrewed Coffee Co., a business he built without formal training, relying on instinct, curiosity and a deep desire to create something meaningful in his community. The coffee shop became a space that created opportunities for others and showed that something special could exist right in the heart of the inner city. Even after losing it during COVID, Tebza didn’t step away from the dream, he evolved it, leaning further into food and the passion that had always been part of his story. That passion would take him onto MasterChef South Africa, where he brought his self-taught skills and personal story into kitchens watched by the entire country. But that was never the final destination. Tebza has continued to grow, stepping into modelling, pursuing sport as a kickboxer and building a life that reflects every part of who he is.

Today, he is also part of Jozi My Jozi, where he leads a Walking Tour, guiding people through Hillbrow in a way that challenges perceptions and opens eyes. It’s not about painting a perfect picture, it’s about showing the real one… the culture, the energy, the people and the stories that often go unseen.

If you’ve ever needed a reason to believe in the good things again, this poddie will give you that… and so much more.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
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Stories that matter. Conversations that count.

Sources: Good Things with 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 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 From Hillbrow to Headlines: Tebza’s Story is Changing How We See Joburg 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 large kitchen tucked inside Cape Town’s Epping industrial area is doing something extraordinary every single school day… feeding 12,000 children across the Cape Flats and preparing to reach even more.

Western Cape, South Africa (09 March 2026) – Hope can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places. In this case, it starts long before sunrise, inside an industrial building in Epping, where massive cooking vats begin bubbling at 4am and a team of local residents prepares thousands of meals destined for schoolchildren across the Cape Flats.

Every school day, around 12,000 nutritious meals leave that facility and make their way to classrooms where children might otherwise sit through lessons on empty stomachs. The kitchen has already reached the milestone of 1 million meals served in its first year of operation. What makes the story even more powerful is that everything is already in place to double that number. The facility, supported by the Prem Rawat Foundation through its global Food for People programme and operated locally by the Prem Ubuntu Foundation South Africa, has the capacity to provide up to 24,000 meals every single day. The infrastructure exists, the kitchen is running, the distribution network is established… and the impact is already visible.

We sat down with Brendan McGurk, who serves on the board of the Prem Ubuntu Foundation and has been deeply involved in bringing the initiative to life in South Africa, to understand how this extraordinary project came together.

“The roots of this programme actually go back almost twenty years,” Brendan explained.

“It began after Prem Rawat visited one of the poorest regions of India in 2003 and met children whose spirit and dignity were incredible despite the hardships they faced. That moment sparked an idea that food security could change everything for a child. The Food for People programme officially launched in 2006 and since then it has grown into a global initiative that has served more than 8.5 million nutritious meals across India, Nepal, Ghana and now South Africa.”

Bringing the programme to Cape Town was not accidental. The Cape Flats remains one of the areas where poverty and violence continue to shape daily life for many families and where hunger still stands as a major obstacle to education.

“Cape Flats communities carry a heavy legacy from South Africa’s history. Many families survive on less than R3,500 a month and food insecurity is part of everyday life. Teachers told us that hunger is the single biggest barrier to learning. Children who arrive at school hungry struggle to focus, they struggle to engage, and their attendance often suffers.”

The Epping facility was chosen deliberately because of its proximity to the communities it serves. Located right on the edge of the Cape Flats, it allows meals to be prepared at scale and delivered quickly to schools every morning.

Inside the building, the operation runs like a well-orchestrated system with a deeply human heart.

“Production starts at around four in the morning,” Brendan explained.

“The kitchen team is made up largely of local residents who understand the community because they live there themselves. These are not outside professionals parachuted in. They are people who have been trained, empowered and given an opportunity to feed their neighbours’ children.”

At the centre of the operation is facility manager Colin Barends, whose own story reflects the transformation this project represents.

“Colin grew up on the Cape Flats and was once involved in gang life. Through the Peace Education Program, he found a different path, and today he manages a kitchen that feeds thousands of children every single day. His journey captures the spirit of what this programme is about… people who know the challenges firsthand now leading solutions within their own communities.”

The scale of the kitchen is impressive. Industrial cooking vats, large preparation stations and upgraded storage facilities allow the team to produce meals that are nutritionally balanced and aligned with recommended dietary standards for children. Fresh vegetables, proteins and locally sourced ingredients are used to create dishes that are both healthy and delicious.

One of the more unexpected elements behind the menu comes from a respected Cape Town culinary institution.

“The recipes were developed with the help of a chef from the Vineyard Hotel. He worked with the team to create nutritious yet appealing meals for children. We’re talking about proper food, not just basic feeding schemes. These meals are cooked with care and flavour because the goal is dignity as well as nutrition.”

Once the meals are prepared, they are packaged and transported to schools through a carefully monitored distribution system that ensures full accountability.

“Governance is a huge part of how this programme works. Every aspect of procurement, food production and distribution is audited, and the last mile is monitored so we know exactly where the meals go each day. That transparency matters for our partners and donors, but it also builds trust within the communities we serve.”

The results are already being felt in classrooms.

Teachers working with participating schools report noticeable improvements in attendance, participation and concentration among learners receiving daily meals. For many children, the school meal is the most reliable food they receive all day.

“When a child knows they will eat at school, everything changes. They arrive more consistently, they can focus on their lessons, and teachers can teach to students who are alert rather than distracted by hunger.”

The milestone numbers tell part of the story. The programme delivered its one millionth meal within the first year of operation and is now producing more than 190,000 meals a month.

But the kitchen was always designed with a bigger vision.

“At full capacity, we could produce 24,000 meals every school day. That would allow us to feed the majority of primary school children across the Cape Flats. Imagine what that means, hunger would no longer be the reason a child cannot learn.”

Reaching that capacity requires additional support from local businesses, organisations and individuals who want to invest in a proven system already delivering results.

“The infrastructure is here, the team is here, the systems are in place,” Brendan said.

“What we need now is support to sustain the ingredients, the logistics and the operational costs that allow the kitchen to run at full scale.”

For Brendan, the motivation behind the project remains simple.

“I often hear people say it’s better to give someone a fishing rod than a fish. But when you feed children consistently, you are actually helping to build the fishing rod for their future. Proper nutrition gives them the foundation to learn, grow and eventually contribute back to their communities.”

That vision is already taking shape each morning in Epping, where meals prepared before sunrise travel across the Cape Flats and land on desks where hungry learners once struggled to concentrate.

Twelve thousand meals a day is already changing lives. Twenty-four thousand could change the future of an entire generation.

*The Prem Ubuntu Foundation South Africa will be hosting a fundraiser at the Woodstock Brewery on Thursday, the 26th of March at 6:30pm. For more information, visit their website. 

Sources: Interview with Brendan McGurk

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 Inside the Kitchen Feeding 12,000 Cape Flats Children Every Day 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.

This February, a single bicycle will carry far more than a rider from Clarens to Cape Town; it will carry stories of loss, gratitude and a deep belief that midlife can be the beginning of something extraordinary.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (10 February 2026) – There are people who chase finish lines and then there are people who chase meaning. Gordon “Lucky Gordy” Reid sits firmly in the second camp.

In a few weeks’ time, he’ll clip into his pedals in Clarens and point his bike towards Cape Town, taking on an 881km ride over 8 demanding days. It’s big, it’s bold, and, like everything Gordy does, it’s about far more than the kilometres on the road.

At 52, Gordy is an endurance athlete, a serial philanthropist and a Discovery Financial Advisor but labels only tell part of the story. His journey has been shaped by setbacks, sharp turns, and a deep belief that life is meant to be lived fully, generously, and with gratitude. This Trans Karoo Spirit Ride, organised by the Zululand Rotary Club, will end with the Cape Cycle Tour, bringing his total distance to a hefty 990km in just 10 days. It’s not just another adventure, it’s a mission with heart.

We sat down with Gordon to chat about the ride, the road that led him here, and the meaning behind the name that’s become synonymous with purpose-driven endurance: Lucky Gordy.

So, first things first… why “Lucky Gordy”?

Well, the proudly South African athlete says that “givers gain” is part of his moral code. Lucky Gordy believes that the luckier you think you are, the luckier you become… and it all starts with gratitude.

“I’ve lived an extraordinary life, filled with opportunities, adventures, and incredible people. At 52, if I died tomorrow, I’d go knowing I gave it my best shot,” he explains. 

“I call myself Lucky Gordy because I am lucky. Lucky to be here, lucky to be healthy enough to take on these challenges and lucky to be able to give back. My mission is simple: inspire people to support the causes that matter to them. If my story inspires even one person or sparks one moment of change, then my job here is done.”

That outlook didn’t come from an easy chapter. At 40, Gordy’s life took a sharp detour through hospitals and operating theatres.

“My five operations in one year were: two sinus operations, followed by two more surgeries to remove and biopsy suspicious tissue around my kidneys. And, just to add to the chaos of that year, I very nearly cut my own hand off in a signage accident with a box cutter. Not my finest year by far but that was the start of my ‘Healthy Midlife Crisis’.”

From hospital beds to covering more than 9,000km across some of South Africa’s toughest events, the shift didn’t happen overnight but there was a moment that changed everything.

“My wife and two beautiful daughters are my daily motivation. They push me to be better and to lead by example. But the true turning point came in 2013, shortly after my operations. I attended The Cows KZN launch party and, in a moment of pure impulse, signed a serviette committing to do a Half Ironman. Their message was simple: Do something you never believed you could do.”

At that stage, I wasn’t a runner or a swimmer (not even close) but that single signature marked the beginning of a completely new journey.”

Since then, Gordy has taken on the Comrades Marathon, multiple Dusi Canoe Marathons, Run for Rangers, Amashova in just about every form imaginable, Wines2Whales and more than ten Midmar Mile swims. Along the way, he’s helped raise millions for charities and shown that midlife isn’t an ending; it’s often a beginning.

He’s passionate about reframing how we see that chapter of life.

“Life is precious, and the old saying ‘you only live once’ isn’t true. The truth is: we die once, but we get to live every single day. It is never too late to make a change,” he tells us.

If you’re unhappy with any part of your life… your career, fitness levels, relationships, or even how you feel about yourself, take a bold step. Commit to change. Tell people what you’re planning, so they hold you accountable. Then start. Anything is possible.”

Gordy only began exercising seriously at 40. He says that he almost lost everything during COVID at 46. He changed careers at 47. And then started rewriting his story.

But this particular ride carries extra weight because of who it supports. Gordy is riding to raise R40,000 for the Rotary Club of Empangeni, with funds going to The Butterfly Home, the first and only registered children’s hospice in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

“Our country faces enormous challenges, but we’re blessed with extraordinary people and resources. Your work as ‘The Good Things Guy’ showcases that daily… ordinary South Africans doing extraordinary things through kindness and purpose.”

I’ve felt the weight of loss deeply. I lost my mum, my niece and several close friends to cancer. Holding my mum’s hand in a hospice in the UK as she took her last breath, ten years ago this month, changed me forever. Watching my niece, Paige Desaunois, go from a healthy 17-year-old to passing away just seven weeks after her first headaches showed me how fragile life is, and how essential love, dignity, and peace are at the end of life.”

Those experiences shaped him, and they guide him. They pushed him to help in the way he knows how.

For Gordy, The Butterfly Home represents compassion in action, providing paediatric palliative care to orphaned and abandoned children with severe disabilities and life-limiting conditions.

“The R40,000 I hope to raise will help them buy a vehicle for their outreach programme, a practical, life-changing tool that will allow them to reach more children, more families, and more communities who desperately need support. One act of kindness. One child at a time. One brave step forward into something better.”

When the road stretches long and the legs start to burn between Clarens and Cape Town, Gordy knows exactly what keeps him moving.

“I write the names of the people I’ve lost to life-limiting illnesses on my arms. It keeps them with me. I picture my mum, and my niece Paige. I also picture the children we’re riding for: abandoned or orphaned kids facing their final days with severe disabilities and life-limiting conditions. Imagining them being loved, held and given dignity at the end of life is what carries me up the hills and through the toughest moments.”

This ride is a celebration of distance travelled in every sense of the word… from recovery to purpose and from challenge to contribution. Gordon “Lucky Gordy” Reid is proving that age is not a limit, that giving back can be woven into even the hardest pursuits and that choosing gratitude can turn effort into impact.

You can follow Lucky Gordy on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok or LinkedIn. Or donate to his cause by clicking here.

Sources: Interview with Gordon “Lucky Gordy” Reid 

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 Lucky Gordy is Cycling 990km to Prove Midlife isn’t the End of the Road appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Across South Africa, countless people are willing to work, skilled and motivated, yet are overlooked every single day. Hire Me Mzansi was created to change that by making visibility the starting point for opportunity.

South Africa (01 February 2026) – You don’t need statistics to understand unemployment in South Africa. You just need to drive through your town. You’ll see people standing with hope in their eyes, skills in their hands and the belief that today might be different.

“Hire Me Mzansi” was created for those moments, and for those people, turning visibility into opportunity.

The new platform launched from a simple yet powerful idea: helping people be seen. Created by a local South African team who have chosen to remain anonymous for now, the platform focuses not on who built it but on who it serves. This is about the people waiting for work, the small businesses needing help, and the communities that grow stronger when opportunity is shared closer to home.

“Driving around my town, Gqeberha, the unemployment rate is very noticeable,” the team explains.

“There are hundreds of people just waiting for a chance to be picked up for a job that day and hopefully make money for food to take home to their families. It is heartbreaking to witness every day and know that so many of these people will be completely overlooked and driven right past. We felt it was necessary to assist these workers as far as possible in finding work. They are already trying so hard to put themselves out there, but not all of them are being seen.”

That reality led to a clear and honest realisation. South Africa was missing a single space where people could present themselves with dignity, clarity, and pride, and where others could easily find reliable, local help without relying on chance encounters or scattered social media posts.

“South Africa has been missing something important,” they say. “Firstly, a place where you can showcase yourself, or your service, your skills and your experience, and highlight what you have to offer as well as list the jobs or type of work you are seeking. Secondly, a place where people can go to search for highly rated general workers, skilled labour and services nearby. All profiles are reviewable and CVs and references are all available on request.”

“Hire Me Mzansi” brings together everyday work and everyday needs. From general workers, domestic help, painters and gardeners, to service providers, small businesses and even musicians for events, the platform creates a space where skills and opportunities can meet without friction. Instead of relying on word of mouth or endless scrolling, people can browse real profiles, search within their own areas, and connect directly with someone whose skills fit their needs.

In a country where unemployment can feel heavy and deeply personal, dignity was placed at the centre of the platform from the very beginning.

“Hire Me Mzansi gives everyone the same opportunity to be found,” the team explains.

“There are too many unemployed people looking for work with nowhere to look. There is no platform helping general workers find work in South Africa. We have created the platform where people can go to find local help and services nearby. You can choose the profiles that best suit your needs and request further information and references from them.”

Affordability was a key part of that thinking. The platform offers a free trial period and a refer-a-friend policy to help reduce barriers for those already under pressure.

“We have made the platform as affordable as possible for members to create profiles,” they add. “It is up to the member to create a profile that best showcases their personality, skills, and experience.”

For anyone reading this who feels hesitant to put themselves out there again, unsure whether their skills still matter, the team offers encouragement rooted in resilience and belief.

“The right person will be looking for someone with your personality, experience and skill set. You must not give up,” they say.

“If something on your profile is not working, change it. Acquire new skills, or rewrite your introduction from your heart, list all your experiences and make your profile personal. If you don’t put yourself out there to be seen, no one will be able to find you. Everyone is unique and has something special to offer. Someone will be searching just for you.”

Looking ahead, the vision for “Hire Me Mzansi” reaches beyond individual jobs and short-term solutions. The hope is that it becomes a trusted resource across the country, strengthening local economies and reshaping how South Africans help one another.

“The goal is that our platform will become a go-to resource for employers seeking workers and people seeking local services in their area. We hope that many of the unseen, unemployed South Africans will be given a fair chance to prove themselves in the work environment. It is not always an easy journey, but we are helping with the first step.”

“Hire Me Mzansi” focuses on local communities and everyday work, simplifying the hiring process and making it easier and safer to find reliable help close to home. It’s about connection, dignity, and restoring the belief that opportunity does not have to feel so far away.

At its core, “Hire Me Mzansi” is about people. People who are willing to work. People who have something to offer. People who just need a chance to be noticed. And if this platform can help even one person move from standing on a street corner to standing in a place of purpose, then it’s already doing something deeply important.

Sources: Interview with the team at “Hire Me Mzansi” 

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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 New Local Platform Is Turning Unemployment Into Opportunity, One Profile at a Time appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Chris Lomas joined me in studio to talk about Hope4’s global impact, its growing work in South Africa and the belief that lasting change only happens when dignity and community are placed at the centre of every solution.

Johannesburg, South Africa (28 January 2026) – Hope is a word we use often, but this week’s episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque explores what it looks like when hope is backed by real action, accountability and a deep respect for human dignity.

Chris Lomas is the founder and CEO of Hope4, and after connecting on LinkedIn, we jumped onto a Zoom call to talk about the work they have been doing around the world. Somewhere halfway through that conversation, I stopped him and said, “This can’t just be a Zoom. You have to come into studio”.

Some stories deserve more time, more space and a proper microphone and Hope4 is one of them.

On this week’s poddie, Chris joins me to unpack the incredible impact Hope4 has had internationally and, excitingly, right here in South Africa too. Guided by compassion and a deep respect for human dignity, Hope4 works in communities affected by poverty, human trafficking, conflict and natural disasters, offering both immediate relief and long-term, sustainable solutions that help people move from crisis to resilience.

What stood out for me is how grounded their approach is. Hope4 believes that every person deserves dignity, security and a real opportunity to build a stable life, and they back that belief with transparency, strong local partnerships and community-driven action.

As Chris explains, it is never just about aid, it is about empowerment, trust and lasting change.

There is also a very special announcement in this episode. Hope4 is heading to Kilimanjaro, turning a tough climb into a powerful platform for hope, awareness and impact, and if you know anything about me, you know that mountain already has a special place in my heart.

This conversation is full of heart, purpose and perspective. Watch it below:

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
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Stories that matter. Conversations that count.

Sources: Good Things Guy | Good Things with Brent Lindeque 

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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 Meet Chris Lomas: The Hope4 Founder Bringing Dignity, Action And Impact to Communities appeared first on Good Things Guy.

It’s easy to cheer for big numbers… but Christel House’s matric results come with something even bigger: meaning. At this school, every distinction represents a child who was lifted, supported, fed, counselled and believed in… until they believed in themselves too.

Western Cape, South Africa (19 January 2026) – While the Western Cape celebrated its highest-ever matric pass rate of 88% in 2025 (with 49% Bachelor passes), a no-fee independent school in Ottery once again pushed beyond the provincial averages… not for headlines but for children who were never meant to have options if you believe the odds.

Christel House South Africa, which has spent the past 25 years serving learners from 29 under-resourced Cape Town communities, has achieved a 96% matric pass rate for the Class of 2025, with 70% of candidates earning Bachelor passes. And while those numbers are impressive, what they truly represent is something far bigger than academic success… they represent lives being changed in real time.

“Poverty doesn’t only limit resources, it limits expectations. What these results show is that, with the right support, those expectations can be transformed,” the Christel House team told us.

They explained that while they’re proud of the 96%, and confident it will become 100% as they continue supporting two learners who are rewriting, the 70% Bachelor pass rate is the figure that is the most important here.

“That figure means access to university, to professional careers and to opportunities that can break generational cycles of poverty,” they added.

And it’s not a once-off success story either. Christel House says their goal is upward economic mobility, which is why they focus on character and career readiness from as young as four. Today, 97% of their alumni are either studying, employed, or doing both, proving that this model doesn’t just help learners pass… it helps them build futures.

Christel House isn’t built like a traditional school. It’s built like a safety net. The school provides transport, nutritious meals, healthcare, counselling, family support and career guidance. They understand something many people forget: a child can’t learn properly if they’re hungry, traumatised, unsafe or constantly in survival mode.

When asked what makes the biggest difference, the team pointed to two key parts of the model: their trauma-informed approach and their long-term career development support.

“Learning cannot happen until a child feels safe, seen, and supported,” they explained.

That’s why nurses, counsellors and social workers are part of everyday life on campus. It’s not extra… it’s essential.

One of the most powerful parts of the Christel House story is the Matric Intensive Programme, where the school hall is transformed into a dorm and study hub during exams, creating a safe, distraction-free environment for learners.

Each day begins with focused teaching from morning until 6pm, followed by supervised study from 8pm until midnight. It’s disciplined, intense and filled with support that changes everything.

In 2025, the programme became even more meaningful, where teachers stepped in as more than educators. One moment was watching Alique, the school’s top learner, an orphan, being supported by teachers who took on a parental role, offering guidance, reassurance and belief. Another was seeing learners like Muneebah, who lost her father just before exams, being carried through grief with real care.

“During the most difficult period of her life, she was not alone. Her teachers stood in as parents, ensuring she felt supported, protected, and capable of continuing,” the team shared.

This year’s matric cohort achieved 26 subject distinctions, and Christel House South Africa’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr Ronald Fortune, says we must never forget that behind every statistic is a human story.

“While we are immensely proud of our 2025 matric learners and the many commendable results they achieved, it’s important to remember that beyond these statistics are powerful student stories of ambition and purpose.”

Top-performing learner and valedictorian Alique J. from Hanover Park achieved four distinctions and has provisional acceptance to study Occupational Therapy at Stellenbosch University. Alique, who joined Christel House in Grade R, faced immense hardship along the way, including losing his mother two years ago,  yet still rose with strength and excellence.

“I wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for Christel House and the incredible staff,” he says.

Then there’s Kuhle J. from Philippi, who is passionate about women in STEM. With three distinctions, she has provisional acceptance to study Biomedical Engineering at Stellenbosch University.

“This field excites me because it allows me to combine my passion for technology, biology, and robotics with my deep desire to help others,” she says.

“I want to use innovative technologies to address healthcare challenges in South Africa.”

And then there is Muneebah Davids, whose story captures the spirit of Christel House in full. Muneebah grew up surrounded by gangsterism, unemployment and limited resources. After losing her father shortly before matric, she still achieved a Bachelor’s pass, including a distinction in English, and has been accepted to study at WITS, UCT, Stellenbosch, and UWC.

“I do believe that my results reflect my commitment and perseverance, especially under harsh personal circumstances,” she says.

“Genuinely, without Christel House, I would not be where I am today or have the confidence to pursue higher education… I am committed to using my education to make a positive difference in the world.”

When Christel House first opened its doors in 2002, staff went into communities to explain what they were offering… a world-class education and wraparound support at no cost. Many parents didn’t believe it. They were too afraid to hope.

25 years later, the proof is everywhere. In results, in alumni outcomes and in the lives transformed.

Now, Christel House is looking forward. A second cohort of 60 Grade 8 learners has joined the school, and plans are in place for another Grade RR–12 school in the Western Cape, pending land availability. They’re calling on partners who believe in the power of holistic education and long-term support to help scale a model that works.

If we want to change South Africa, we don’t start with anger or politics. We start with children. We start with a school that refuses to let poverty decide what a child can become.

And we back the work that turns “impossible” into “watch this space… we’re already doing it”.

Sources: Interview with the Christel House South Africa team 

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 Christel House Just Proved Poverty Doesn’t Get the Final Say! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

For some children, school shoes are a given. For many others, they are a luxury. As 2026 begins, South Africans are closing that gap with practical, thoughtful solutions.

South Africa (05 January 2026) – For many South African children, the start of a new school year does not come with shiny shoes, a fresh uniform, or that quiet confidence most of us take for granted. It comes with hand-me-downs. It comes with shoes that are too small, too broken, or not there at all. That reality is lived, daily, in communities across the country.

And yet, as the 2026 school year gets underway, something powerful is happening, as it does every year.

Across South Africa, corporates, retailers, brands, NGOs and community groups are stepping in to make sure that no child has to walk into a classroom barefoot or in unsafe footwear.

For parents already stretched by transport, stationery and uniforms, school shoes can be the final straw. That is why these initiatives matter. They remove pressure. They restore dignity. And they help children start the year focused on learning, not on sore feet.

FNB & PEP – 99c School Shoe Campaign

One of the most impactful back-to-school collaborations returns again, offering school shoes for just 99 cents to qualifying customers.

How it works:

• Available to FNB Easy or Aspire account holders
• Spend R300 or more in a single transaction at PEP (excluding the shoes)
• Pay with an FNB card and scan a PEP rewards card
• One pair per customer, limited stock nationwide

This campaign has already helped tens of thousands of families over the years, saving South Africans millions of rands in school uniform costs. It is intentionally designed to ease the financial load on low-income households when it matters most.

SPAR & Bata – R75 School Shoes

Another practical solution comes from a partnership that links grocery shopping with affordable footwear.

How it works:

• Spend R350 or more at SPAR
• Swipe a SPAR Rewards card
• Purchase one pair of Bata school shoes for R75
• Limited sizes and stock, while supplies last

This initiative gives families access to durable, quality school shoes at a fraction of the normal price. It is also widely used by grandparents, neighbours and community members supporting children beyond their own households.

Softer Shoes & Veldskoen – SchoolSkoen Project

The SchoolSkoen initiative blends quality craftsmanship with direct giving.

How it works:

• For every pair of SchoolSkoen shoes purchased, one pair is donated to a child in need
• Donations are distributed via schools and charity partners
• Some partnerships include additional bursary contributions

This model allows parents who can afford school shoes to directly help another child walk into school with confidence and dignity.

MyWalk (Netcare & Adcock Ingram)

MyWalk produces school shoes from recycled medical waste such as IV bags and oxygen tubing, turning what was once discarded into something life-changing.

Key features:

• Eco-friendly, durable, locally manufactured shoes
• Distributed at no cost through schools and education departments
• Supported by major corporate sponsors
• Notable supporters in recent years:
• Sanlam funded over 100,000 pairs for low-income schools
• Medihelp funded thousands of pairs for rural communities

Schools serving vulnerable communities are identified, and shoes are distributed directly to learners. Families do not need to apply individually, removing barriers and delays.

Adopt-a-School Foundation

Adopt-a-School runs targeted campaigns focused on restoring dignity and improving school attendance.

Focus areas:

• Learners in Quintile 1–3 schools
• Confidence, comfort and readiness to learn
• How it works:
• Funds are raised centrally
• Shoes are purchased and distributed directly to selected schools

Local community & media shoe drives

Beyond national campaigns, communities continue to show up for their own. Radio stations, schools, malls, neighbourhood groups and NGOs across South Africa run seasonal shoe drives every year.

Common formats:

• Donate a new pair of school shoes
• Sponsor a pair for a set amount
• Drop-off points at malls or schools

Shoes are typically handed out through schools, ensuring they reach children who need them most, without stigma or fanfare.

A pair of school shoes may seem small, but for a child, it changes everything. It means walking to school without pain. It means standing a little taller in class. It means focusing on lessons instead of worrying about broken soles or bare feet on hot tar.

As 2026 begins, these initiatives remind us of something important. Progress does not always arrive loudly. Sometimes it arrives quietly, in the form of leather, laces and rubber soles, carried by people and organisations who understand that dignity starts from the ground up.

And that is good news worth stepping into.

Source: Various 

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 These School Shoe Campaigns Are Doing More Than Covering Feet appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Tourism has always promised opportunity, but for many small, community-based food businesses, that promise has felt just out of reach… until now.

Western Cape, South Africa (03 January 2026) – South Africa is open for business… and for visitors. From coastal towns to city centres, peak tourism season is in full swing, with travellers arriving in their thousands every day, eager to explore, eat and experience what makes this country so special.

In Cape Town alone, an average of 35,000 visitors arrive daily over our summer holidays. But while tourism numbers surge, an uncomfortable truth remains: too many local, community-based food businesses are still standing on the sidelines of this economic opportunity. That is the challenge ‘Unexplored Cape Town‘ is actively working to change. And the ripple effects could reach far beyond one city.

Across South Africa, tourism has long been positioned as a growth engine for jobs and small business. Yet the benefits are uneven. Visitors are often funnelled towards polished, high-end experiences, while informal traders, heritage food spaces and small businesses struggle to gain visibility or access.

This disconnect is not unique to Cape Town; it mirrors patterns seen in cities and towns nationwide.

Unexplored Cape Town’s “Tourism 2.0” model is gaining traction because it tackles this issue head-on. It asks a simple but powerful question: what if tourism was designed to include, rather than exclude? What if growth was measured not only in visitor numbers, but in dignity, fairness and long-term opportunity for local entrepreneurs?

Food sits at the centre of that rethink. Today, around 80% of travellers research food before choosing a destination, making culinary culture one of South Africa’s most powerful and underutilised tourism assets. But as neighbourhoods gentrify and commercial pressures rise, many small food businesses are being pushed out or overlooked. Tourism 2.0 reframes tourism as a platform for inclusion, embedding fair revenue distribution, honest storytelling and long-term community partnerships into every experience. That thinking is now being recognised at provincial level, with national relevance. Late last year, Unexplored Cape Town was invited by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism to present its Tourism 2.0 model at the #WCTGWorkshop2025, engaging more than 300 tourism-sector stakeholders. While the case study is Cape Town, the principles apply to destinations across South Africa… from township food tours to rural culinary routes and urban street-food hubs.

“Tourism 2.0 is a framework of immediate actions for travel operators who are serious about responsible travel,” says Dennis Molewa, founder of Unexplored Cape Town.

“We presented core principles that integrate desirable sustainability initiatives, from inclusive hiring and fair revenue distribution to ensuring heritage preservation and honest storytelling. This approach demands we move past the extractive nature of tourism towards long-term partnerships that includes local community food businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Crucially, the work is not only happening at policy level. Unexplored Cape Town has also partnered with the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT, inviting the next generation of designers, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers to rethink how tourism works on the ground. During Design Thinking Week, students were challenged to redesign food tourism in ways that are more inclusive for marginalised businesses and more meaningful for both locals and visitors.

More than 49 multidisciplinary students immersed themselves in the inner city, visiting Somali, Senegalese and diaspora-owned food spaces. They listened to business owners, explored lived realities and uncovered the barriers that so many small enterprises face, access to markets, digital tools, visibility and capital. Their early concepts ranged from QR-based discovery tools and onboarding systems for informal kitchens, to ideas for heritage-food markets and collaborative food ventures.

“If I learned one thing about design thinking, it’s that there is never just one problem, and never just one solution,” Molewa shares. “The challenge unlocked a process to explore different solutions, which will ultimately help us chart a multidimensional path forward where culture, economy, identity, and community intersect.”

Those ideas are now feeding into the African Food Business Fund, a newly formed non-profit initiative aimed at supporting marginalised, heritage-based African food enterprises through sustainable business development, digital empowerment and community partnerships. While rooted in Cape Town, the ambition speaks directly to challenges faced by small food businesses across South Africa.

For participants, the impact has already been deeply personal.

“After the challenge I joined Unexplored Cape Town for their African Food and Storytelling Experience. I ate with my hands and explored the CBD through the eyes of local business owners,” says Samira Matan, Human-Centered Designer and MSc student at UCT. “As an African diaspora, it was truly wonderful to experience the rich history of Cape Town and truly out-of-this-world Pan-African food.”

As South Africa moves through another busy tourism season, the conversation sparked by Tourism 2.0 feels timely and necessary. Tourism does not have to be something that happens to communities. With intention, it can happen with them, creating pathways for small businesses, protecting cultural heritage and ensuring that growth is shared.

“Food tourism is no longer a niche,” Molewa says. “Today, a significant portion of travellers choose where they go based on culinary experiences. But the real and necessary gains should also reach small, black- and brown-owned businesses. Our goal is to reimagine how visitors and locals alike engage with South Africa through a model that restores dignity and uplifts communities.”

If Tourism 2.0 can take hold beyond Cape Town, it offers something South Africa urgently needs: a way to grow tourism that reflects who we are, values where we come from, and opens doors for those who have been excluded for far too long.

For more information, visit Unexplored.

Source: Unexplored 

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 Tourism 2.0: The Big Idea Helping Local Food Businesses Share in South Africa’s Travel Boom appeared first on Good Things Guy.