‘There are moments when you’re carrying everything on your own and feel like you’re running out of options…and then suddenly people show up for you in ways you didn’t expect.’

Johannesburg, South Africa (27 March 2026) – Last week, Rosie made a post on Facebook. A humbling one.

She had managed to gather enough to buy her daughter a dress and a pair of shoes for her matric dance, but was battling to cover the rest.

Vulnerability isn’t easy, but for the sake of making her daughter’s day a special one, she placed her hope in kindness and turned to the people in her community.

All that was needed to make her daughter’s dream night complete was transport to and from the venue and make-up. With just days to go before the farewell, she humbled herself.

“I’ve tried my best but I’ve come up short, so I’m putting my pride aside and asking for help,” she wrote in her neighbourhood Facebook group. “I truly just want to make her dream of attending her matric dance come true.”

The Randburg community saw a mother desperate for help and didn’t hesitate. Rosie says she’ll never forget the incredible wave of kindness that followed.

“After I put the call out, people from the Randburg community reached out offering all kinds of help. Some donated money, others offered make-up and other items, and one woman arranged an Uber Black to get her to the venue and back.”

People gave what they could, whether big or small. Enough to make a young lady’s dream night a reality.

That kindness extended to Rosie as well. People recognised the vulnerability she had shown, the guilt of not wanting to disappoint her child, while knowing she couldn’t do it all alone.

“There were messages of encouragement and kindness that really carried me through that time,” Rosie says.

It hasn’t been an easy three years. After suffering a stroke in 2023, Rosie has had to adjust to life with a disability, unable to earn a proper income.

“I needed just this one moment of happiness for my child,” she says. “As a mother, the kindness we received was overwhelming in the best way. There are moments where you carry everything on your own and feel like you’re running out of options – and then suddenly people show up for you in ways you didn’t expect. It reminded me that I’m not alone, even in my most difficult moments.”

She says her daughter’s matric dance was everything she had hoped for and more. For one night, she was able to be a young lady celebrating a big milestone without a worry in the world.

“Watching her smile, seeing her feel beautiful and appreciated. That alone made everything worth it,” she says. “It also showed her that there is still kindness in the world, that people can come together for you even if they don’t know you personally. That kind of lesson stays with a child.”

Later, Rosie returned to that same Facebook group, this time to share her gratitude for the strangers who had shown up for them.

“I watched her smile with so much joy that night…and I know it’s because of all of you. I will never forget what you’ve done for us,” she wrote.

Sources: GTG Interview. 

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 Community’s Incredible Kindness Helps Struggling Mother Give Daughter a Matric Farewell appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Hope has taken the wheel for Sandy and her faithful H1 minibus.

South Africa (26 March 2026) – Being a single mom since the age of 30, Sandy has spent her adult life working to stay two steps ahead of the curveballs. Even while navigating her own challenges, she has been the helper others turn to, the person who shows up when it matters.

“I can’t drive past a person running in the road to somewhere, or see a person in the pouring rain, cursing those with cars, I have to stop and pick them up. My desire to help surpasses any other thought.” she says. “If a friend is in need, I am there. If my family call for help, I am there. I offer solutions, I am the solution, I just help. I will be by your side and I have no clue what drives that side of me, except that its in my blood.”

Her passion and her lifeline for supporting her family are guiding her. For years, her loyal minibus has carried her and her guests through the Kruger, the Panorama Route, Pilanesberg, Soweto and the surrounding Gauteng areas.

It all began when she started taking international volunteers who worked at her brother’s vervet monkey rehabilitation centre around the Kruger. After discovering her passion for sharing the beauty of our natural world with others, she qualified as an FGASA nature guide and launched her tour business.

“I love the child-like, raw innocence of international or first-time visitors to the Kruger, watching their emotional joy when they see their favourite wild animal in real life for the first time. If I could be in the park all day every day, showing guests not only the beauty of the park but teaching them about the animals and nature, I would,” she shares.

Being able to earn a living doing something she genuinely enjoys means everything, especially as a single mom. But late last year, the minibus she relies on for all her tours gave in after ongoing issues.

“In December it decided it was the end of the road. I had it towed from Polokwane…I will need to refurb the engine or buy a new one – or send my loyal H1 to a metal graveyard.”

Without a working vehicle, earning enough to fix or replace it becomes incredibly difficult. Being a provider, Sandy has had to find ways to keep going.

“Whilst I made good profit in November and December after a very busy season and was seeing the light at the end of the creditors tunnel, I have had to hire a mini-van three times in the last three months… Any profit I had has gone to rentals.”

Losing something so closely tied to your livelihood isn’t easy, and asking for help isn’t either, but she has since launched a Thundafund campaign to help close the gap. It’s a last resort, but her wheels have now been out of action for months.

“I have swallowed humble pie more times than I can count and setting up this Thundafund account has been one of those instances.” she says. “But you need to whatever you can to make things happen even if sometimes you need to go cap in hand.”

So far, the campaign has raised R27,919 from 16 backers – many of whom have experienced Sandy’s tours.

‘No one deserves this more!’ wrote one donor in support. ‘You are amazing at storytelling & we need you to continue doing what you are amazing at doing!’ shared another. ‘You always give so much of yourself, unconditionally, – it’s time it comes back to you.’ 

The support has been a ray of light for Sandy, but with the cost for repairs set at R220,000 and only 16 days left on the campaign, there’s still a way to go. Hope has taken the wheel as she holds onto something South Africans understand deeply. That kindness, or Ubuntu, has a way of carrying us through.

“Sometimes the little guy needs a little help. If we each, in our own small way, can help one person, whether it be a small act of kindness or help over a boulder in the path, then we should. Not because we expect anything in return, but because it makes us a better person and gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that we made another person’s life a little better.”

If you’d like to support Sandy and help get her back on the road, you can find her campaign here.

“Getting the wheels turning again would help me get back to being the Proudly South African tour guide who brags about all the positives our wonderful country has to offer.” says Sandy.

Sources: GTG Interview.

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 Sandy Needs Help to Get the Wheels of Her Minibus Turning Again appeared first on Good Things Guy.

While the Craig View Veterinary Clinic team has been busy counting boxes to reach its 4,000-goal, a young boy with a single box and a massive smile reminded them that the heart of this drive isn’t found in the final tally, but in the simple joy of giving!

East Rand, South Africa (26 March 2026) – Every year, since 2018, the Craig View Veterinary Clinic have played Easter Bunny to various charities and people in need; delivering thousands of eggs and unexpected kindness to those who otherwise might not have had an Easter surprise.

This is all made possible by the kindness of the greater community, who generously donate boxes upon boxes of chocolate mallow eggs to the clinic from as early as February, leading up to Easter.

The initiative and support for it have grown tremendously over the years, and so too has the target. This year, the Craig View Veterinary Clinic is aiming to collect 4,000 boxes and local businesses, organisations, and everyday people moved to support the cause have been bringing in the boxes daily!

While the support has been incredible, the clinic has yet to reach the halfway mark of 2,000 boxes. And although it can be easy to focus on tallying numbers and hitting targets, one young boy’s donation this week served as a reminder of the point of it all.

Walking in with just a single box of Easter eggs and the biggest smile, Thrain Panayi’s innocence and genuine joy in contributing to something special warmed the team’s hearts.

“Dr Ross was talking earlier about how tough things have been financially, and then this young man walked in with the biggest smile, standing next to Dr Nnaishi… and suddenly our whole perspective changed. Moments like these remind us: If we all just gave what we could, the world would be a very different place.”

And what a beautiful perspective that is. That it isn’t always who gives the most, but that we are able to give at all.

Craig View Veterinary Clinic Founder, Dr Clifford Bull, has also kept spirits high and hopeful, assuring his hardworking team that they need not worry about how many boxes they still need to go, because he truly believes the eggs are going to start coming in at a rapid pace in no time.

“To every kind person who has donated, we want to give each of you the chance to be properly seen and celebrated. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Every egg, every smile, every act of kindness matters more than you know,” Craig View Veterinary Clinic thanked.

Sources: Craig View Veterinary Clinic

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 Boy’s Easter Egg Donation Reminds the Craig View Vet Clinic of the True Meaning of Giving appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Despite the lack of electricity and the ticking clock, this school community worked against the odds to give their retiring principal her flowers and a send-off that truly reflected her impact on every one of them.

Johannesburg, South Africa (23 March 2026) – Few things melt the heart like a sincere send-off for an educator; it’s a beautiful reminder of the profound impact they have on young lives.

A now-trending video of a Johannesburg school community coming together to surprise their retiring principal has left the internet, and us, both smiling and sniffling.

Shared on TikTok by primary teacher Amanda Mncube, the footage captures an emotional morning where teamwork triumphed over obstacles. Despite having very little time and no electricity, the staff joined forces to honour their principal with a truly special guard of honour.

Working like a team on a mission, they put together decorations, balloons, snack platters and a farewell sign at the gate before the principal, Mrs Munsami, arrived. Her children also arrived to make the occasion extra special.

As soon as the school got confirmation that she was arriving, the learner councillors stood in a line at the gate, each holding flowers, ready to receive her.

And then the moment arrived. Mrs Munsami drove in!

The learners and staff screamed in celebration, and sure enough, the water works followed!

She parked her vehicle, stepped out, and couldn’t hold back tears. Learners and staff created a pathway for her as she walked through it, taken aback by the love and appreciation they had to show her.

There were flowers, there were treats and of course, a whole lot of hugs and tears.

“Everyone was in tears. It was such a beautiful mess,” Amanda shared.

Escorted on her own red carpet, Mrs Munsami eventually made it to the hall. The entire school sang and celebrated a principal who had led their school with honour, excellence and care in her years of service.

The video has received over 235K views and an outpouring of love in the comments section from many viewers admitting they were moved by the heartfelt moment.

It was certainly a special send-off, and we don’t doubt it will stay with Mrs Munsami for a very long time to come!

@amanda_mncube

I wanna share my morning with you guys , I’m not okay with this retirement btw #primaryschoolteacher #minivlog #teachersoftiktok #farewell #fyp

♬ original sound – Ms M

@amanda_mncube I wanna share my morning with you guys , I’m not okay with this retirement btw #primaryschoolteacher #minivlog #teachersoftiktok #farewell #fyp ♬ original sound – Ms M

Sources: Amanda Mncube

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 Watch: School Pulls Off Last-Minute Guard of Honour for Beloved Principal appeared first on Good Things Guy.

After a season of uncertainty where their whole world was turned upside down, Nikita and Vlekkie have finally traded their long wait for the warmth of a new home and the familiar joy of a cooling splash in the pool.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 March 2026) – Jack Russell boy, Vlekkie and a Staffie girl, Nikita, had always been treasured and loved all their lives by a committed human dad. Safety, gentle hands, a warm bed, and splashing around in the pool were the goodness that filled their days.

However, when their elderly human dad, diagnosed with liver and heart failure, had to move into an ‘assisted-living facility’ at the end of September last year, their world was turned upside down.

“On the day that this family was torn apart, he cried like a baby. You can imagine what it felt like to collect these furry friends and drive them away to our shelter site,” shared the Paws R Us team.

Upon arrival at the shelter, the team did their best to handle the bonded pair with gentle care and sent out a desperate appeal for a family willing to take them both in.

Nikita, described as a barrel of love and slobbery kisses, has enthusiasm and joy that just pour out of her, while Vlekkie is clever, curious, lovable, and always eager to cuddle and go off on adventures.

Both dogs enjoy being around children and are true water babies who just love swimming. Paws R Us was hopeful they would find them a home with a pool – and did they get that and more!

Following months of circulating posts on social media, a miracle finally arrived.

The organisation was thrilled to share this week that the doggos have found a place to call home again with Craig, Sune and their kids, who absolutely dote on the dogs.

“They are able to offer a beautiful life to Nikita and Vlekkie. Soon, the family will be moving down to Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape – and our furry duo, who had their lives turned upside down some months ago when their elderly dad went into a medical rehabilitation facility, will suddenly have their lives back again!”

The organisation also shared a heartwarming video capturing Nikita and Vlekkie splashing about and cooling down in the pool with their new human companions.

It is incredible how adoption transforms lives, transforms fates, and restores love, safety and dignity. The pure magic of wide smiles and wagging tails says it all.

Magic, you played a part in South Africa.

“You shared, and you pushed, and you believed, and your efforts have borne fruit.”

We wish Nikita, Vlekkie and their new family the very best adventure-filled days ahead!

Sources: Paws R Us: SA

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 Separated From the Life They Knew, Nikita and Vlekkie Have Found the Warmth of a Home Again appeared first on Good Things Guy.

When the world turned upside down in 2020, Vutomi lost her career as an accountant, only to find the recipe for her true calling.

Gauteng, South Africa (01 March 2026) – When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Vutomi E Lubisi, a woman who was an accountant by profession but a baker at heart, found herself able to pivot from the career she had always known to embrace her true entrepreneurial spirit.

It was an inspiring life change that was made possible by the angels who supported her during a time of great uncertainty.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a challenging period, to say the least. It turned countless lives upside down and brought an unwelcome wave of need that swept into even the most secure homes.

However, even in the midst of that hardship, teams of helpers, do-gooders, and guardian angels rose to support families during these difficult times. One such team was the Angel Network Gauteng, which ran dozens of soup kitchens daily, providing food for those who were hungry and vulnerable.

When the state of emergency stabilised, the charity made the move to empower the people it served so that they could stand on their own feet and rebuild better lives.

It was the difference between giving a person a meal and equipping them with the means to go out there and get it themselves. As the Angel Network puts it:

“Relief saves lives. Sustainability changes them.”

One of the ways the organisation achieved this was by equipping individuals to run home-based bakeries and generate income within their own communities.

A shining success of this initiative is Vutomi, who is today the proud owner of her own bakery.

“When COVID hit, she pivoted, building a thriving wedding cake business from her kitchen. Today, through Eully’s Cakery, she empowers others to create sustainable baking businesses through practical training and ongoing support,” the Angel Network Gauteng said.

And the proof is in the cake mix!

This past Saturday, 20 of the Angel Network’s beneficiaries attended Vutomi’s workshop, where the kitchen was filled with laughter, connection, and the unmistakable smell of possibility.

“What a powerful day it was. They learned to bake exceptional scones and muffins, understand basic costing and begin thinking like business owners. Many are already selling into their communities.”

The Angel Network has supported these members with ovens, essential equipment, as well as the skills, confidence and a pathway to income.

Relief was necessary, but sustainability has certainly been transformational.

Sources: The Angel Network Gauteng

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 How a Struggling Accountant Found Her True Calling in the Oven appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Not every missing persons story gets a happy ending but this one does, thanks to the power of public awareness.

Johannesburg, South Africa (27 February 2026) – Tian went missing in November 2024. This week he was found, fifteen months later.

Before he was found, Tian was last positively identified in the month he went missing, near the Gautrain Station in Rosebank. He was believed to be living on the streets at the time, and like many vulnerable people navigating life without a stable roof over their heads, he became increasingly difficult to trace.

A possible sighting in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg emerged in early 2025, but it couldn’t be verified and after that, leads dried up.

What made the search particularly urgent was that Tian was vulnerable. His family knew that life on the streets carried real risks for him, and every month that passed without news was another month of not knowing whether he was safe. They had no other option but to keep searching.

“For months, his family shared updated images and identifying features. Tian, 36, stands 1.80 metres tall, weighs approximately 80 kilograms, and has long bushy dark brown hair with a beard. He has brown eyes and distinctive tattoos, including an anchor, a full-sleeve angel, a sunflower, a scorpion, a fish, and a dove.” shares Missing Person South Africa. 

Alongside his family, Specialised Security Services – led by the well-known investigator Mike Bolhuis – played a significant role in coordinating the search and ultimately finding Tian. The broader public also deserves credit. Online shares, repeated media coverage, and community awareness kept Tian’s face visible long after many missing adult cases fade from the public eye.

“The discovery marked the end of a 15-month search that had stretched across Johannesburg and beyond. While full operational details have not been made public, coordinated efforts and information sharing played a decisive role in bringing the case to a resolution.” shares Missing Person South Africa. 

Then there’s the woman his family called their ‘angel.’

In a statement released following Tian’s recovery, deep gratitude was expressed to an unnamed woman who looked out for Tian during his time away. We may never know her full story, but the role she played in ensuring his well-being must be acknowledged.

“[Specialised Security Services] and Tian’s family would like to convey our sincere gratitude to the individual described as the ‘Angel’, who has cared for him over the past year. Her compassion, protection and humanity played a decisive role in safeguarding his well-being.” it read. 

As Tian and his family begin the process of rebuilding, this case is a reminder that outcomes aren’t always final simply because time has passed. Never let go of hope.

Sadly across South Africa, there are still many families waiting for news of a loved one who hasn’t come home. If you have any information that could help bring someone back to their family, please come forward, every piece of information counts. A list of missing persons and their descriptions can be found here. 

Sources: 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. 

The post Tian Has Been Found and Reunited With His Family After 15 Months of Hope appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Hoots off to the Owl Rescue Centre! Thanks to sharp eyes and gentle hands, two barn owls have been saved from a spice chute!

Gauteng, South Africa (25 February 2026) – Workers at a spice factory near Muldersdrift had to rub their eyes and look twice this week before confirming that, yes, two barn owls were indeed lodged inside one of the factory’s contraptions!

Naturally, they called the only people for the job. The heroes at the Owl Rescue Centre. It’s all in the name, really – though the team is famous for pulling off some pretty unbelievable rescues over the years, this one was definitely a bit more ‘seasoned’ than usual.

Pun intended…

Brendan made the trip out and found the two owls tucked away inside a ginger hopper. After a closer look, it turned out the pair had snuck in through an outlet pipe on the outside of the building. Perhaps for a spicy date night.

“Usually, a Facebook video earns us enough to buy one takeaway cappuccino—here’s hoping this one buys us two! We just wrapped up this rescue a few minutes ago,” the Owl Rescue Centre shared with a wink.

Thankfully, the factory workers had sharp eyes and were incredibly helpful from start to finish, ensuring the two owls – aptly dubbed ‘Ginger and Spice’ by a follower – could return to the wild unharmed.

Supporters were quick to jump into the comments to celebrate another successful (if unusual) mission:

“Adding spice to their romance!” quipped Lynette Kuster.

“How in blue blazes did they get in there?” wondered Michelle Maré. “Good thing the workers were alert enough to notice before the machines were turned on… thank you for the rescue.”

“Fantastic rescue! They’re two very lucky owls and emerged with hardly a feather out of place,” added Val Trenholm.

Sources: 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. 

The post Owl Rescue Centre Saves Two Barn Owls Stuck in a Spice Factory! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A very special place, in honour of a very special woman, is opening at the Bloemfontein SPCA in March. It’s going to help hundreds of kitties and bring comfort to many people, too.

Gauteng, South Africa (20 February 2026) – On 6 March, what would have been Marnelle Van Rooyen’s birthday, the Bloemfontein SPCA will officially open the doors to Marnelle’s Catio, a play and social space for cats and kittens waiting for adoption.

March is also World Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an appropriate time to honour Marnelle’s life and the brave battle she fought with cancer, as well as raise awareness around the importance of cancer screening.

Marnelle was a psychologist, artist and devoted animal-lover who battled stage four bowel cancer for a decade before she passed away on 15 July 2025. Throughout her illness, cats were always her favourite.

“She loved all animals, but cats were her constant companions throughout numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and finally, her death bed,” her friend Angie Vorster shared when launching the project.

Marnelle had long dreamt of starting an NGO to house feral and rescue cats and help them find loving homes. She became too ill for that dream to take shape, but before she passed, Angie made a promise.

“When I had the privilege of greeting her for the last time, I promised to create a space to commemorate her in a way that would be truest to her spirit. Which is a space for cats in need of a home.”

That promise has now come to life with Marnelle’s Catio.

“The goal was to raise R60, 000 to build a large catio at the Bloemfontein SPCA where cats and kittens can spend time in a home-like environment with visitors in order to help socialise them and make their chances at adoption that much better. Also to give people a space where they can come and spend time with cats and kittens whenever they feel the need – especially the elderly and students,” shares Angie.

The project quickly took shape after Marnelle’s passing and blossomed into something she would be so proud of.

The community’s support was absolutely incredible. When they heard about the cause, businesses offered discounted labour. Community members donated furniture, scratching posts, toys and even bunting and dreamcatchers to decorate the space. Friends and strangers gave what they could.

Now, the catio is almost ready for launch on March 6th.

“There won’t be a grand opening – because we want this project to be more than a building, it must serve the community, our animals and create an ongoing source of fund raising and support for the excellent work our SPCA does,” Angie shares.

Marnelle’s Catio will encourage continued adoptions by allowing the public to visit and bond with the animals. It will also create support for the SPCA’s work caring for roughly 150 cats and kittens who pass through their doors each month.

“In the end this project, as with all things related to Marnelle’s life, is about something greater than her. It is about the power of love to keep changing the world even after death. Let’s prove that cancer can be transformed into something healing and good.” shares Angie.

It’s a wonderful way to honour a woman who cared deeply about animals in a way that will also create real support for hundreds of cats and kittens – all of which Marnelle would surely adore.

Pop in at the Bloemfontein SPCA and ask to spend some time with cats and kittens in the catio any day from 6 March 2026. Share and tag if you do!

“It has been astounding to see how much positivity and hope this project has engendered in so many people – and it has been incredible to see the good in people. Faith in humanity restored.” shares Angie.

Sources: 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. 

The post Catio Comes to Life in Honour of Late Animal-Lover Marnelle Van Rooyen appeared first on Good Things Guy.

While the community knew him as the man who watched over their cars, Brian Ndlovu was quietly building a future that would eventually lead him from the parking lot to the courtroom!

Johannesburg, South Africa (12 February 2026) – Brian Ndlovu used to work as a car guard, known and trusted by his community to keep a close eye on their vehicles as they went about their errands. What many didn’t know is the life Brian led after his reflective jacket came off.

Each evening, he returned home to devote himself to a different mission: his books. By night, often studying by candlelight during loadshedding, Brian pushed through the exhaustion. It wasn’t easy, but he was driven by the belief that his life could be bigger than his circumstances.

His paths later crossed with The Angel Network Gauteng. When members of the charity learned about the dream that he’d quietly been working towards making come true, they took a small first step together. The Angel Network funded one term of a Higher Certificate in Law through UNISA, with the promise to continue if Brian obtained the required results.

And he did! In fact, he passed with flying colours!

“Brian didn’t just pass, he earned seven distinctions. He worked all day, studied all night and never once took the opportunity lightly,” the organisation shares.

“From there, a village formed. Donors who gave financially. Others who gave books, a laptop, time, mentorship, and encouragement. Step by step, Brian moved forward, from car guard to BCom Law graduate, now working at a legal firm in Rosebank.”

Brian always knew he was destined for a great life, and thanks to his determination and discipline, others saw it too and backed him all the way. The lawyer considers himself forever indebted to those who contributed to placing him in the position he is in today.

The Angel Network shares Brian’s journey with pride and a strong sense of affirmation in its mission to impact and change lives for the better.

“Brian is now an ambassador for The Angel Network. And you, our quiet heroes with halos, were the village that made it possible.

“We say this: this is what your generosity looks like in real life. Not charity, but possibility. Not handouts, but partnership. Proof that when potential is met with belief, lives don’t just change, they multiply.”

Sources: The Angel Network Gauteng

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 Meet Brian: The Car Guard Who Studied by Candlelight to Become a Lawyer appeared first on Good Things Guy.