Accomplishments
Photo Credit: Good Things Guy

South Africans have earned more than 200 wins, awards, and international accomplishments this year, and we couldn’t be prouder!

 

South Africa (09 December 2025) – Every year, we look back in awe at just how much South Africans achieve across the globe. 2025 is no different.

From boardrooms to sports fields, concert stages to classrooms, South Africans have been flying the flag high. Each win reminds us of the talent and heart that run through this country.

In business, local innovators and entrepreneurs have made waves: Waterfall City was crowned the world’s best masterplan, 14 South African entrepreneurs took home prestigious Forty Under 40 Africa Awards, and our brightest minds shone on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.

Education continued to inspire with teachers and initiatives being recognised globally, from a South African teacher honoured with a STEM Innovation Award to James Bloom’s literacy work winning an international prize for building libraries and bringing books to children.

Environmental champions kept our green flag flying, a South African garden scooped gold at Chelsea, local scientists were named among the world’s most impactful by both National Geographic and The Explorers Club, and a local NPO even found itself in the running for an Earthshot Prize.

Entertainment was dazzling too. Tyla not only surpassed a billion streams for Water but also hosted the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and was named Hello World’s Artist of the Year. Meanwhile, Leleti Khumalo and Anant Singh led South Africa to a historic win at the “Television Oscars,” and Wouter Kellerman added another Grammy to his shelf.

In lifestyle and food, our wine and whisky kept pouring in global praise, chefs collected Michelin accolades, Cape Town restaurants ranked among the best in the world, and a South African photographer gained worldwide acclaim for capturing the perfect penguin moment.

Sports, as always, delivered goosebumps. Prudence Sekgodiso claimed South Africa’s first women’s world indoor gold in China, Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC title, our 4x400m relay team stormed home with gold, and the Proteas made history as World Test Champions. On top of that, Rayno Nel became Africa’s first-ever World’s Strongest Man, and Springbok Women powered to an African Championship victory.

Across people and places, the wins kept stacking up. Former Miss South Africa Shudu Musida became a UNFPA Global Champion for Women and Girls, 14-year-old Caleb Swart stunned the world as a chess master, and Cape Town reclaimed its crown as the world’s best city. Even our words and accents got their moment, with “yoh” entering the Oxford Dictionary and South Africa’s accent once again voted one of the world’s sexiest.

These stories are just a glimpse of what South Africans achieved this year, each one worth celebrating, each one a reminder of our resilience and brilliance.

Here’s to every South African who made 2025 a year of pride.

Business

  • DKMS Africa Get Major Nod At The Marketing Achievement Awards. Read more here.
  • South Africa’s Waterfall City Wins World’s Best Masterplan. Read the story here.
  • South African Company Create World’s Best Hotel Restaurant Interior! Read the story here.
  • 14 South African Entrepreneurs Win Prestigious Forty Under 40 Africa Awards! Read more here.
  • Celebrating South Africa’s Brightest on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 List. Read more here.
  • Cape Flats Water Plant Wins Top International Architecture Honours. Read more here.
  • South Africans Rank #1 As World’s Most Entrepreneurial Nation. Read the story here.
Forty Under Africa 40
Photo Credit: Forty Under 40 Africa

Education

  • Local Education Initiative Wins UN-Affiliated Award! Read the story here.
  • Two Remarkable Women Honoured by UJ for Changing Lives and Inspiring Generations. Read more here.
  • James Bloom Wins Literacy Foundation Award For Building Libraries and Bringing Books To SA Kids! Read the story here.
  • South African Platform For Neurodivergent Children Wins Global Award. Read more here.
  • South African Teacher Honoured With Global STEM Innovation Award! Read more here.
  • Linden Library Assistant Honoured on World Stage for Greener Library Concept. Read more here.
  • South African-Born Professor Makes History as UK’s First Female Astronomer Royal. Read more here.
  • SA’s Himla Soodyall Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more here.
  • South African Professor Makes Time Magazine List of AI Leaders. Read the story here.
  • Pretoria Music Teacher Receives Global Recognition for Contribution to Grammy-Award-Winning Album. Read more here.
  • ⁠SA’s Legendary Poet Antjie Krog Granted Honorary Doctoral Degree. Read her story here.
  • SA Triumphs at Global Engineering Communication Competition. Read the story here.
  • UP Researchers Earn Global Recognition with Breakthrough Physics Prize. Read the story here.
  • Mila and Alexandra Papanicolaou Win Gold at the MindHack 2025. Read the story here.
  • 11 South Africans Recognised Among World’s Most Influential Scientists. Read more here.
  • 3 SA Schools Win Global Robotics Titles in Inspired Builds Robotics Competition. Read more here.
  • Eight Students at South African Universities Named Google PhD Fellows. Read the story here.
South African teacher
Photo Credit: CITRIS / Pexels

Environment

  • South Africa’s Garden Wins ‘Grand Gold’ at Flower Show! Read the story here.
  • The New York Times’ Must-See Gardens List Includes a South African Gem! Read the story here.
  • South Africa Strikes Gold Again at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Read more here.
  • SA Scientist Honoured Among “50 People Changing the World” by The Explorers Club. Read more here.
  • SA Scientist Named National Geographic Explorer for Groundbreaking Fossil Research. Read the story here.
  • South African NPO Nominated for a 2025 Earthshot Prize. Read more here.
  • SA Scientist Plays Role in Finding Oldest Dome-Headed Dinosaur Ever Unearthed. Read the story here.
  • EcoTraining Honoured at Global Youth Travel Awards for Shaping Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders. Read the story here.
  • Local Project Wins International Award for Conservation of Tiny Tradouw Redfin. Read more here.
  • Walker Bay Nature Reserve Earns National Green Coast Award. Read more here
  • ⁠SA Records Most Observations in Africa for Great Southern BioBlitz. Read more here.
  • SA Project Depicting Life 255 Million Years Ago Wins Top International Award. Read more here.
  • Woman Behind Helderberg Bokashi Initiative Wins National Award. Read more here.
  • Dr John Kani Awarded WWF Living Planet Award. Read more here.
Photo Credit: Leon Kluge

Entertainment

  • Short Film ‘The Last Ranger’ Scoops Oscar Nomination! Read the story here.
  • South African Charity’s Short Film Wins Award for International Impact in London! Read the story here.
  • Local Film, Global Impact: Venda Movie Claims International Award! Read the story here.
  • South African Designers Gave the Met Gala Extra Flair. Read the story here.
  • Tyla is Hosting the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards! Read more here.
  • Zoalize’s Protea-Inspired Dress Wins World Designer Award at Miss World! Read more here.
  • Leleti Khumalo and Anant Singh Lead SA to Historic Win at “Television Oscars”. Read the story here.
  • From Cape Town to Cannes: South African Documentary Takes Top Honour at Cannes Indie Short Festival. Read more here.
  • ‘Caleb: Beyond the Bite’ Wins Gold at International Tourism Film Festival Africa! Read more here.
  • Stellenbosch University Choir Dominates in Denmark with 3 Golds. Read the story here.
  • SA Producer Robert Ford’s “Super/Man” Doccie Redefines Heroism, Earning Emmy Nominations! Read his story here.
  • Cape Town Performer Smashes Global Competition, Earns New York Scholarship! Read the story here.
  • South Africa Makes History with Record International Emmy® Nominations. Read more here.
  • A South African Film Has Been Selected For Entry Into Next Year’s Oscars! Read more here.
  • Homegrown Film Premieres At One of the Most Prestigious Film Festivals in the World! Read more here.
  • SA Film Starring Legendary Tobie Cronje Wins Big at International Film Festival. Read the story here.
  • Kulu’s Journey Scoops Best Documentary at SA’s Film and TV Awards! Read more here.
  • Two of SA’s International Stars Nominated for Grammy Awards. Read more here.
  • Leleti Khumalo Celebrates Becoming a Legend with Prestigious Award for Performing Excellence. Read more here.
Photo Credit: Miss World via Facebook

Lifestyle

  • South African Photographer Wins Global Acclaim with Breathtaking Penguin Shot. Read more here.
  • South African-born Chef Wins Michelin’s Young Chef Award. Read her story here.
  • SA’s Culinary Elite Sizzle at 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards. Read more here.
  • In Celebrating World Whisky Day, An SA Brand Named World’s Best Blended Whisky. Read the story here.
  • South African Olive Oil Awarded Amongst World’s Best. Read more here.
  • SA’s Sizzling Success: Two Local Steak Spots Named Among World’s Best! Read the story here.
  • Tretchikoff and Dumas: A Double Victory for South African Art on the World Stage. Read the story here.
  • Blaauwklippen Raises the Bar as Best Heritage Wine Estate in the World. Read the story here.
  • Best Book in The World! SA’s Favourite Cookbook Queen Brings Home Another Global Title. Read the story here.
  • Three Cape Town Restaurants Named Among the World’s Best in 2025! Read the story here.
  • Local Winemaker Johan Jordaan Named Global Chenin Blanc Master Winemaker. Read the story here.
  • Cheers to Big Wins! SA Wine Earns 2 Trophies at 2025 International Wine Challenge. Read the story here.
  • Glasses Keep Clinking, Another Win in SA’s Wine World, This Time a Local Best! Read the story here.
  • South Africa Dominates 2025 African Beer Cup with Record Wins. Read the story here.
  • SA’s Leah van Deventer Earns Place on BarWorld 100 List. Read her story here.
  • Siba Mtongana Cooks Up Global Acclaim, Named Top 20 Trailblazer at Canadian Global Awards! Read the story here.
  • Alexander Fahrenheim Puts SA Mixology on the Global Map. Read the story here.
  • Upington Artist Becomes First Northern-Caper to Win 2025 Portrait Award! Read the story here.
  • Two Cape Town Restaurants Named Africa’s ‘Best of the Best’ in Fine Dining. Read the story here.
  • Chef Zanté Neethling’s Khoi-Inspired Dish Nabs Prestigious Award for Sustainable Cooking! Read the story here.
  • Cape Town Restaurant Claims ‘Africa’s Best’ at World Culinary Awards. Read the story here.
  • Healthy Glug of International Gold for SA’s Olive Oils in 2025! Read more here.
  • South African Cookbook Crowned Best in the World… Again! Read more here.
Werner De Kock | South African Photographer Wins Global Acclaim with Breathtaking Penguin Shot
Photo Credit: Werner De Kock, South Africa, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2025

Medical

  • SA Professor Wins Global Award for Revolutionising Hearing Care. Read more here.
  • SA’s First Robotic Kidney Donor Surgery Successfully Performed in Cape Town. Read more here.
  • Dr Sibisi-Maboye Shines as 1st African Winner of Prestigious Paediatric Dentistry Award. Read more here.

Music

  • Wouter Kellerman Adds Another Grammy to His Tally! Read the story here.
  • Local Music Education Platform Wins International Accolade! Read the story here.
  • Tyla Surpasses One Billion Streams for ‘Water’; Becomes First African Solo Artist to Do So! Read the story here.
  • Tyla Takes Another Triumph: Hello World Artist of the Year! Read more here.
  • South African Band Wins Wacken; Prepares for Global Takeover. Read more here.
  • Lusanda Makes History with South Africa’s 1st Spotify Single! Read her story here.
  • Mzansi Youth Choir Golden Buzzer Moment Named One of the Greatest in AGT History. Read more here.
  • Cape Town Breaks World Record with the Biggest Marimba Ensemble Ever! Read more here.
  • SA Flautist Khanyisile Mthetwa Honoured at Petrichor International Music Competition. Read more here.
  • Pretoria Youth Choir Wins International Gold for ELECTRIFYING Performance! Read the story here.
Mzansi Youth Choir Golden Buzzer Moment Named One of the Greatest in AGT History
Photo Credit: America’s Got Talent | Supplied

People

  • “Order of the British Empire” Awarded to 2 South Africans! Read the story here.
  • Kirsten Neuschäfer Honoured with The Duchess of Kent Trophy. Read her story here.
  • Tshego Gaelae Becomes The 1st South African to Win Mrs World In 9 Years! Read the story here.
  • Former Miss SA Shudu Musida Named UNFPA Global Champion for Women and Girls! Read the story here.
  • 14-Year-Old Caleb Becomes International Master of Chess! Read the story here.
  • Limpopo’s Own Pearl Mathebula Crowned Miss Teen Model International 2025! Read the story here.
  • South African Wins Global Photography Prize with Heartbreaking Tribute. Read his story here.
  • Bianca Edwards is The New “Royal International Miss”. Read her story here.
  • SA’s Doron Claxton Rolls into Backgammon History. Read the story here.
  • SA’s Heilie Uys Enters the World Transplant Games Hall of Fame. Read the story here.
  • SA’s Sandile Gama Named 2nd Runner Up at Mister Cosmopolitan. Read his story here.
  • South Africa’s Dr Zanele Ntshidi Shines at Global Irrigation Forum. Read her story here.
  • South African Trailblazer Perri King Honoured for Building a Braver, More Inclusive Future. Read the story here.
  • South Africa’s Wim van den Heever Just Won the ‘Oscar’ of Wildlife Photography! Read more here.
  • SA’s Nellie Fischer Wins Best Female Cheese Maker at World Cheese Awards. Read the story here.
  • SA-Born Marlene Dumas Becomes First Contemporary Woman Artist in Louvre’s Permanent Collection. Read the story here.
  • SA’s Shannon Russell Breaks World Altitude Record for Women in Sling TSI. Read the story here.
  • Andre Did It! Pretoria Hairdresser Breaks Guinness World Record for Good. Read the story here.
Kirsten Neuschäfer
Kirsten Neuschäfer reflects on her 2022 Globe Race win at Point Yacht Club – Photo Credit: Rogan Ward Images

Sports

  • Global Kiteboarding Awards Hits Cape Town Today For The 1st Time Ever! Read the story here.
  • SA Junior Aces Serve Gold in Namibia! Read the story here.
  • Lifesaving Star Kendra du Toit Breaks Records and Inspires at 21. Read the story here.
  • Dricus Du Plessis Defends His Throne – Still the UFC Champion! Read the story here.
  • SA Team “Amagombinyoni” Return with Top Honours from International Blind Football Tournament. Read more here.
  • Yusrah Du Toit Dominates Western Cape Aquatics Championships with 3 Gold Medals! Read more here.
  • South African Rider Ruche Moodley Makes History, Joining Moto3 Championship. Read more here.
  • Mzansi Celebrates Prudence Sekgodiso! Wins SA’s 1st Women’s World Indoor Gold in China. Read the story here.
  • Capetonian Sailor to Lead Crew Around the World for Clipper Race! Read the story here.
  • Rising Star Kyle Armdorf Secures Victory for South Africa at President’s Cup Regatta! Read his story here.
  • South African Robotics Team Leaves Global Mark at World Championships! Read the story here.
  • South African Gymnast Duo Scoop Silver at African Champs. Read more here.
  • Kira Bester Claims 3 Wins Across 3 Oceans in 7 Days. Read the story here.
  • South Africa’s 4x400m Dream Team Bring Home Gold. Read the story here.
  • Ryan Sandes Completes Toughest Race Yet, Earning Second Place, Too! Read his story here.
  • 4x400m, 1 Bronze Medal And A Whole Lot of South African Heart. Read the story here.
  • Watch: Simbine Leads South Africa to World Relay Glory. Read the story here.
  • Caleb Swart Dominates at African MMA Champs, Bringing Home Gold for SA! Read the story here.
  • “We did that!” Reyaan Traut Clinches Gold at the African Track Champs. Read the story here.
  • Rayno Nel Crowned World’s Strongest Man… Africa’s First Ever Champion. Read more here.
  • Local Talent Leads the Charge at South African Safari Rally. Read the story here.
  • Mthi Mthimkulu Shares Insights into Record-Breaking SA Relay Triumph in China! Read more here.
  • Jordy Smith Does It Again With His Second Win of the Season. Read more here.
  • Zakithi Nene Storms To Victory In Under 44 Seconds, Sets New World-Leading Time! Read more here.
  • Nikki Caromba Conquers World’s Toughest Mudder for 2nd Year Straight! Read the story here.
  • Naveen Daries Grabs Silver at Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Uzbekistan! Read the story here.
  • Catherine Stefanutti: SA’s 1st Female Triple Crown Swimmer Conquers Icy Waters and Makes History! Read the story here.
  • Zain Potts Shines as World Karate Silver Medalist! Read his story here.
  • Springbok Women Crowned African Champs with Commanding Victory. Read the story here.
  • Proteas Make History! South Africa Crowned World Test Champions. Read the story here.
  • SA’s Thomas van Tonder Won The Inaugural Red Bull Rancher Strong. Read the story here.
  • Kgothatso Montjane Claims 4th Grand Slam, Donald Ramphadi Takes 2nd at Roland Garros. Read more here.
  • South African Brothers Crowned Champions in World’s Top Hockey League. Read the story here.
  • Rodney Moses Didn’t Just Earn Gold for SA, He Earned 2 Golds! Read his story here.
  • Lauren Terras and Roelof Kotze Earn Places at World Deaf Rugby. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Dances into the Global Top 4 at World Cup Finals. Read more here.
  • Luke Thompsson’s Historic Ballito Pro Win Ignites National Pride! Read more here.
  • South African Netball Team Crowned World Champions in Historic Win. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Shines at U17 Pentathlon World Championships. Read the story here.
  • Coetzé Claims Gold as Team SA Shines at World Champs. Read the story here.
  • SA Bags 19 Medals at the FISU World University Games. Read more here.
  • Jessica Harcus Strikes Gold at Lifesaving Championship. Read her story here.
  • SA Dominates Again at African U18 and U20 Champs. Read more here.
  • Alexia Easom Glides to Double Gold. Read her story here.
  • South African Fly Fishing Teams Reel in Bronze. Read the story here.
  • Junior Springboks Crowned World Champions After 13-Year Wait. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Strikes Gold in World Karate Debut! Read more here.
  • Craig Bouwer Makes History with Gold at Commonwealth Debut. Read his story here.
  • South African Water Polo Youngsters Strike Gold in Spain. Read more here.
  • South African Dancers Earned 57 Medals in Spain This Past Week… And Counting! Read more here.
  • SA’s MMA Brings Five Medals from IMMAF World Championships. Read the story here.
  • SA Claim Bronze in Mixed U20 Clash at Atlantic Youth Touch Cup. Read more here.
  • South Africa Secures Four Medals in Singapore. Read more here.
  • Matthew Hörter Comes in Hot with Podium Finish at Tour of Assen. Read more here.
  • Hamish Lovemore Bags Two Medals for SA at World Games! Read the story here.
  • South Africa’s Young Tennis Stars Shine in Mozambique. Read the story here.
  • Saood Variawa Claims First Rally-Raid Win at Vaal 400. Read more here.
  • Jeandré Makes Splash at World Transplant Games with Gold Win. Read the story here.
  • Kris Mihaylov Strikes Gold as SA Juniors Shine in Otopeni. Read the story here.
  • SA’s Sibusiso Kubheka Breaks Barriers with 100km World Record Run. Read more here.
  • Minke Leads SA to World Record Glory at Virtus Championships. Read more here.
  • Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships Mark Proud Moment for SA. Read the story here.
  • Hamish Lovemore Keeps South African Paddling on the Podium. Read more here.
  • South Africa’s Jordy Smith Set for Historic Title Shot at WSL Finals. Read more here.
  • From Playground Fun to World Stage Glory, SA Tug-of-War Ladies Win Silver. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Shines at the Homeless World Cup. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Celebrates Four Medals at Canoe Marathon Worlds. Read more here.
  • SA Makes History with Bronze at UCI Mountain Bike World Championship. Read more here.
  • South Africa’s Young Para Swimmers Make Golden Return. Read more here.
  • JJ Wallis Claims Gold in Target Strike at World Wingsuit League. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Strikes Bronze in Tokyo! Read the story here.
  • South African Aerialists Fly High in Italy, Bringing Home Gold and Glory. Read more here.
  • South Africa Triumphs at Euro Division C Wheelchair Rugby Championships. Read more here.
  • Bafana Bafana Secure Their Spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Makes History with First-Ever Eisenhower Trophy Win. Read the story here.
  • Maxime Chaumeton Smashes SA 10km Record in Romania. Read more here.
  • Kickboxing Star Claims Multiple Medals for South Africa. Read more here.
  • SA’s Bradley Carnell and Olwethu Makhanya Help Philadelphia Union Claim MSL Supporters Shield. Read more here.
  • Double Gold for Team SA at World Para Athletics Championships. Read more here.
  • South African Masters Wrestlers Defy Age to Shine on World Stage. Read more here.
  • Sheryl James wins SA’s First Medal in New Delhi. Read her story here.
  • South African Athletes Shine on the Global Triathlon Stage. Read the story here.
Watch: Simbine Leads South Africa to World Relay Glory
Photo Credit: Team South Africa | Department of Arts & Entertainment
  • South African Tap Dancers Shine on the World Stage in Prague. Read their story here.
  • Marsha Muller Becomes First SA Woman to Break 200km in 24 Hours. Read her story here.
  • South Africa Secures Silver at Rushmoor Rose Bowl International. Read the story here.
  • Joburg’s Own Etienne Dreyer Glides Into Global Figure Skating History. Read the story here.
  • Adriaan Wildschutt Sets SA Half Marathon Record on Valencia Debut. Read the story here.
  • Team SA Makes a Splash in Kenya, Bringing Home Top Honours! Read the story here.
  • Team SA Makes Waves at Africa Aquatics Junior & Senior Open Water Championships. Read the story here.
  • South Africa’s Pride: Martin Van Wyk Becomes World Champion in France. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Make History with Test Series Win in India. Read the story here.
  • Team SA Makes Waves at the Belarus Swimming Cup 2025. Read more here.
  • SA’s Bradley Carnell Named MLS Coach of the Year After Spectacular Debut Season. Read more here.
  • Malcolm Marx Named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year. Read the story here.
  • Rayno Nel Makes History Again, SA’s Strongman Reigns Supreme. Read the story here.
  • South Africa’s Doubles Duo Shine at the Zambian International Series. Read the story here.
  • Matthew Bosch Makes History for South Africa at Trampoline World Championships. Read the story here.
  • SA Skins Swimmers Make History Completing Cape Triple Crown. Read more here.
  • SA’s Lenerd van Schalkwyk Takes Silver at the Great British Wrestling Grand Prix. Read more here.
  • Proteas and India Make ICC Women’s World Cup Final History. Read more here.
  • South Africa Seal Double Glory at Africa Netball Cup 2025. Read the story here.
  • SA Athletes Light Up Africa’s First World Pole Art Championship. Read the story here.
  • Steyn City Welcomes Elite Nations Cup Showjumping and Team Claims Gold. Read more here.
  • SA Secure a Big Win Over Canada in FIH Hockey Mens Junior World Cup 2025. Read more here.
  • Silver Success! Jana van Staden Claims Podium Finish in Brno. Read more here.
  • Julian Karp Ran His 1000th Marathon at the Soweto Marathon. Read more here.

Travel

  • Cape Town Back on Top as the World’s Best City Per Time Out List! Read the story here.
  • Cape Town Ranks as One of the Best Cities For Digital Nomads. Read the story here.
  • Mother City Deemed Best Long-Haul City Break in the World! Read more here.
  • Two South African Coffee Shops Named Among World’s Best! Read more here.
  • South Africa Just Made a Global Top 3 List… And We’re Here for It! Read more here.
  • Cape Town Named One of the Most LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities in the World 2025. Read the story here.
  • South African Beach Lodge Wins at 2025 World Travel Awards. Read the story here.
  • South Africa’s Travel Gems Recognised on Global Stage. Read the story here.
  • Boulders Beach Makes the World’s Top 50 Beaches, Penguins Included (of course). Read more here.
  • Mother City Named Best City in the World for 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards. Read more here.
  • Cape Town Sails into the World’s Top 15 Most Beautiful Cruise Ports. Read the story here.
  • Linden Recognised as One of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods! Read more here.
  • Kruger National Park Ranked the World’s Most Instagrammable Safari Destination. Read more here.
  • Cape Town Named the 3rd Happiest City in the World!!! Read the story here.
  • Six Cape Vineyards Ranked Among the World’s Best! Read the story here.
  • South Africa Ranks 6th “Best Country to Visit in Your Lifetime”. Read more here.
  • Kruger Gem Claims Spot in Lonely Planet’s 25 Best Experiences for 2026. Read more here.
  • Mother City Scoops Another International ‘Best City’ Award! Read more here.
  • 3 South African Cities Named Among Africa’s Best in 2025 Ranking. Read more here.
V&A Waterfront | cape town harbour
Photo Cred: On File | Supplied

Other

  • ‘Yoh’ and Several Other SA Words Join the Oxford Dictionary! Read more here.
  • SA’s Accent Voted The 2nd Sexiest In The World (Again). Read more here.
  • SA’s Most Agile Pooches Set To Shine in Sweden for World Championships. Read the story here.
  • KZN’s Made for More Honoured at SA Sport Awards. Read the story here.
  • South Africa Ranked the Most Generous Nation on Earth. Read more here.
Heritage Lekker StatsSA Accents Dictionary ecoBrick Hall of fame Team SA South Africa Flag
Photo Cred: Supplied | On File

As always, it is tricky to list every single accomplishment, but we like a challenge, so we decided to sift through all the stories featured on Good Things Guy this year and put them into one giant list. And with your help – in case we missed a few – we might be able to create a complete list!

So if you see something missing or believe that someone belongs on this list, please email us at stories@goodthingsguy.com.


Sources: Various – Linked Above
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.

 

About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is the Editor for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader, gardener, bird watcher and loves to escape to the Kruger National Park.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *