Several little ones at Groote Schuur Hospital will now be nestled in the warmest, softest knits – each piece handmade with love and delivered in precious memory of Adele and Basil’s granddaughter.

Cape Town, South Africa (30 March 2026) – There is something deeply moving when the weight of something as difficult as loss brings people together to find ways to honour those they have loved and lost.

After Adele and Basil lost their precious granddaughter to a brave battle, they returned to the place of her final moments – not just to mourn, but to honour her memory by offering a gesture of extraordinary kindness

Adele and Basil recently visited the neonatal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital with a beautiful donation of handmade knitted items to bring comfort to little ones.

“Often, it’s the quietest acts of kindness that leave the deepest impact. This incredibly generous gesture was inspired by their own experience of loss, having said goodbye to their precious granddaughter here,” the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust shared in a post.

Basil, responding to that very post shared online, revealed that they lost their granddaughter two years ago on his and Adele’s wedding anniversary.

“So, visiting Groote Schuur hospital on 17 March this year was a “no-brainer” for us. The loss of our granddaughter will always be with us and in a bitter-sweet way, the PERFECT way to start off our anniversary this year.”

Basil assured that he and Adele both hope to continue supporting the hospital in future, for as long as they’re able to do so.

The nurses and staff were deeply moved and honoured by the heartfelt gift, which will make a meaningful difference and wrap several tiny tots in the warmest and softest knitted treasures.

“Thank you for turning your love into comfort for others. We are truly grateful.”

Sources: Linked Above

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

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

The post Adele and Basil’s Touching Tribute to Their Granddaughter Brings Warmth to Little Patients appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Lauretta Ngconozi walks into the halls of Groote Schuur Hospital every day not just to treat patients, but to give care, offer a listening ear and restore their hope.

Cape Town, South Africa (25 March 2026) – When life took Lauretta Ngcobozi on an unexpected journey of grief after losing her husband just one year into their marriage, she never imagined she would find her healing through her patients.

Becoming a nurse happened by chance when she started her career training as a caregiver.

“I was able to go and do my practical at Booth Memorial Hospital. The ward I was sent to was for patients receiving palliative care. Because of this, you do end up counselling the patients and their family members,” Lauretta reflects.

It was through comforting and conversing with her patients that she discovered a connection that poured into her cup as well.

“The pain I went through just pushed me to be close to other people who were also experiencing pain – I was really able to connect with the pain that the patients and their families were feeling,” she says.

Lauretta’s passion for caring and helping others was evident, leading to her employment at Booth Memorial Hospital. She was then presented with the opportunity to study to become a nurse in 2015.

“After that, I applied for a position at Groote Schuur Hospital and started there in 2016. I began in the Outpatient Clinics. I really enjoyed it because it was a new environment in a large institution, and I was exposed to many new things and learning how to deal with different people.”

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic changed her work environment, as many of the hospital’s clinics became non-operational. She ended up working in Groote Schuur’s G8 department, caring for oncology patients.

“I really love working here. There are times when it is hectic, but because I do it with love and passion, it makes a difference. Often, we have to counsel family members when the patients are very ill, and we often cry together because we grow close to the patients,” says Lauretta.

Looking back on her journey and how naturally she connects with her patients, Lauretta feels certain she was destined to be a nurse.

“I really am drawn to counselling, giving prayers to families, giving them hope.”

Even families who have sadly lost loved ones affirm that she has given them hope during their difficult times.

“When I help, I am not expecting anything; I am just doing it from my heart. I’d like to continue doing this work forever.”

Lauretta considers herself fortunate to practice at Groote Schuur and to touch lives the way she does. Though we suspect her patients and colleagues feel even luckier to have her!

Thank you, Lauretta, for everything you do and for spreading hope to those who need it most.

Heroes of Groote Schuur is a Facebook page dedicated to highlighting the amazing people who work or visit the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

The page is highlighting all the incredible working being done by the staff who keep everything running smoothly. Heroes featured on the page often have the most interesting jobs, especially now during the pandemic when so much was up in the air.

Sources: Heroes of Groote Schuur

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

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

The post Nursing Found Lauretta – Now She Finds Her Joy in Healing Others appeared first on Good Things Guy.

With a heart filled with gratitude, Nazeem Davids recently surprised his cardiac team (and every staff member who was part of his journey) at Groote Schuur with 40 thoughtful gift packs to celebrate his miraculous recovery and say thank you for the care that saved him.

Cape Town, South Africa (08 March 2026) – When Moeshfieka Botha’s husband, Nazeem Davids, faced a series of heart health scares that had them in and out of the hospital over the last few years, Moeshfieka admits there were several critical moments.

However, thanks to the dedication and expertise of the cardiac team at Groote Schuur Hospital, he has miraculously turned a corner.

“Those who know Nazeem’s story know that he has been in and out of Groote Schuur, and in particular, Cardiac ICU, over the last few years. It was touch and go a few times, but by the mercy of the Almighty, and the amazing GSH team – Alhamdulillah. He is all good right now,” Moeshfieka shares.

Feeling better than he has in a while, Nazeem dedicated his day yesterday to paying a visit to his cardiac team to thank them for providing him with the best healthcare during a very critical time.

He created 40, thoughtfully put-together gift packs to give to the nurses, the radiologists, the team in the cath lab, those who did his ultrasounds, the clerks and the cleaners – everyone who had been a part of his cardiac journey at Groote Schuur Hospital.

“While thanks and praise are always given to the heart surgeons and their surgical team (rightfully so) – those supporting the team and the patient, at every level, rarely get any recognition,” Moeshfieka explains.

If the smiles in the images shared from the special moment are anything to go by, we’d say the gesture was highly appreciated by the unsung heroes, especially because so many of the patients who enter their doors aren’t always able to come back to say “thank you”.

“The Cardiac/Cardiac ICU at Groote Schuur Hospital is world-class – and we are forever grateful to everyone there for their phenomenal work, their work ethic, their commitment and their kindness. They got not only my husband, but our family through some extremely difficult times. Our gratitude and appreciation are immense.”

The grateful couple further encouraged many others to consider extending kindness to healthcare professionals, especially those who go above and beyond in the often-stressful public health sector.

Sources: Moeshfieka Botha

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

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

The post Patient Returns to Groote Schuur with 40 Gifts of Gratitude appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Ayabonga and his gogo boarded a plane for the very first time this past weekend – marking an emotional trip that became an answered prayer and the critical first step toward accessing lifesaving specialist medical care at Groote Schuur Hospital.

Cape Town, South Africa (03 November 2025) – While some may experience their first flight as one that’s taken them to an adventure to an undiscovered part of the world, for young Ayabonga and his loving granny, theirs was also an answered prayer to access the healing they had been longing for.

This weekend, the grandson and grandmother took their very first flight from OR Tambo to Cape Town.

According to Wing and Wishes, who made this travel opportunity possible, the family hails from Piet Retief in Mpumalanga and is on a courageous journey as Ayabonga prepares to receive treatment at Groote Schuur Hospital – specialist medical treatment that wasn’t readily available in his hometown.

Thanks to Wings and Wishes’ partnerships with organisations and transport companies that share its vision of helping disadvantaged, ill children overcome barriers to accessing lifesaving healthcare, Ayabonga and his grandmother safely arrived in Cape Town. This brave little boy now has a fighting chance.

He is one of thousands of children that Wings and Wishes helps transport across provincial borders to reach the medical care that they require, like little Lisolethu, who recently travelled safely and comfortably from Frere Hospital to Red Cross Children’s Hospital for surgery for a congenital heart defect, as well as seven-year-old Bokamoso, who took a brave step on his journey to healing, flying to Cape Town for a 10-day treatment for Retinoblastoma at Groote Schuur Hospital.

Wings and Wishes also provides compassionate and professional assistance to these children and their families, ensuring they have immediate access to the essential medical services which they need, and which are not available to them at a local level.

From Ayabonga, who is preparing to begin his treatment, to Bokamoso, who is well within his, each little warrior’s journey is a heartwarming reminder of the strength of our children and the power of collective compassion to give every child the fighting chance they deserve.

Sources: Wings and Wishes

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

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

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Another amazing milestone for a government hospital that has a reputation for delivering incredible care. 

Cape Town, South Africa (22 September 2025) – Groote Schuur Hospital has opened an upgraded chemotherapy room and pharmacy, giving cancer patients a space that’s calmer, safer, and more comfortable while they undergo treatment.

The Oncology Department welcomes around 3,000 new patients every year, and overcrowding has long been a challenge. Now, thanks to an R5.2 million project funded by a mix of donors, staff, and community partners, patients will have more room and an improved environment as they face their treatment journeys.

The news is celebrated by patients like 36-year-old patient Duane Minder, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma after what he thought was simple back pain turned out to be far more serious. At one point, a tumour pressing on his spine left him unable to walk.

Emergency care and chemotherapy at Groote Schuur helped him get his mobility back.

“The doctors, nurses, and therapists here gave me my life back. I am so grateful for their care and for this new chemotherapy room, which will make the journey a little easier for every patient who comes here. It shows us that we are not alone, and that people care about what we are going through,” he says. 

The upgrades also include a pharmacy that now has modern systems to safely prepare chemotherapy drugs, making treatment smoother and safer for both staff and patients.

Support to make this happen came from many corners.

Wheel2Heal contributed R1 million and further backing was received from the Radiation Oncology Facilities Board Fund, the Groote Schuur Trust, hospital staff, and community donors.

“These contributions do not just build facilities – they open doors of hope and possibility for thousands of families across the Western Cape. Together, we are enhancing access to healthcare,” says Dr Shaheem De Vries, CEO of Groote Schuur Hospital.

Groote Schuur has a history of medical milestones, and this adds to that incredible list of good things. Next, the hospital is focused on its brand-new emergency centre expected to launch next year!

Sources: Linked above

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Groote Schuur gets a brand-new emergency centre next year, but there are some hurdles to get through first.

Cape Town, South Africa (08 September 2025) – Groote Schuur’s emergency unit has been bursting at the seams for years. The space is too small for the number of patients and the equipment has been pushed far beyond its lifespan.

Good Things readers will know that the Groote Schuur heroes have done amazing things in public health. Most recently, the hospital ran extra surgical lists throughout August to help women finally access tubal ligation procedures that, in some cases, have been delayed for years.

Before that, they went above and beyond the line of duty to clear a backlog of operations. 1500 of them to be exact.

And during the pandemic, they kept ventilators running. The life-saving unit absorbed the full weight of respiratory emergencies, and machines that were already old took the knock. Some cardiac monitors date back to 2006.

The hospital has been repairing, repurposing, and holding things together, but there’s no more room to stretch.

That’s why a new Emergency Centre is being built. It’s a once-in-a-generation project that will finally give patients and staff the space, dignity and care they deserve.

The project has been in the works for over a decade. Planning began in 2012, building started last year, and phase one has already been completed. Phase two, which includes the trauma and non-trauma sides, is now underway.

If all goes to plan, construction will wrap up by February 2026. The current trauma unit will then be turned into a radiology department for emergencies, and the non-trauma side into a specialist referral hub.

But as with all good things, there are hurdles to get through. The centre won’t be able to function without the right equipment, and right now, there isn’t enough money to buy what’s needed.

“To be functional, the Emergency Centre requires certain equipment. This includes things like the Lodox (X-ray imaging system), ultrasound machines, and cardiac monitors, all critical for the running of an emergency room. But even minor items, like patient trolleys, are critical,” explains Dr Annemarie Kropman, Head of the Emergency Unit.

“Unfortunately, we now know there isn’t enough money for the list of equipment required. It’s been quite a blow. So we have a funding gap, and a massive requirement to get support from the public and private sector for the items that will make the Emergency Centre function optimally.”

The team has kept things going with limited resources, but they are down to a single ultrasound machine being used for almost every patient who walks through the door. It isn’t sustainable.

The new Emergency Centre has the potential to transform care at one of the busiest and most reputable public hospitals in the country. But the doors can’t open properly until the equipment gap is closed.

Donations can be made through the Groote Schuur Trust.

Sources: Linked above

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

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This Women’s Month, Groote Schuur Hospital is reducing backlogs and helping women make informed decisions about their reproductive futures.

Cape Town, South Africa (21 August 2025)- For hundreds of women in Cape Town’s Metro West area, the wait for permanent family planning has been long and uncertain. This Women’s Month, Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) is taking bold steps to change that. Through the “Informed Choices for Healthy Futures” project, the hospital is running extra surgical lists throughout August to help women finally access tubal ligation procedures that, in some cases, have been delayed for years.

The initiative aims to operate on at least 60 women this month, prioritising those who have been waiting the longest. Procedures are scheduled as day cases, allowing women to receive timely care while easing the burden on inpatient beds. The project is a partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW) and receives essential support from the GSH Trust to fund nursing and anaesthesia staff.

“This project is about more than just reducing a waiting list,” says Dr Sadia Murray, Medical Manager in charge of Mother, Women and Child at Groote Schuur Hospital. 

Fittingly, the very first list was launched on Women’s Day, 9 August, with long-awaited procedures performed for women who had been on the waiting list the longest. 

“It’s about empowering women with the ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive futures. Launching the first list on Women’s Day is symbolic a reminder that access to healthcare is a fundamental part of gender equality,” says Dr Sadia Murray. 

Dr Shaheem de Vries, CEO of Groote Schuur Hospital and the WCDHW, has welcomed the project’s support, noting that partnerships like these help close gaps in an already stretched public health system.

“By reducing this backlog, we are not only improving individual health outcomes but also contributing to stronger families and more stable communities. Every woman who chooses permanent family planning and receives it without years of waiting is one more step toward a more equitable healthcare system.”

Located in Observatory, just minutes from the University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital is widely known for training some of South Africa’s top doctors and nurses. Internationally, it made history in 1967 when Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant. Today, the hospital continues that legacy by combining clinical excellence with initiatives like the Informed Choices for Healthy Futures project, putting women’s health and empowerment front and centre.

Sources: Supplied 

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

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Nursing was never part of the plan for Sheriffa Allens, but destiny clearly knew better. Now, 40 years after her first day at Groote Schuur Hospital, she admits she wouldn’t have it any other way!

Cape Town, South Africa (07 May 2025) – Sheriffa Allens grew up thinking she wanted to become a teacher, but her plans took a different direction when her uncle organised for her to get a nursing bursary – an unexpected path that led her to purpose and pouring into the lives of others.

Her nearly 40-year career at the Groote Schuur Hospital began in 1987. The hospital quickly became her second home, where she spent long shifts working in various wards and departments that connected her to patients from all walks of life. Working with children in the oncology ward significantly contributed to her nursing journey.

“One of the best parts of my job was when I worked with children in orthopaedics, and especially in oncology and the children who had osteosarcoma. I said to myself, ‘I want to walk this road with them, but I can’t do it without knowledge,’ and so I completed an oncology course so that I could be a better partner to them,” Sheriffa explained.

“I worked for many years in orthopaedics, and I loved working alongside the doctors, but eventually I felt that I’d learnt everything, and I needed a new challenge. That’s when I took up the management position in night duty.”

From 2010, Sheriffa worked night duty as an assistant manager, an opportunity she didn’t know she would enjoy as much as she did, with every night offering a different experience.

“What I also enjoyed about it was that I was close to the staff and close to the patients.”

After nearly four decades of caring for patients, Sheriffa retired last month, undoubtedly leaving her mark as a Groote Schuur Hospital hero who nursed countless lives back to good health.

Now, she eagerly looks forward to a new chapter, planning to channel her passion for helping others into community programmes for the disabled in Beaufort West.

Sources: Heroes of Groote Schuur

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

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Providing newborn bundles of joy with vital breastmilk when their mothers are unwell or struggling to produce their own, is all in a day’s work for Maudie Smith, a nurse has for 20 years helped countless babies have a healthy start to life.

Cape Town, South Africa (27 March 2025) – Our rainbow nation boasts a melting pot of incredible people and extraordinary heroes. We’re not referring to the cape-wearing kind but rather those who resemble everyday people like you and me, working silently in the background to touch lives in ways that truly matter.

In this story, we celebrate the heroes of Groote Schuur Hospital’s milk bank. One such heroine is Nurse Maudie Smith, who has dedicated 39 years to the hospital – 20 of which were mostly spent in the milk kitchen, where staff store expressed breastmilk.

While most of this milk goes to the moms’ own babies, some of the extra milk is donated to be used towards babies whose mothers cannot provide milk.

If you know anything about babies, you’ll know that breastmilk comes highly recommended, especially in the first six months of their lives. But in many cases, some mommies need a little support in making sure their little ones get all these nutrients.

“If the baby is too small or mommy’s sick, or mommy can’t get to the hospital, then that baby qualifies for the donor milk.

“We used to buy expressed milk for our babies, which was actually really expensive. But because of our efforts in encouraging moms who are here to donate their milk, we haven’t had to buy for the last three years,” shares Smith.

Smith explained that this has been made possible by the nurses in the maternity wards who talk to the moms, educating them about the importance of breastmilk, and encouraging them to donate their milk if they have extra.

“Once I get the milk it gets frozen. It gets defrosted and measured out as needed, but first gets pasturized and samples are sent off for testing before we feed it to the babies.”

Making sure babies are fed and cooing happily is all in a day’s work for Smith, and she absolutely adores it – making her pending retirement a rather bittersweet reality.

“I just love this job. I have a passion for it because it makes you feel good when you can help a little baby start the journey of life and see it go home healthy, because it’s had the right nutrition and help. I’m really going to miss it.”

Heroes of Groote Schuur is a Facebook page dedicated to highlighting the amazing people who work or visit the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

The page is highlighting all the incredible working being done by the staff who keep everything running smoothly. Heroes featured on the page often have the most interesting jobs, especially now during the pandemic when so much was up in the air.

Sources: Heroes of Groote Schuur

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

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Inspired by Project Flamingo, Christina Brazier chose to go beyond medical studies, connecting with cancer patients on a human level, offering empathy and support as they navigate uniquely difficult journeys.

Cape Town, South Africa (10 March 2025) – We’re all one decision away from doing something truly remarkable. When medical student, Christina Brazier, first heard about Project Flamingo, she knew it was a cause she had to be a part of to answer her calling to make a meaningful difference and impact people’s lives.

Project Flamingo is a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring equitable, timely, and holistic breast cancer care, particularly for vulnerable patients in the public healthcare sector. The initiative tackles surgical backlogs through Catch-up Surgery lists, provides emotional and nutritional support to patients undergoing treatment, and strengthens healthcare systems with additional resources, specialist funding, and advocacy efforts. Their work at hospitals like Groote Schuur Hospital not only improves access to life-saving surgeries but also offers patients dignity and hope during their cancer journey.

Beyond studying the medicine that saves lives, Christina also wanted to really touch the lives of cancer patients through compassionate interaction, seeing them as more than just patients to be attended to for treatment; they were real people undergoing trying times in need of encouraging reassurance.

“I had heard about Project Flamingo and always wanted to be part of something that could make a difference in someone’s life.

“Being on my first Flamingo surgery list was truly inspiring—it gave me a new perspective on what happens behind the scenes and the incredible teamwork that goes into ensuring each patient gets the care they need,” she shares.

Since joining Project Flamingo in November of last year, Christina has spent time in the wards of Groote Schuur Hospital – an experience that has provided her with valuable insights into resilience, gratitude, and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.

“I’ve learned that your attitude defines the course of your life. Everything we experience is temporary, and we should never take a day for granted—live in the moment.”

The aspiring doctor hopes to leave a lasting impression of kindness with every patient she encounters and to be remembered as someone who always strives to go above and beyond for those around her.

Project Flamingo expressed its gratitude to Christina, appreciating her for embodying the heart of Project Flamingo.

“Your compassion and commitment are what make this special,” Project Flamingo concludes.

Sources: Project Flamingo

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

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