There was a time when Joe Fleming didn’t think he’d make it through… today, he’s helping other men find their way back, one step at a time.

Johannesburg, South Africa (25 March 2026) – This week’s episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque’ is honest, raw and filled with hope. I got to sit down with Joe Fleming… a man whose journey across South Africa has been anything but ordinary, and whose purpose today is rooted in helping others find their way back to themselves.

Joe speaks openly about a time when he found himself in what he describes as a “dark place”, a moment where everything felt overwhelming and the future felt impossibly far away. He shares how he reached a point where he tried to take his own life… and how, in that final moment, something intervened.

“I don’t know what it was,” he explains. “People call it different things… faith, instinct, something bigger than us… but something stopped me. Something gave me a second chance.”

And that second chance became the beginning of everything. Through that experience, Joe began to rebuild, not all at once, but step by step, breath by breath, learning how to be present again, how to sit with himself and how to reach out instead of withdrawing. He doesn’t romanticise or simplify it. It’s a raw, honest conversation. That realisation is what led to the creation of Recharge… a space where men can walk side by side, talk if they want to, stay silent if they need to, and simply be part of something that reminds them they’re not alone.

“Men don’t always have spaces like this,” Joe shares. “We’re taught to keep things in, to deal with it, to move on… but sometimes what you actually need is to stop, to breathe, and to walk next to someone who understands.”

Joe’s love for South Africa runs through everything he does, from the landscapes he explores to the communities he builds, and it’s clear that this country didn’t just become his home… it became part of his healing. Through storytelling, adventure and connection, he’s found a way to give back in a way that’s deeply human and incredibly needed.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
Powered by BetterBond. Filmed at Primedia Studios.
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 He Almost Lost His Life… Now He’s Helping Others Find Theirs appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A proudly South African comic book has taken a remarkable leap from page to screen, earning one of the world’s top science film honours and inspiring thousands along the way.

Johannesburg, South Africa (24 March 2026) – What started as a comic book featuring real South African scientists… and yes, even a small nod to Good Things Guy… has now become an internationally recognised, award-winning animated short film.

And it’s a big win for storytelling, for science, for education and for every young South African who has ever wondered where they fit into the future.

“SuperScientists – Origins” has just been awarded the 2025 Discovery Award by Rolls-Royce at the Goethe-Institut Science Film Festival, the largest science film festival in the world. Out of more than 1,500 films submitted from 100 countries, only 123 were selected and just 6 received awards. This proudly local production stood among the very best.

And when you get the background of what this project is about, you immediately understand why.

SuperScientists was developed to inspire young people and help them see themselves in the faces and life stories of scientists working today. It takes real South African scientists and reimagines them as superheroes, not by changing who they are, but by amplifying what they already do every single day.

“We’ve reached tens of thousands of young people with our materials, exhibits, and characters. SuperScientists makes learning hands-on and fun, while providing rich information about science and scientists to people young and old.”

It’s thinking that flips the narrative completely, because science suddenly isn’t something distant or intimidating… it becomes something human, relatable and even a little bit magical.

“We all love a good fictional superhero; they can shrink down to the quantum realm or jump over a building in a single bound. Real scientists, real people, have just as amazing powers! Scientists can see individual atoms within a molecule, read the DNA of a single cell in a tumour, and peer back in time to when black holes collided. They have saved millions of lives through their research and technological advances and are solving questions today that people have asked for millennia.”

The project, created by the South African non-profit CodeMakers, has already reached tens of thousands of young people through comics, museum exhibits, activity books and now animation. More than 3,000 copies of the comic were printed and distributed through the Maropeng museum, bringing science into spaces where curiosity is already alive and waiting.

But the journey didn’t start with a big production. It started with a moment of realisation.

We sat down with Justin Yarrow, the founder of SuperScientists, to unpack how it all came together… and why it matters so much.

“I was teaching coding to learners in Cato Manor, Durban and wanted them to learn about South African scientists. I asked them to name a scientist and only a couple could. They said Einstein, no South Africans, no Black South Africans. I made a bulletin board of South African scientists but they completely ignored it. They loved making animations and video games with characters they saw on TV, like Dragon Ball Z. I realised that we need to meet learners where they are, in a world of characters and imagination and get scientists into their hands. Scientists truly have the closest thing to superpowers, and so it all came together to make SuperScientists trading cards. From there we’ve gone on to make comics, a museum exhibit, activity books, our animation short and we are now developing an animation series.”

That thinking has now travelled far beyond South Africa, with the animated short being dubbed into multiple languages and screened in over 10 countries. But what matters most isn’t just the reach… it’s the reaction.

“What’s great has been seeing all the questions it prompts – what’s it like to be a scientist? Where can I see those bones? Are they real superpowers? How did you become a scientist? That’s what we want – young people asking questions, figuring out the answers, and asking the next set of questions. Curiosity is incredibly powerful.”

The film itself follows a school trip to the Cradle of Humankind, where a curious teenager named Buhle stumbles into a cavern and accidentally unlocks something extraordinary… transforming real-life scientists into SuperScientists. It’s a story packed with adventure, discovery and just enough wonder to spark something lasting.

And those scientists are not fictional. They’re based on real South Africans like Dr Keneiloe Molopyane, Dr Tebogo Makhubela and Dr Silidokuhle Mavuso… people doing world-class work, now reimagined in a way that young audiences can connect with.

At a time when misinformation is everywhere and critical thinking feels more important than ever, telling these kinds of stories carries real weight.

“South African science is world-class in so many different fields, and we’re very happy that we can help these stories break through and advocate for the importance of science and research more generally,” Justin explains.

“STEM is critically important not just for the innovations and advancements that it creates but also for developing people who are able to cut through the noise and misinformation that is purposefully created. It’s part of the reason that the Trump administration has blocked and reduced science and science education funding. They know that it helps create critical thinkers, and that’s a threat. We’re lucky to live in a country that supports science, and the growing number of master’s and PhD-level scientists in South Africa and the continent is a really good news story. I want young South Africans who see this film to learn something about our incredible palaeontology heritage and discoveries, be entertained, and challenge their idea of what a scientist looks like. I want them to appreciate and see how cool science is and maybe some of them will go on to be scientists themselves.”

And then, in a moment that genuinely made us smile, Justin explained why Good Things Guy found its way into the comic.

“It was a great match, both SuperScientists and Good Things Guy promote the amazing people in South Africa and the impressive things that we get up to. I can only imagine that the next incredible discovery that the Cradle of Humankind uncovers will make it into Good Things Guy, and so it was only right that our fictional discovery did as well. There are many terrible things happening in the world but science is fundamentally about discovering the truth about how things work and opening our eyes to how incredible life and the Universe are. Along the way, some of that science gets turned into innovations that address problems… disease, climate change, etc. Science has its fair share of problems, but all in all, I think science stories are very positive and when young South African’s see us succeeding in science, it gives them great pride and can set them on a path to become the next scientist making a cool discovery that no one in the world has ever made before.”

From a classroom in Durban to an award stage on the global circuit, this is what happens when creativity, education and purpose collide. And somewhere out there, a kid is watching this film, seeing a scientist who looks like them and realising for the very first time… that they belong in that story too.

You can download the comic book for free from here! 

Sources: Interview with Justin Yarrow 

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 Real Scientists, Real Heroes: SA Animation Wins International Honour appeared first on Good Things Guy.

As more South Africans search for stories that uplift and inspire, our “little” podcast continues to prove that good news isn’t just needed… it’s wanted.

Johannesburg, South Africa (22 March 2026) – I started podcasting before podcasting was really a “thing” in South Africa… and all these years later, it’s become one of my favourite ways to tell stories.

And now… more of you are wanting to tune in.

I’ve been getting messages asking how to follow or subscribe to the podcast (or poddie, as I like to call it), which I love, because it means you’re choosing to add a little more good into your day. So I thought I would make it easy, and also share a bit of the journey behind what has become South Africa’s longest-running “good news” podcast, brought to you by the country’s top good news site.

This all started back in 2014 at CliffCentral (ja, 12 years ago), where I spent 4 years experimenting, learning and figuring out what a good news podcast could look like in a space that wasn’t built for it yet. From there, I moved to Jacaranda FM and launched the very first podcast on Jacpod, which was a massive moment at the time. Then in 2021, I took a leap (now with a full team) and went fully independent, backing the show through Good Things Guy and building it into something that truly reflects what we stand for. In 2025, we took it one step further and added video, so you’re not just hearing the conversations… you’re part of them.

We’ve had some incredible guests join us in studio over the years, each bringing their own story, their own energy and their own perspective. From Robbie Brozin sharing insights from building Nando’s (and Jozi My Jozi), to Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp’s warmth and honesty, to Cool Story Bru (on becoming one of South Africa’s favourite TikTokkers) to Themba Robin, Joy Steffens, Professor Jerome Loveland and the wildly entertaining Suzelle DIY (aka Julia Anastasopoulos). Every single episode adds something different, but they all carry the same thread… real stories that remind us of the good that exists all around us.

The poddie is now officially sponsored by BetterBond (and filmed at Primedia Studios), and it feels like the perfect partnership. BetterBond isn’t just about helping South Africans secure home loans, they are about helping people take the next step in their lives, creating spaces where memories are made and futures are built. That belief in possibility and progress fits so naturally with what we do at Good Things Guy and it has helped us grow the podcast into something even more meaningful and far-reaching.

“Good Things with Brent Lindeque” is currently ranked 8th among the country’s top podcasts, right behind The Gareth Cliff Show, True Crime South Africa, and SMWX. And that’s only because of you. That’s every download, every listen, every share and every moment you’ve chosen to spend with us.

2026 has already come out swinging. We’ve shared conversations with Kelvin van Baalen, a South African who spent 413 days in ICU and faced a R21 million medical bill, yet still found a way to keep going and share his story. Joey Evans joined us to talk about going from paralysis to finishing the Dakar Rally, which still feels surreal when you hear it. Chris Lomas, the founder of Hope4, reminded us how powerful small acts of kindness can be when they are done consistently, and Brendan Murray from The Owl Rescue Centre showed us just how much care and compassion goes into protecting the creatures we share this world with.

And there have been so many more incredible conversations.

The real good news is that we are only getting started!!!

If you’ve been wondering how to listen, you’ve got options. You can watch and subscribe on YouTube, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok… whatever works for you, wherever you are. That’s what this poddie is really about. Making good news accessible. Making it easy to find. And making sure that whenever you need a reminder that there is still so much good out there… you know exactly where to press play.

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 The Podcast Bringing South Africa The Stories it Needs Right Now appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Ahead of World TB Day, a new episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque’ is bringing one of South Africa’s biggest health stories into clearer focus.

South Africa (22 March 2026) – In the lead-up to World TB Day (on the 24th of March), I sat down with Doctor Anura David, Senior Medical Scientist at the Wits Diagnostics Innovation Hub, for a podcast that puts people, progress and possibility at the centre of South Africa’s fight against tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) can feel like a distant topic for many, something that lives in statistics rather than everyday life, but this conversation changes that. It breaks things down in a way that is human, accessible and, most importantly, hopeful.

“South Africa has already made incredible progress in reducing TB,” Anura shares. “The next step is making testing easier, treatment shorter and care more accessible so that we can reach more people, faster.”

That progress is real. Since 2015, South Africa has reduced its TB incidence rate by 61%, a shift that speaks to the work being done across communities, clinics and laboratories. But what makes this moment exciting is what comes next.

In the episode, we unpack the innovations already on the horizon… from potential vaccines to a simple tongue swab test that could make diagnosis far less invasive, as well as shorter treatment options that could change how patients experience recovery.

“We are seeing technologies emerge that could completely shift how we detect and treat TB,” she explains. “The goal is to remove barriers so that people can get diagnosed early and start treatment quickly.”

This week’s podcast is not about overwhelming you with science, it is about showing how South African expertise is shaping real solutions with global impact and how those solutions translate into better care, earlier diagnoses and more lives changed.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
Powered by BetterBond. Filmed at Primedia Studios.
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 Inside South Africa’s Fight Against Tuberculosis appeared first on Good Things Guy.

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

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

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

At the heart of it all is connection.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources: GALLUP 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I do now.

Hope is contagious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Verkeerde WhatsApp-groepie, Maritjie.

But it wasn’t. And I had to.

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

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

I wish I had taken a picture.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This all feels so hopeful. So… not broken.

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

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

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

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

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

This is goosebump stuff. Life-changing.

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

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

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

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

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

Kristen and the team at MII understand this.

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

I need you to read that again.

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

I was completely overwhelmed.

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

It’s that it is also helping.

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

And that’s when Robbie hugged me.

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

Hope… is contagious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But there is hope here.

And hope… is contagious.

Sources: Brent Lindeque OpEd 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

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

There’s a lot of noise around AI right now, but Carmen Murray cuts through it with one powerful idea on ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque’… the future belongs to those who strengthen their humanity, not those who try to outrun technology.

Johannesburg, South Africa (21 January 2026) – The future is arriving fast. Faster than most of us can properly process. One minute you’re scrolling memes and making coffee, the next minute AI is writing essays, building businesses, changing industries and making people wonder what’s going to happen to the human part of the story.

That’s why this week’s episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘ feels so important. I sat down with Carmen Murray to discuss the future. And AI. And business. And women. And numerology.

Carmen is a “cultural translator and creative provocateur,” building bridges between business, humanity and the future. She equips organisations to turn uncertainty into opportunity, and in a world where AI is changing everything, her message is clear: the goal isn’t to compete with technology… it’s to collaborate with it. She believes our human potential is reached when we strengthen the qualities that make us irreplaceable… critical thinking, emotional sovereignty, creativity and foresight.

In other words, becoming more human, not more robotic.

And because it’s me… the conversation also goes to fun places, we chatted about numerology. Which, of course, means 11 makes an appearance. It’s always 11.

But there’s another message in this episode that really matters: the future doesn’t only need better technology, it needs better leadership, and that means more women in leadership. Carmen explains how organisations that embrace what women bring to leadership. Collaboration, adaptability and systems thinkin don’t just build better businesses; they build stronger, more sustainable ones. She calls it the Sprinkler Effect, where women’s leadership creates ripples of innovation and cultural transformation that extend far beyond the boardroom.

This episode is hopeful, practical, energising, and feels like a deep breath. If you’ve been feeling uncertain about where the world is heading (even though it’s only the start of the year), this conversation might help you reframe it all.

It might remind you that AI doesn’t erase the human story.

It amplifies it… if we choose to show up fully.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
Powered by BetterBond. Filmed at Primedia Studios.
Stories that matter. Conversations that count.

Sources: Good Things Guy | 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 AI is Here… But Carmen Murray Says Humans Are Still the Magic! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

2016 is trending again. And suddenly we’re all looking back like it was the last time life made sense. Foodie pics. Facebook check-ins. Blurry photos. But beyond the filter version of that year, something else was happening too… South Africans were still doing what they do best: showing up for each other.

South Africa (20 January 2026) – 2016 is having a moment again… and I totally get why. It was a decade ago. And a lot can change in 10 years. Right now, it seems to be the go-to year everyone is dragging back onto our feeds like it was the last “simple” era, when social media still felt like a fun diary instead of a full-time performance.

Back then, we’d wake up and post a photo of our breakfast, then we’d “check in” with friends at lunch (like we were celebrities on tour), and before the clock struck midnight there was always some blurry photo from a bar where someone’s shirt had gone missing and everyone looked like they’d just discovered freedom for the first time.

Or was that just me?

I’ve spent the last couple of days scrolling through your 2016 photos while trying to remember what my life looked like ten years ago, and honestly… it was pretty cool.

I was running my Marketing Agency while working at Cliffcentral, and Good Things Guy was still in its first year, brand new, still finding its feet but still proving that people actually wanted to read the good stuff. I was on stage, giving a few talks here and there, went to loads of Secret Sunrises (do you remember those), and somehow managed to fit weddings, funerals, movie premieres, and all my life into one year. I even had a little TV feature every Friday night at 6:30. I loved it because I could feel my career building in real time… but I hated it because all my friends had been at the local bar since 3pm, and I’d arrive like, “Hi guys,” and then spend the next hour trying to catch up (hence the photo of a shirtless man.. it was me).

That was also the year I went to Serbia… but decided to get there via Dubai, London and Scotland, and came back via Germany. Don’t ask. I don’t even know why we booked that way. But we did have all the fun.

Pop culture was giving us absolute gold too. Beyoncé was “Lemonading”, the Biebs was telling someone to go “Love Yourself..” and we were all “Eating Cake By The Ocean”. All while our screens were filling up with new obsessions… “Stranger Things”, “The Crown”, “The Good Place”, “Westworld” and “This is Us” all premiered that year.

I only watched “This is Us” in 2022… ja, I was late to the party but I watched the whole thing in one go. It was bladdy spectacular. I actually think I need to do it again. It’s emotions on steroids.

But if we zoom out for a second, away from music, series and social media, the world was also shifting in 2016.

The UK voted to leave the EU, Donald Trump was elected as US President, there was a bombing in Brussels, the Zika outbreak spread fear across continents and Brazil hosted the Olympics while the world watched with mixed emotions.

And in South Africa… we were going through it too.

Loadshedding became part of our reality, Zuma was told to pay back the money (has he done that yet?), the SABC was being scrutinised for censorship claims, “State Capture” entered our everyday vocabulary and the Gupta allegations reached full crisis mode. The drought also tightened its grip, while Cape Town started bracing for “Day Zero”.

So yes… 2016 was a lot of things. Social media may have felt simpler, but the world was quite messy. Looking back now and the “whole picture” feels heavy. I don’t think we can pretend it wasn’t. But we also know something else to be true… even when the news cycle feels like it’s swallowing all the happiness, South Africans still show up as helpers. As heroes. As the people who will pull strangers out of danger, protect children they’ve never met, raise each other up and remind the world that kindness doesn’t disappear just because the year is hard.

That’s why, when everyone started looking back at 2016 recently, and I was looking back at my life, I also wanted to look back through a Good Things Guy lens. So I went digging into the archives and pulled out the top 10 most-read stories from that year. And no, these weren’t the biggest headlines in South Africa. Good Things Guy was still a baby. But they were moments that made people stop scrolling and feel something good again. They were incredibly important. And they made 2016 feel pretty damn good.

Funny enough, we’ve been tagged by readers in two of these stories, which global social pages are sharing as “new” news. So it seems, 10 years later and this good news is still relevant.

10. Buzzfeed voted South Africa as one of the most beautiful countries in the world!

Not because we needed an overseas website to validate us but because sometimes we forget what we live inside of. In 2016, BuzzFeed listed South Africa among the world’s most beautiful countries, pointing to places like Table Mountain and the Drakensberg Amphitheatre… and South Africans loved it because it reminded us that our home is still extraordinary, even when the news makes it feel heavy.

This article mattered a little more back then too. It was one of the first lists we’d ever found like this. And since we were the only good news platform (in South Africa) at the time, we were also the only publication to report on it. Now these lists seem to come out weekly. We’re not complaining, though, we still celebrate them!

9. South Africans formed a human chain to help each other during the Johannesburg floods.

This article was one of those “only in South Africa” moments… where strangers literally linked arms in fast-moving floodwater, guiding people to safety and helping each other out of cars. The clip went viral, but the real story wasn’t the video… it was the instinct. That immediate decision so many people make in this country: we don’t leave each other behind.

8. Taxi drivers used their vehicles to protect an injured student after a crash.

This story still makes my heart so full. And it mattered because it challenged the way people love to stereotype. After a learner was injured, taxi drivers were among the first to act… creating a physical barrier with their vehicles to protect the student and stop things from escalating.

It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t for show. It was just humans being human. And I guess South Africans being us.

7. Rudi Smit went viral… and Meghan Trainor noticed.

If you were online in 2016, you remember it. Rudi Smit and his crew absolutely OWNED Meghan Trainor’s “Me Too” with a dance routine featuring more than 27 dancers. It exploded across the internet, racking up views like crazy, and then Meghan Trainor herself responded. Like WTAF?! It was one of those wholesome global moments that made South Africans walk a little taller for a month.

6. Tracy Todd Heine reminded us to live out loud.

It was the year I met Tracy Todd Heine. And she completely changed the way I (and many readers) see life.

Tracy’s journey, filled with courage and perspective, touched thousands because it wasn’t just about surviving something difficult. It was about choosing happiness anyway. She later raised enough money through crowdfunding to publish her memoir, turning her own pain into something that could hold someone else up. 10 years later and she is still such an inspiration.

5. We met Jo Black for the first time.

This was the year we were introduced to the Afrikaans artist who was breaking every mould…. tattoos, style, edge… but also sincerity and heart. He was proof that South Africans are never just one thing, and that sometimes the people who look the toughest have the softest message.

4. Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen made history as South Africa’s first Michelin-star chef.

In 2016, Jan Hendrik became the first South African chef to earn a Michelin Star.

That moment wasn’t just about food. It was about possibility. About what happens when a South African takes the world stage and doesn’t just show up… but changes the room. Who knew that (almost) 10 years later, he would invite me to dinner at his incredible restaurant in Nice, France, and make me cry over cheese?

3. Margie Brand survived a terror attack with her baby… and still chose love.

This story wasn’t easy, but it was unforgettable. Margie survived the Westgate Mall terror attack while protecting her eight-month-old baby. And even though this story wasn’t from South Africa, it went viral here. Margie hid for hours, living every parent’s nightmare, and what stayed with people wasn’t only what happened to her… it was what she chose afterwards: messages of humanity, compassion, and hope instead of hate. That takes a different kind of strength. And was one of my greatest interviews of 2016.

2. Obakeng Seutane saved a woman’s life… and restored faith in South Africa.

Nicole Morgan believed she was going to die. Then Obakeng ran toward the chaos (not away from it), dispersed the crowd, and helped her in the moment she needed it most. It was the kind of story that made people comment the same thing over and over again: there are still good people here.

1. Allan Gray gave away his entire controlling stake to charity.

And then there was this. A story that genuinely stopped people mid-scroll. Various news outlets reported that Allan Gray and his family had donated their entire controlling stake in the investment company and its offshore partner Orbis to charity, with dividends going to philanthropic causes and the family retaining no remaining economic interest.

It wasn’t a small donation or a PR campaign… it was legacy-level generosity. Giving that will carry forward long after a trend disappears.

It’s “that” quote in action, that I always mention… and add to.

When you read these 10 stories now, you realise something. Or at least I did. They weren’t viral because they were “nice”. They were viral because people needed proof… proof that there was still goodness here, still heart here and still something worth holding onto when everything else felt loud.

And that’s what makes looking back at 2016 so interesting… it wasn’t a simpler time. It was just a different kind of complicated.

Ja, it was the era of Instagram foodie pics and Facebook check-ins at places nobody needed to know you were at. It was also a time of blurry photos, big opinions, bigger personalities and a social media world that felt more playful than pressurised. But while we were posting and laughing and living, real life was still happening in the background. With no filters.

That’s why this whole “things were better back then” conversation never really fits. It depends who you were. Where you were. What you were carrying. 10 years ago, someone was living their best year… while someone else was simply trying to survive theirs. Time doesn’t treat everyone the same and memory definitely doesn’t either.

But here’s what I do know.

Looking back isn’t about going back. It’s about perspective. It’s about seeing how far we’ve come… not only as a country but as people. It reminds us of the moments that shaped us, the chapters that tested us, the good things that were happening even when the headlines were heavy and the strength we didn’t realise we had until life forced it out of us.

I love this trend (of looking back to 10 years ago) but I don’t think it’s about missing 2016… it’s about appreciating what it made of us.

Sources: Various | All Linked 

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 2016 Was a Vibe… But the Good Things Were Even Better! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

For over a decade, Good Things Guy has celebrated helpers, heroes and healers… but now, there’s a place built specifically for them. The Helpers is live, and it’s ready to connect kindness to action.

South Africa (14 January 2026) – A decade ago, Good Things Guy started with one simple idea… that if we focused on what was good, we could change what we felt and ultimately change what we did. That by sharing stories of helpers, heroes, and everyday kindness, we could remind South Africans that hope isn’t something we wait for… it’s something we build.

But behind every hopeful story we share, there are thousands more happening in the shadows… stories that never reach the public because the people living them are too busy surviving. And for years, our inbox has been a front-row seat to that reality. Messages from people who aren’t looking for attention or a headline… they’re looking for help. Real help. Urgent help. Help that can’t wait until “next week”.

That’s why this week’s episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘ is more than just another episode.

It’s a new chapter.

This week, we are launching something incredibly special… something that has been in the hearts of the Good Things Guy team for years, something that was born out of need, built out of love and shaped by South Africans who never stopped showing up for each other.

On this week’s show, the incredible Good Things Guy editor, Tyler Leigh Vivier, joins me in studio as we officially launch The Helpers (and yes, it is live right now).

The Helpers is South Africa’s new centralised, user-driven charity directory. It is a platform designed to connect people who need help with organisations that can provide it… and to connect those who want to help with the causes that matter most to them. It’s practical, it’s searchable, and it’s built for speed, because when someone is in crisis, they don’t have time to scroll through endless Facebook posts or hope the right person sees their message. They need a place they can trust. A place that says, “Start here.”

Powered by the Good Things Guy team and created with the help of the amazing Druff Interactive team, The Helpers was born from something very real… and if you’ve been part of our community for a while, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our inboxes were flooded, not just with stories of resilience and hope, but with hundreds… and then thousands… of messages from South Africans who needed help urgently. We read messages from people needing food parcels and shelter, families desperate to escape abuse, animal lovers trying to rescue strays with nowhere else to turn. The need was overwhelming then… and if we’re being honest… it’s more overwhelming now.

So, in the middle of that chaos, Tyler did what Tyler always does. She didn’t panic. She didn’t look away. She just got to work.

She created a “Charity” section on Good Things Guy, listing trusted organisations people could turn to. It was never meant to be a big thing… it was just meant to be useful. It was meant to make it easier for someone to find help without having to beg for it.

But that section grew. And grew. And grew.

And so did the need.

As Tyler says, “People weren’t just asking for a story… they were asking where to go next.”

So we built something bigger… because South Africa deserves it

In 2025, as Good Things Guy celebrated its 10-year birthday, we made a decision. We weren’t going to just keep sharing stories about helpers… we were going to create a tool for helpers.

We decided to build something bigger. Something better. Something that could genuinely change lives.

And that something is The Helpers.

It’s a growing directory of charitable organisations across South Africa, built so that whether you need help or want to help, you can find what you’re looking for… quickly, safely, and with confidence.

You can search by area, which means if you’re looking for help near you in places like Johannesburg, Bloemfontein or Cape Town, you can find organisations in your community and around the country. You can also search by cause, which means whether your heart beats for gender-based violence support, education, cancer support, animal welfare, food security, shelter, or any other urgent need… you can find the right place to direct your support.

It’s for people who need help.

It’s for people who want to help.

And it’s for South Africans who still believe in the power of showing up for each other.

The Helpers is an extension of Good Things Guy, powered by the same team who have been sharing South Africa’s good news for over a decade, but this platform is not about us.

It’s about you… the helpers, the heroes, the healers and the warriors of hope.

We believe in a better South Africa. And we believe this is how we build it… not with big speeches, but with real connections, real support and real action.

The Helpers is live right now… and it’s only just the beginning.

*We asked 50 charities to register as a “soft-launch” to test the site. But we are now open for any and all charities, organisations and individuals to add their voice – for free – to this growing, helping directory.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
Powered by BetterBond. Filmed at Primedia Studios.
Stories that matter. Conversations that count.

Sources: Good Things Guy | The Helpers 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

The post The Helpers is Live… And it Might Be the Most Important Thing We’ve Ever Built appeared first on Good Things Guy.

With a bit of planning and a realistic look at the calendar, 2026 offers some solid opportunities for South Africans to rest properly, and yes, we know that usually starts with an email to HR.

South Africa (04 January 2026) – Every year, around this time, the same thing happens. Calendars are opened. Public holidays are counted. Leave balances are quietly checked. And somewhere in an office in South Africa, a boss or an HR manager notices a sudden spike in “just checking if this works for you” emails landing in their inbox.

So before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room.

Yes, this is that article again. We’ve been publishing this article for 10 years now. So yes, we absolutely know what happens after it’s published. And yes, we’re aware that it tends to cause a little bit of national excitement, a few raised eyebrows and more than one internal conversation about “operational requirements”.

For that, we offer a very real apology.

But here’s the thing: we don’t publish this article to encourage people to dodge work or disappear for weeks on end. We write it because South Africans work hard, carry a lot and often forget that rest is not something you earn only once you’re completely exhausted. Time off matters. Proper breaks matter. And planning your leave well means you get those moments without putting unnecessary pressure on your team or yourself.

So with that said, apologies to bosses and HR teams across the country. And thank you too, because without you, none of this works.

Now, let’s talk about how 2026 actually shapes up.

The 2026 calendar isn’t overflowing with midweek “yay days” but if you look closely and plan ahead, it offers some really good opportunities to stretch your leave without burning through it all at once.

January: A Kind Start to the Year

New Year’s Day falls on Thursday, the 1st of January, which already sets things up nicely. But this article has been published on the 4th of January, so you’ve missed this opportunity. Jammer. For future reference: By taking Friday, the 2nd of January as leave, you could have created a 4 day break that gives you space to reset properly before the year really kicks in. It’s a small decision that makes a big difference, especially after the intensity that Dezemba tends to bring.

March: The Reality Check Month

Human Rights Day falls on Saturday, the 21st of March in 2026, which means there is no weekday public holiday and no sneaky long weekend to be found. No shifting to Monday. No calendar magic. Just a regular work month doing exactly what it says on the box.

April: The Month That Does the Heavy Lifting

April is where the calendar really starts working in your favour.

Good Friday falls on Friday, the 3rd of April, followed by Family Day on Monday, the 6th of April. Later in the month, Freedom Day lands on Monday, the 27th of April, and Workers’ Day follows shortly after on Friday, the 1st of May.

If you take leave from Tuesday, the 7th of April to Friday, the 10th of April, you can turn those public holidays into a 10 day break while using just 4 leave days. With a little extra planning, taking leave on Tuesday, the 28th, Wednesday, the 29th and Thursday, the 30th of April allows you to bridge Freedom Day and Workers’ Day into a 9 day break using only 3 days of leave.

This is the part of the article where HR teams usually pause, take a deep breath, and start updating shared calendars.

May: A Gentle Comedown After April

Workers’ Day falls on Friday, the 1st of May, which does give you a long weekend straight out the gate, but beyond that, May doesn’t offer much in the way of public holiday opportunities. Once that first weekend is done, it’s very much a normal working month.

June: A Smart Winter Pause

Youth Day falls on Tuesday, the 16th of June, which creates an easy opportunity for a longer break without much impact on your leave balance. Taking Monday, the 15th of June, as leave gives you 4 days off, which is perfect for a winter escape, a family visit, or simply catching up on rest you didn’t realise you needed.

August: A Long Weekend That Comes to You

National Women’s Day falls on Sunday, the 9th of August, which means the public holiday is observed on Monday, the 10th of August. That automatically gives you a long weekend, and if you add Friday, the 7th of August as leave, you can enjoy 4 days off with very little effort.

September: Spring Rewards Good Planning

Heritage Day lands on Thursday, the 24th of September, which makes it an ideal candidate for a strategic Friday off. Taking leave on Friday, the 25th of September, turns the break into 4 full days, just as the weather starts to warm up and South Africans collectively remember how good a braai tastes when the sun is out.

December: Festive Season, Thoughtfully Done

The Day of Reconciliation falls on Wednesday, the 16th of December, which sits right in the middle of the week and doesn’t immediately hand you a long break. But with a bit of planning, it can still work in your favour. Taking leave on Thursday, the 17th, and Friday, the 18th, of December allows you to turn that midweek public holiday into a good start to the festive season.

Christmas Day falls on Friday, the 25th of December, but because the Day of Goodwill lands on a Saturday, it doesn’t roll over to Monday. That means December isn’t quite as generous as it sometimes is but it still offers opportunities if you plan carefully. By taking leave from Monday, the 28th of December to Wednesday, the 30th of December, you can extend your festive break into early January 2027, creating 9 days off while using 3 leave days. It’s a calm, considered way to end the year without emptying your leave balance.

With a bit of forward planning, South Africans can turn their standard annual leave allocation into proper rest breaks throughout the year.  And yes, we know that means approval processes, scheduling conversations and the occasional spreadsheet that becomes more complex than anyone would like.

So once again, to bosses and HR teams everywhere, we’re sorry for the flurry of emails this article might cause. But we’re also grateful, because when people are rested, supported and trusted to plan well, workplaces are healthier and good things tend to follow.

And that, as always, is what we’re here for.

Happy holidays South Africa!

Source: South African Public Holidays 

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