South African designer Leon Kluge and his team secured both Grand Gold and Best on Show at the Shenzhen International Flower Show with unique designs.

Shenzhen, China (27 March 2026) – What started as a behind-the-scenes build in a foreign country has now turned into a major win. South African designer Leon Kluge and his team have officially taken top honours at the Shenzhen International Flower Show, walking away with both the Grand Gold Award and Best on Show.

It’s a massive achievement at one of the biggest flower shows in Asia and a proud moment not just for the team on the ground, but for South Africa as a whole.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Leon shared just how much the moment meant:

“South Africa won the Grand Gold Award. Not only the Grand Gold, we are also Best on Show. That means South Africa’s garden here at the Shenzhen Flower Show is number one.”

From the architecture right through to the plant selection, the winning garden stood out for its unique blend of influences, combining Asian design elements with strong African inspiration. It’s a fusion that clearly resonated with judges and visitors.

“Representing a mixture of Asian design and African influence in the design. Not only the architecture, but also the plants. And I’m very proud to take this on.”

Just days ago, the team was still deep in the build phase, working against time, language barriers, and the challenges of creating something world-class far from home. Now, that hard work has paid off in the best way possible.

“Thank you so much for all the encouraging messages from everybody back home every day, we managed to pull it off.”

After conquering one of the world’s biggest flower shows with two major awards secured, the team will soon be bringing their success back to South Africa.

Sources: Leon Kluge 

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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.

The post South Africa Takes Top Honours at Shenzhen Flower Show appeared first on Good Things Guy.

In May 2018, an entire nation waited anxiously for news about a missing baby from Alberton. Eight years later, Bronwyn Laird joins ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque’ again to share how that terrifying chapter turned into a story of hope, healing and love.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 March 2026) – Eight years ago, South Africa held its breath. Parents refreshed their phones, communities shared posts at lightning speed and strangers whispered prayers for a tiny baby they had never met. It was a moment when the country collectively leaned forward, hoping against hope for the ending everyone was desperate to hear.

On the 2nd of May 2018, the Pink Ladies organisation for Missing Children in South Africa issued a kidnapped child alert after it was alleged that a domestic worker had taken a baby named Eden for a walk from the family home in Brackendowns, Alberton.

Eden had been tied to her back with a light blue blanket.

She never returned.

The story gripped the nation almost instantly. Minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days, and South Africans across the country found themselves emotionally invested in a story that felt far too close to home. Parents hugged their children a little tighter, timelines filled with messages of support and an entire country hoped for a miracle.

And then four days later… that miracle arrived.

Baby Eden was found and reunited with his family. It was good news that travelled just as fast as the heartbreak had days earlier. Relief swept across the country, and the story restored something powerful in the national spirit: the reminder that hope still exists, even in moments that feel impossibly dark.

Later that same year, Eden’s mom, Bronwyn Laird, joined me in studio on the Good Things Guy podcast to talk about the experience and the emotional whirlwind her family had been through. What she shared that day stayed with many of us long after the microphones were switched off.

“We’ve seen miracles happen and prayers answered,” Bronwyn said at the time.

“We cannot allow what 6 individuals, 5 of whom we have never even met – what they chose to do – to affect how we see the world, how we evaluate relationships going forward or how we live our lives.

Hate just isn’t in our vocabulary. Hate changes nothing but love changes everything. Love wins.”

Now, eight years later, Bronwyn joins me again on this week’s episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘. This time the conversation is about the past but also about the incredible journey that followed. Bronwyn has written a book about the entire ordeal, sharing the raw, human experience of those terrifying days and the powerful lessons that came afterwards. In a full-circle moment, the Good Things Guy podcast and our original conversation even form part of that story.

While the chapter that began in 2018 started with fear and uncertainty, the pages that followed are filled with healing, growth and a family that chose love over bitterness.

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

Sources: Good Things with Brent Lindeque 

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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 The Kidnapping That Shook a Nation and The Miracle That Followed appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A second essay from the Hilton College learner who earned 100% for his creative writing and over a million reads!

Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal (17 March 2026) – Last year, a Grade 11 learner named Guy Fender from Hilton College wrote a fictional essay about grief. His school, Hilton College, shared it online, and it went viral instantly.

It earned him 100%, over a million readers on social media and something even rarer – a chorus of strangers begging him to never stop writing.

“Last year, Guy Fender achieved a remarkable 100% for a piece of creative writing that reached more than 1.2 million readers on social media, with many calling for more of his work.” shared Hilton College recently.

This week, the school shared a second essay from their extraordinary student. This time, the subject is about being dropped from a rugby team, but in essence, it’s a meditation on identity, effort, and what happens when the thing you’ve built your life around closes its door on you.

“People think being dropped feels like a punch. It doesn’t. It feels like someone gently closing a door while you’re still talking.”

Beyond a command of imagery, the emotional intelligence underneath Guy’s writing shows that he has a gift for words, far beyond his years.

Readers have again responded in their thousands.

“This is the first real gift of writing I’ve read in a long time,” wrote one commenter. “You can reach inside people and lift out the meaning they did not know how to reach themselves,” wrote another.

A former rugby player said he related on every level. A mother said she was sending it to her sons.

Someone said: “A rugby player’s career lasts between 1 and 15 years. A writer’s lasts a lifetime.”

The essay, titled All Balloons Come Back Down, was published by the school two days ago and has been shared over 450 times on social media already, with thousands of comments and likes.

What struck us about this one is the honesty but also the hope it ends in. Our protagonist’s boots are still muddy, and he’s not where he thought he’d be. But the last line signals that things might be okay, and that’s a harder thing to write than triumph.

“I wasn’t done. I wasn’t finished. I just wasn’t where I thought I’d be. And for the first time, that felt like something I might be able to carry.”

If his first essay met you in your grief, this one will meet you in your disappointment.

Read the full essay below. (or here if you cannot see the post below).

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 Remember the Hilton College Boy Whose Essay Went Viral? He’s Written Another. appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Mzimkulu Hide is temporarily closed to humans, but the local wildlife is breaking in a brand new pond, and a few VIP guests have already stopped by!

Drakensberg, South Africa (11 March 2026) – While the Mzimkulu Hide remains closed due to the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, teams from Wildlife ACT have continued working behind the scenes to look after the area’s Vulture Safe Feeding Site.

As part of those efforts, a new water pond was recently installed near the hide to create an additional water source for wildlife and, eventually, a new photographic opportunity for visiting guests.

During a routine visit, Wildlife ACT’s Malibongwe Sibiya spotted two Bearded Vultures taking a dip at the site, alongside an appearance made by a majestic Verreaux’s Eagle.

“During a recent weekly monitoring and maintenance session, Southern Drakensberg Priority Species Monitor, Malibongwe Sibiya, was fortunate to observe two Bearded Vultures and a Verreaux’s eagle on site – an encouraging reminder of the positive impact of these ongoing efforts” says says Wildlife ACT’s Southern Drakensberg Coordinator, Lexi Theocharopoulos.

Any sighting of a Bearded Vulture should be regarded as special. The species is listed as Critically Endangered in southern Africa, with only an estimated 50 to 100 breeding pairs remaining across South Africa and Lesotho. Their numbers have sadly declined due to threats including poisoning, habitat loss, collisions with powerlines, and contaminated food sources.

This is where Wildlife ACT’s work makes a difference. Their conservationists work closely with partners and landowners to create and look after safe feeding sites, ensuring vulture species have access to uncontaminated food in areas free from major threats.

The presence of a Verreaux’s Eagle during the same sighting was another good sign! While currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, its appearance is proof that these protected feeding sites can offer real sanctuary for our raptors.

If you would like to support the work that Wildlife ACT does, follow this link for more info.

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 New Pond in South Drakensberg Sees Rare Raptor Visitors! 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I do now.

Hope is contagious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Verkeerde WhatsApp-groepie, Maritjie.

But it wasn’t. And I had to.

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

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

I wish I had taken a picture.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This all feels so hopeful. So… not broken.

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

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

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

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

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

This is goosebump stuff. Life-changing.

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

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

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

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

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

Kristen and the team at MII understand this.

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

I need you to read that again.

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

I was completely overwhelmed.

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

It’s that it is also helping.

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

And that’s when Robbie hugged me.

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

Hope… is contagious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But there is hope here.

And hope… is contagious.

Sources: Brent Lindeque OpEd 

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

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

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

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

Kelvin van Baalen spent 413 days in ICU, was resuscitated 9 times, had 27 surgeries and faced injuries that should have ended everything he had planned for his future. Instead, he found a way to rebuild, reframe and keep moving forward, one step (and one laugh) at a time.

Johannesburg, South Africa (26 February 2026) – The human spirit is a powerful thing, especially when it refuses to be defined by a single moment, no matter how devastating that moment may have been.

On this week’s ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘, we sit down with Kelvin van Baalen, an incredible South African who is a flipping inspirational human.

Kelvin survived a tragic paragliding accident that left him fighting for his life, spending 413 days in ICU, being resuscitated 9 times along the way, having 27 surgeries and facing a medical aid bill that climbed to a staggering R21 million. Against all odds, he didn’t just survive, he rebuilt his life, found joy again, and now shares his journey with humour, honesty and a deep appreciation for simply being here. He was just 21 years old.

As specialist nurse Katinka Rheeder explained at the time, “When Kelvin arrived here he had sustained severe burns to approximately two-thirds of his body surface… local trauma statistics indicated a mere 30% predicted survival rate for burn injuries of this extent and severity.”

What stands out most when chatting to Kelvin now is not the scale of what he endured, but the way he speaks about moving forward. Even after coming home, the hard work continued, one lap of the house at a time, slowly building strength and confidence again.

“I had to push myself to walk around our house, adding more laps each day. Well, it was worth it, I can now walk around the entire golf course,” he says, with a grin you can hear through the mic.

Kelvin also speaks openly about embracing his body and refusing to let scars dictate how he shows up in the world.

“I do not allow my burns to hold me back from living life to the fullest. I play golf in shorts because I want to feel comfortable and play well. You can’t change what happened, but you can embrace what you have achieved. It’s all part of your story,” he shares, offering words that will resonate far beyond burn survivors alone.

Today, Kel is back on the golf course regularly, playing to a two handicap, competing in disabled tournaments, and joking that some of the top players are starting to get nervous. More than that, he is living proof that life after trauma can still be full, meaningful and joyful, especially when you choose to show up with humour and heart.

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Sources: Good Things With Brent Lindeque 

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

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

The post After 413 Days in ICU (And a R21 Million Bill), Kelvin van Baalen is Thriving appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Springbok captain shared moments from the 75th NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, where he mingled with global stars and embraced being on the other side of fame.

Los Angeles, USA (18 February 2026) – “Welcome to Hollywood, where the stars are out.”

Those were the words of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi as he soaked in the bright lights of Los Angeles this past weekend.

Siya attended the 75th NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, and from the looks of his social media, he embraced every second of it. Known for being the calm, commanding leader of the Springboks, Siya looked more like a wide eyed fan. You see him laughing, hugging celebrities and filming moments.

As he put it himself, he “felt like a child,” completely starstruck by the mix of athletes, entertainers and global figures in the room. And who can blame him?

 

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A post shared by Siya Kolisi (@siyakolisi)

In South Africa, Siya is the star. He’s the one people line up to meet. But in Hollywood, the roles flipped and fans got to see a different side of the double Rugby World Cup-winning captain.

One of the standout clips showed Siya sharing a lighthearted exchange with former NBA champion Festus Ezeli. Between laughs, he invited Ezeli to visit South Africa.

The star power didn’t stop there. Two-time Grammy Award winner Tyla was also in attendance, flying the South African flag high on the global stage. And among the crowd were global leaders including Barack Obama and Michelle Obama

For Siya it was about the experience. South Africa’s captain, leader and icon simply enjoying the moment like a kid in a candy store? That might have been the best highlight of all.

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. 

The post Siya Kolisi Shares Starstruck Moments at NBA All-Star Celebrity Game appeared first on Good Things Guy.

When a local idea meets real need, it does not take long for people to rally behind it. That is exactly what happened when SKUBU, a refill store built for low-income consumers, landed on millions of screens across the country.

Johannesburg, South Africa (15 February 2026) – Something special is happening in Diepsloot, and it has everything to do with dignity, affordability and smart thinking that puts people first. A short video, filmed on a phone and shared with genuine excitement, has turned a local idea into a national conversation and it is exactly the kind of good news South Africa needs right now.

Keith Dodgen, known online as “Yung Earn”, recently posted a video of himself visiting SKUBU, the world’s first fully automated refill store. In just two days, that video racked up 1.6 million views, prompting South Africans to flock to the comments section to celebrate a concept that feels both innovative and deeply practical.

@yungearn Only R100? Let’s see what I can get at SKUBU SKUBU is the world’s first fully automated refill store and it offer high demand staple foods at unmatched prices Try it for yourself #food #groceryshopping #haul #skubu #tiktoksouthafrica ♬ original sound – YungEarn

Launched by Ebenzer de Jongh just nine months ago, SKUBU was designed specifically for low-income consumers. That intention shows in every detail. The store offers everyday staples at prices that feel almost unbelievable when compared to traditional retail. One kilogram of maize meal sells for R9, compared to around R20 elsewhere, which is a 55% saving on one of the most-consumed food items in the country. By removing packaging costs and allowing customers to buy exactly what they need, SKUBU makes access to essentials more affordable while reducing waste. Prices are fixed per litre or kilogram, whether you are buying a little or a lot, which gives shoppers control over their budgets without compromising dignity.

Thanks to Keith’s video, SKUBU is now firmly on the map, with South Africans praising the idea and dreaming big about what it could become.

“I love Skubu they must open stores nationwide”

“In today’s economy, shout out to Skubu for selling essentials to the community at such low prices. Not only is this economically efficient, but it also helps avoid waste, as you only shop for the amount you need. Also, jobs are being created at that. Talk about inclusivity!!!”

“They could make university students’ lives easy if they had shops near the university coz food is expensive.”

“This is ticking so many right boxes: affordability, access, and environmental protection! Well done to the minds behind it”

The concept is brilliant but his idea is not new. Three years ago, Miles Khubeka, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author, launched Gcwalisa, a containerised retail outlet built around a refill-and-weigh-and-pay model. Long before algorithms picked it up, Gcwalisa was already serving communities by allowing customers to buy basic nutritional food items and household products using the money they had on hand. From Weet-Bix to soup, eggs, and maize meal, the model respects real budgets and real lives.

Both SKUBU and Gcwalisa are doing something powerful for the Kasi economy. They are meeting people where they are, respecting tight budgets and changing the relationship many South Africans have with essential goods. The key difference is that SKUBU is fully automated, using technology to scale the refill model in a new way. Gcwalisa, on the other hand, focuses on human-led, community-rooted solutions that are just as impactful.

Together, they show what is possible when innovation is driven by empathy.

SKUBU founder, Ebenzer, has been open about how overwhelming the response has been. After Keith’s video went viral, he took to social media to say that he had received hundreds of calls and thousands of emails. The interest became so intense that he had to remove his phone number from the website. It’s a “problem” most founders dream of and a clear sign that South Africans are hungry for solutions like this.

Right now, SKUBU operates two stores in Diepsloot (at the Chuma and Bambanani Malls). But the vision is much bigger. The team plans to scale to more than 30 stores across Southern Africa within the next two years, bringing affordable access to essentials to many more communities.

This is a South African win in every sense. Local challenges met with local solutions, backed by people who understand what really matters. When ideas like these grow, they remind us that the future is being built right here, by those who care deeply about access, fairness and dignity.

Sources: Yung Earn TikTok | SKUBU (via the VUKA group website) | Gcwalisa | Ebenzer de Jongh TikTok 

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

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

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

The post SKUBU is Changing How South Africans Buy Everyday Essentials appeared first on Good Things Guy.

When illness separates people from their families and familiar comforts, the smallest human connection can mean everything. HospiVision has spent nearly three decades making sure no one has to face those moments alone.

Pretoria, South Africa (05 February 2026) – Public hospitals can be overwhelming places. Long corridors. Hard news. Too much time alone with your thoughts. For many South Africans, being admitted means being far from home, separated from family who cannot afford to visit, or carrying fears they don’t know how to voice. And then, often when it is needed most, someone pulls up a chair, asks how you are really doing, and stays.

That is where HospiVision steps in.

Founded in 1997 by a small group of churches in Pretoria who simply decided to show up, HospiVision has grown into a national force for care within South Africa’s public healthcare system. This year, the faith-based non-profit passed a remarkable milestone, having supported more than 201,000 patients, families and healthcare workers across public hospitals in Gauteng and the Western Cape. In 2025 alone, their teams reached 45,605 people at facilities including Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Tygerberg Children’s Hospital, Karl Bremer Hospital, and Vredenburg Hospital.

We spoke to the HospiVision team, who are present in these hospital corridors every day and a clear theme emerged from every conversation. When families cannot be there, and medical staff are under immense pressure, what patients need most is someone who will stay, listen, and treat them with care. That presence often comes through the simplest acts, a chair pulled closer, a question asked with sincerity or a moment of undivided attention that reminds someone they still matter.

Christel Kloppers, HospiVision’s Finance and Marketing Manager and a former volunteer, explains that many patients are far from home, with families who are working, cannot afford to visit or live too far away.

“Many patients are far from home,” she explains. “Families are working, can’t afford transport, or live too far away. Some patients also face stigma that keeps loved ones at a distance. When people become ill, they often carry questions that aren’t purely medical. They ask why this is happening, what will happen to their families, or what they did wrong. We don’t have the answers, but we are there to listen.”

That listening matters. Volunteers offer conversation, a hand to hold, and the simple dignity of being seen. They also provide practical comforts like toiletries, clothing, books, or magazines.

“Those small acts of presence can turn a hospital stay from something to endure into something bearable,” Christel says.

Behind the milestone of 201,000 lives touched are stories that linger long after the hospital visit ends.

Gawie Le Roux, HospiVision’s Vredenburg Coordinator, recalls sitting with an elderly woman who was anxious and desperate to go home.

“We sat with her and listened, and by the end she was calm,” he says. Another moment involved a man awaiting an amputation, terrified of losing his independence. “We couldn’t change his situation, but we could make sure he didn’t face it alone. That’s what we do. We show up when people need it most.”

For Christel, one memory from her time as a volunteer changed how she understands care entirely.

“I realised how much I had underestimated the power of simply being with someone in a time of need. You see a patient who looks utterly hopeless, and when you leave, something has shifted, just because someone sat with them. It’s hard to put into words, but it changed how I see what presence can do.”

She believes South Africans often overlook the impact of small moments.

“We tend to chase big differences, but it’s often compassion and understanding that truly matter. As a nation, we have so much to give. Retirees can offer time. Those with resources can offer practical support. Volunteering doesn’t just change the lives of others, it changes your own view of the world.”

That sense of care extends well beyond hospital beds. At Tshwane District Hospital, HospiVision employee Jabulile Shabangu volunteered her services to the burial support team, facilitating dignified funerals for more than 20 unclaimed individuals. People who might otherwise have been forgotten were laid to rest with respect and care.

Phakama Magadla, HospiVision’s Karl Bremer Hospital Coordinator, shares a moment that stayed with her.

“A patient once said to me, ‘It’s nice to have someone who cares.’ That showed me how powerful presence and listening can be, and how pastoral care restores dignity and humanity in healthcare spaces.”

Simphiwe Leshabane, Grant Administrator, remembers visiting a young mother who felt overwhelmed after giving birth and feared she would never complete her matric exams.

“She contacted me later and sounded full of hope and determination to sit for her finals,” Simphiwe says. “That shift stayed with me.”

At Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Training Manager and Coordinator Tessa de Bruin notes the impact on hospital staff too.

“Doctors and nurses thank us as soon as they see our tags. Volunteers become a family and we work together.”

Amy Julies, HospiVision’s Tygerberg Hospital Coordinator, describes one of her earliest group sessions.

“At first, patients had faint smiles. Through conversation, presence, and shared stories, those smiles grew. By the end, they were smiling fully. It showed me how offering time and listening can change someone’s day.”

HospiVision’s reach also includes rebuilding lives beyond illness. At the De La Porte Oasis centre, 131 people completed skills training last year in baking, sewing, needlework, and digital literacy. Their soup kitchen served 4,343 meals in 2025, with women making up nearly three-quarters of those supported.

Skills Development Coordinator Takalani Murulane beams when he speaks about one baking student.

“She started her own business and is now a well-known baker on TikTok as Ntanga Bakery. Every time I see her, I feel proud. That’s what skills can do.”

HospiVision is also investing in the future of mental and spiritual care. Through a partnership with the University of Pretoria, they offer online courses in spiritual care, pastoral counselling and trauma support. This year marks the launch of a two-year, full-time Hospital Chaplaincy Programme, the first SAQA-registered NQF Level 5 qualification of its kind in South Africa, developed with support from the John Templeton Foundation.

For Christel, the reason this work matters is simple.

“Illness doesn’t only affect the person in the bed. Families carry guilt when they can’t be there. Hospital staff are stretched thin. When we show up, we fill gaps that would otherwise leave people unseen. Healing is not only physical. It’s knowing someone cared enough to be present.”

HospiVision’s journey proves that you do not need medical training or large budgets to make a meaningful difference. You need willingness. Willingness to sit, listen, care… and once you experience what it means to be truly present for someone in their hardest moment, that instinct to care has a way of following you far beyond the hospital ward.

HospiVision is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO 016-668). To learn more or support their work, visit www.hospivision.org.za. Or you can find them on The Helpers.

Sources: Interview with the HospiVision team 

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

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

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

The post Hope Has a Human Face in South Africa’s Public Hospitals appeared first on Good Things Guy.