Sello, who carried his injured dog 15km to save her life, now has some stability, and Option is bouncing around happily on three legs!

Free State, South Africa (7 April 2026) – Their story showed us all what love between a man and his best friend looks like. In October last year, Sello walked 15 kilometres, with Option wrapped up in his arms, to meet the team from Virginia SPCA on the road outside Odendaalsrus.

Option had been struck by a speeding car. With his last few rand spent on airtime, Sello made the call to save her. After being turned away by other shelters and organisations who had no capacity to help, the Virginia SPCA finally answered. They met him on the road, and took Option in.

The story blew up across South Africa. Support and donations poured in. Weeks later, Sello visited Option at the SPCA with tears in his eyes. That reunion moved thousands more. We were all crying snot en trane.

It’s almost six months since that moment happened. This week, the SPCA shared that Sello and his beloved Option paid them a visit, and they’re doing well. The picture (and video in the comments section linked here) are everything.

Option has made a full recovery. She lost a leg in the accident, but this little three-legged doggie doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo that life is supposed to be harder. She’s doing just fine. Sello is doing well, too. A previous update shared that he is employed through to the end of May – stability makes all the difference for a man who gives everything he has to the ones he loves.

The Virginia SPCA playfully asked the public to guess who the two mystery guests in their post were. Hundreds of people, who never forgot their names or their story, flooded in with warmth and recognition.

“We could never forget Sello and little Option.”

“Two champions!”

“Brave Option with his hero Sello.”

“Sello and Option attached by special love chain”

“Even Hollywood could not dream up such an incredible story of love, resilience and compassion.”

Sources: Linked above.

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

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

The post Happiest Update About a Love Story That Had Us All Blubbering appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Steve has just done something incredible! He’s walked 300 km, from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay, in his ongoing mission to raise over a million rand to help fund the studies of young students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Cape Town, South Africa (07 April 2026) – Retired Steve Murphy first had the idea after his wife Jenny counselled a young Zimbabwean girl who had lost her estranged father, and her mother just six months later. At eighteen, this left her unable to complete her matric, and with it, her future shrank in ways it shouldn’t have had to.

Thankfully, Steve and Jenny were able to help her financially. In doing so, they realised how many more young adults were navigating the same reality in South Africa. Too many capable minds are denied the chance to build careers, support their families and contribute to society, simply because they can’t afford to finish school or get into tertiary education.

“We could help the young lady financially but we also realised there were many others in this predicament and thought we would try ‘something’ like a walk!” Steve tells us.

That’s how it began. He mapped out a 300-kilometre route from bay to bay, a growing BackaBuddy campaign in tow, with an initial goal of one million rand, enough to cover student fees for at least a handful of young South Africans who needed a hand.

Steve started out knowing his efforts wouldn’t solve the national unemployment crisis, but was equally convinced that hope, placed in capable hands, leads somewhere worth going.

“I am not really trying to ‘eat the elephant’ – I think, if we give young people skills we create hope and they are resourceful enough to find their own way. Build a solid base (that is an entity which is credible, authentic and real) and which others are happy to support, and the rest will follow. Empowered people do things that assist others.”

A call for sponsorship went out to his network, and Steve set off step by step. Over two weeks, he crossed the Garden Route to Storms River and back to Plettenberg Bay. He covered 300 km, averaging around 20 kilometres a day. It’s no small feat for anyone, let alone a champ of 74!

The road made space for all kinds of thoughts, but perhaps the greatest realisation was that making a difference can be as straightforward as putting one foot in front of the other for a worthy cause.

“I am a person of faith, so I did wonder if in my latter years I might still be fruitful. I also was encouraged to reach out to others with so little when I had so much. I was profoundly moved by the courtesy, kindness and respect from fellow pedestrians. I wondered if I lived in the same country as our parliamentarians and much of the media. I do not want to diminish the pain of those who have suffered violence and loss, but whilst that was a concern of mine, my lived experience was very different. So my thoughts have turned to registering a PBO and doing this ‘full time’ going forward.”

Along the way, Steve and his network raised R226,792. And then came a pledge that blew his original goal out of the water.

“The support I’ve received has been amazing, outstanding and humbling. I also received a pledge from the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences of R1 million in educational bursaries for 2026!”

Around ten applicants have already reached out for help. The R1.25 million raised so far will get their studies off the ground, but the goal has grown, and so has Steve’s appetite for it. He’s already planning the next one.

“Now that I’ve reached the end of the journey, I feel on top of the world, grateful for a body that is still resilient, and ready to do more – I’m motivated for next year’s effort!”

Ultimately, choosing to give might just be the most rewarding thing a person can do with their time on earth.

“So much of western lifestyle is about getting, keeping, having. Jesus taught that giving is more blessed. It brings more contentment and satisfaction than getting. This exercise has confirmed for me that truth! So here is to trying to give a little more each day!”

Steve’s campaign is still running. If you’d like to support his cause, follow this link.

Sources: GTG Interview.

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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 74-Year-Old Walks 300km and Raises Over R1 Million to Help Students Cover Fees! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Albert’s message was about spreading peace and hope through harmony. A legacy he built for fifty-five years, in his time with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

South Africa (07 April 2026) – A legend has fallen. On Easter Sunday, Albert Mazibuko ended his Earthly watch at 77-years-old. The South African music icon had, for more than five decades, spread messages of peace and hope, his greatest gift to the world.

Albert first joined Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the year of its inception in 1969, when founding member Joseph Shabalala began recruiting his friends in a mission to breathe life into a vision that had first appeared to him in a dream.

That dream was brought into the world with the group’s formation. For fifty-five years, Mazibuko made a meaningful impact in South Africa and beyond alongside his friends turned brothers, through harmony and dance.

The group, as most South Africans will know, is a peaceful warrior of social justice and culture. Through music, they’ve inspired thousands, including the greats. Nelson Mandela said that the harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo were his strength and inspiration while he was held captive.

When Joseph retired from the group in 2014, Albert became the wise elder of the group.

“Albert was a saint. He was kind to a fault. He loved traveling the world, spreading the mission and music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He never tired of talking about the group’s history and its desire to spread ‘Peace, Love and Harmony’ everywhere people had ears to listen.” Ladysmith Black Mambazo shares.

In a documentary made about the group more than a decade ago, Albert shared insight into what drove his passion for music. It was about awakening peace and love within others and sharing hope with the world.

“To have peace, we need peace inside us. To have peace inside us, we need to have each other.” he said.

Mazibuko said that their voices had joined to spread the hope of tomorrow and to heal the present. Singing was a tradition he held close to his heart, a vessel strong enough to carry these powerful messages all around the world.

“To sing is always a tradition where I’m from. Singing for love, peace and harmony”

Below is a snippet from the documentary we mentioned earlier. In it, Albert’s gentle, loving and kind spirit shines through. It honours the legacy and hope he now so gracefully leaves behind. If you’ve been feeling low, allow Albert’s memory and his message to spark something greater in you.

Sources: Linked above.

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

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

The post The Powerful Message Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Albert Mazibuko Leaves Behind appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The words were few, but the tears and hugs said it all. One Motherwell police captain received a send-off fitting for a hero who gave 40 years to his community and office.

Motherwell, South Africa (06 April 2026) – Some of our most hardworking and dedicated public servants don’t get nearly enough credit for the hours and tireless efforts they put in on the job to serve communities. We rely on them in various ways, sometimes to ensure our very safety and protection.

After serving with loyalty and heart in the national police force for 40 years, one Motherwell officer received a deeply moving tribute this week. In a touching video shared by his sister, Marlene Meintjes, the veteran member is seen walking out of the station for the final time, shaking hands with his colleagues.

Fighting back tears, he proceeds to walk towards each of the station’s staff members standing in a line, everyone of them holding a yellow flower to present to him in honour of the remarkable work he’s done throughout the years and the impact he’s had on them.

There may not have been many words during that emotional farewell walk, but the long hugs and tears spoke volumes. They honoured a man who didn’t just wear a uniform or merely fulfil a job, but a man who truly served and touched lives.

“​Watching him walk out of Motherwell SAPS for the last time, surrounded by the respect of his colleagues, brings so many emotions. Thank you for your bravery, your sacrifice, and for always being a hero – not just to the community, but to our family,” shared Marlene, capturing the dedication of her brother.

A speech delivered by one of the senior members described the outgoing Captain as someone who played an irreplaceable role in training staff and uplifting the office. He was described as a man who had possessed humility, patience, knowledge and skill that helped guide and pave the way for all members he’d taken under his wing. He was thanked for the change he made, his willingness to assist and for leading by example.

The video has garnered over 926K views on Facebook, with many viewers touched by the emotional reaction of the Captain’s colleagues.

“What a beautiful speech, it brought tears to my eyes. It looks like they were a good team, more like a family. Everyone is heartbroken because the captain is leaving his ship, but they know that they can rely on him if they need him. I’m so happy that I could see this. Congratulations, Captain, on 40 years,” one person commented.

And we can’t help but share similar sentiments. The Captain leaves behind a strong team that he’s helped mould, ready to serve and protect Motherwell in Gqeberha. We celebrate and salute his invaluable impact, and wish this legend a restful, well-deserved retirement.

Sources: Marlene Meintjes

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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. 

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6 South African scientists are heading to Germany after earning a place at one of the most prestigious scientific gatherings in the world, where they will join Nobel Laureates and global innovators shaping the future.

South Africa (05 April 2026) – For 6 South African scientists, years of study, research and dedication have led to this: an invitation to sit among Nobel Laureates and take part in conversations that could define the next era of science.

Later this year, these incredible South Africans will travel to Lindau, Germany, to attend the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, taking place from 28 June to 3 July 2026. It is one of the most respected gatherings in global science, bringing together Nobel Prize winners and early-career researchers for a week of dialogue, discovery and collaboration across disciplines.

The numbers alone tell you how significant this opportunity is. Around 636 young scientists from 88 countries have been selected through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process. Among them, 6 South Africans now stand proudly on that list, representing their respective fields and the depth of talent and innovation being cultivated right here at home. The Academy of Science of South Africa, with support from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, plays a key role in identifying and nominating these candidates each year. Being selected is widely regarded as a career-defining milestone, offering rare and direct access to some of the most celebrated minds in science and opening doors to conversations that can shape global research for years to come.

And the work these 6 scientists are doing already reflects that level of impact.

• Dr Chevarra Hansraj, a lecturer and researcher in applied mathematics at Stellenbosch University, is exploring some of the most complex questions in the universe. Her work in mathematical physics focuses on gravity, black holes and astrophysical modelling, contributing to a deeper understanding of how the universe functions. Alongside her research, she is committed to mentorship and leadership, actively supporting the next generation of scientists, particularly women in STEM.
• Fannie Masina, a PhD candidate in aquatic ecology at the University of Mpumalanga, is dedicating his work to understanding freshwater ecosystems. His research looks at biodiversity, ecosystem health and the impact of invasive species and human activity on aquatic environments, contributing valuable insight into how we protect one of our most essential natural resources.
• Dr Itumeleng Baloyi is at the forefront of research into medicinal plants and natural products, focusing on innovative approaches to tackle global health challenges. Her work goes beyond the lab, supporting small businesses and researchers by helping generate the data needed to bring plant-based cosmetics and complementary medicines to market. With international research experience, multiple awards and a growing list of publications, she is also actively mentoring young scientists and contributing to academic development.
• Dr Jaymi January, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape, is advancing biosensor technology that could change how diseases are detected. Her research focuses on developing highly sensitive, low-cost diagnostic tools capable of identifying biomarkers linked to cancer, infectious diseases and tuberculosis. Alongside her research, she teaches and mentors students, while also exploring ways to bring these innovations into real-world healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
• Dr Patrick Mwanza, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Nelson Mandela University, is applying molecular science to public health and environmental challenges. His work in wastewater-based epidemiology offers new ways to monitor infectious diseases across populations, while his research into antimicrobial resistance and biologically derived solutions for pathogen control opens new avenues in disease prevention. He is also exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance disease surveillance systems, strengthening global health preparedness.
• Dr Xoliswa Lindokuhle Dyosiba is working at the intersection of chemical engineering, materials science and sustainability, developing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing energy and climate challenges. Her research focuses on advanced materials and clean energy systems, including hydrogen technologies and low-carbon innovations that support a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Together, these 6 individuals represent a powerful cross-section of South African science, spanning health, sustainability, environmental research and theoretical physics. Before heading to Germany, they will also take part in a science communication workshop hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa, equipping them to share their work and insights on an international stage.

6 scientists. 6 journeys. 1 shared opportunity to sit at the same table as some of the greatest minds in history, and to play a role in shaping what comes next.

Sources: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) 

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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 6 South African Scientists Head to Nobel Laureate Meeting appeared first on Good Things Guy.

An opportunity for us all to do a little something that turns hope into action on Friday, in honour of one of the world’s most respected visionaries.

South Africa (02 April 2026) – On Friday the 3rd of April, the world marks the first official Jane Goodall Day, proclaimed by the Jane Goodall Institute to be celebrated annually on what would have been her birthday. It’s a date for reflection, and for action.

Jane Goodall passed away in October 2025, at 91, peacefully in her sleep while still on the road. She died doing what she loved – sharing hope and urging people not to give up. Right until the end, she logged around 300 days of travel a year. She was abosutely extraordinary like that.

Gill Simpson, Executive Director of Wild Rescue – a registered nature reserve and animal sanctuary in the Western Cape – has been thinking about what this day means, and what Dr. Goodall leaves behind for us to hold onto.

Hope.

“In today’s world with its wars, destruction and economic gloom it’s tempting to get lost in despair and feel like our problems in society are just too large and insurmountable,” says Gill. “But Dr. Jane Goodall taught us that we have the ability to make extraordinary changes and reforms, to pull back from the brink of disaster and navigate towards a better future, and it all begins with the small everyday acts and choices made by every individual on the planet.”

That was always her message, and that’s what Jane Goodall Day is about.

People often tell themselves the story that alone, their impact could never be great enough. That just isn’t so. If we all chose to bring a little bit of light into the world, in small ways, it would be a better place. Your ‘little light’ might look like a litter clean-up, a tree planted, a meal that’s plant-based. A kind act extended to someone who needs it. All of it makes a difference.

The Institute is inviting people worldwide to mark the day in whatever way is accessible and meaningful to them, and to share it under #JaneGoodallDay.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference through the cumulative effect of small ethical actions.” once said Goodall.

One of Jane’s most enduring gifts she left to the world is her four pillars of hope. It’s the framework through which she understood people, nature, and the possibility of a better future for all.

The first pillar is the resilience of nature. Land recovers. Soils regenerate. Species return. If given the space and the care, ecosystems can and do come back. That is hopeful.

The second is the power of the human mind. The same intellect that drove industrialisation, pollution and habitat loss is also capable of the ingenuity that reverses it.

“Wisdom involves using our powerful intellect to recognize the consequences of our actions and to think of the well-being of the whole,” Dr. Goodall once said.

The third pillar is the energy of young people. Dr. Goodall’s Roots & Shoots programme, now active across more than 62 countries and 12,000 groups since 1991, is proof of what happens when young people are trusted with real problems and given a platform. South Africa is part of that network. It matters.

And lastly, the indomitable human spirit. History is full of people who kept going when the odds were impossible. That persistence and refusal to stop is something Dr. Goodall practiced until her very last day.

“We cannot give up. We all have the power to uphold her remarkable mission and Dr. Goodall’s four reasons for hope remains one of her greatest legacies.” says Gill.

Dr. Goodall was careful to say that hope isn’t passive. It’s not wishful thinking. The world needs to be reminded of that.

“Hope is often misunderstood. People tend to think that it is simply passive wishful thinking: I hope something will happen but I’m not going to do anything about it. This is indeed the opposite of real hope, which requires action and engagement. Hope is what enables us to keep going in the face of adversity. It is what we desire to happen, but we must be prepared to work hard to make it so. Hope does not deny all the difficulty and all the danger that exists, but it is not stopped by them.”

Emily Dickinson once wrote that hope is the thing with feathers, the thing that perches on the soul and never stops singing. Dr. Goodall would have agreed with the sentiment, but she would have added – ‘and then it gets up and does something about it!’

This Friday, wherever you are, there is something small you can do. What will it be?

Sources: Wild Rescue.

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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 World Celebrates the First Jane Goodall Day on Friday! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Ten-year-old Kitana Inderpal will compete in Bangkok after standout performances at the national level, with support needed to make the journey possible.

Johannesburg, South Africa (02 April 2026) – A bright young learner from Johannesburg is set to take her talents to the global stage, and she’s making South Africa proud while doing it.

Ten-year-old Kitana Inderpal has been selected to represent the country at the AsiaRope International English Olympiad in Bangkok, Thailand, following an impressive run at the national level. Her results speak volumes: she achieved Gold status, placed third in the South African Olympiad national round, and secured second place in the AsiaRope national round.

Now, she’s preparing to compete against learners from across the world, with participants expected from between 10 and 20 countries. It’s a massive opportunity to test her academic skills and to gain international exposure and experience at a young age.

But Kitana’s achievements don’t stop in the classroom. She’s a well-rounded learner who continues to shine in different spaces. Her English work has already been featured in her school’s quarterly newsletter, and she was recognised as one of ten winners in the Yokico competition. On top of that, she also volunteers her time at a local veterinary practice.

This next step in her journey is a big one, but it does come with high costs. The total for the trip is estimated at around R75,000, covering flights, accommodation and competition-related expenses. While her family is fully behind her and committed to supporting her dream, they are reaching out for additional support to help make this opportunity a reality.

Every contribution, no matter the size, can help take Kitana one step closer to representing South Africa on an international stage.

For those who would like to support her or find out more, you can follow the link here.

Sources: Supplied 

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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 Johannesburg Learner Selected to Represent SA at International English Olympiad appeared first on Good Things Guy.

This is a heartbreaking update to a story that, with the help of a community, still has a chance at a happy ending.

Johannesburg, South Africa (02 April 2026) – Last week, we shared the story of Rosie, a mother who put out a humble call to her community, hoping to make her daughter’s matric farewell special.

After suffering a cerebrovascular stroke in 2023, she has been navigating life with a disability, raising two young children alone, and carrying the mounting weight of everything. Still, she kept both children in school, and with the help of the Randburg community, she gave her daughter the matric dance of her dreams last week.

It was everything she hoped for and more.

This week, we received heartbreaking news.

Rosie and her two children, aged eighteen and twelve, have been evicted from their home in Riverside View. She had been struggling to cover rent, taking on freelance work wherever she could and eventually launching a BackaBuddy appeal for help. It wasn’t enough.

At midnight last night, Rosie and her children arrived at the gate of One Small Act of Kindness, a moving truck behind them.

“At around midnight, a truck arrived at our gate with a mom and her two children. She had just been evicted,” OSAOK shared. “She’s weak, walking with a crutch, and clearly terrified. The landlord had her belongings loaded up and removed. With no strength or stability to fight it, she had no choice but to leave.”

Sadly, OSAOK had no space or means to take them in. All they could do at that moment was direct the family to the nearest police station for the night, and put out a call for help.

“Right now, we unfortunately don’t have the means or space to take her in, and that is one of the hardest things to sit with,” said Kelly-Ann, founder of OSAOK. “But I cannot ignore what I saw tonight — the fear in her eyes and the uncertainty in her children’s faces.”

Rosie and her children spent the night at the Diepsloot police station. Their belongings were dropped at a local church, where they remain outside in a yard.

“We’re walking around not knowing what to do or where to go,” she told us this morning. “I can see the frustration in my kids. My daughter was supposed to be at school today, the matrics are still busy, but we’re out in the streets. My heart aches seeing them like this.”

Rosie’s stroke left her with lasting effects on her mobility and muscle function, and she continues to need ongoing care and monitoring.

For a woman already carrying so much, this has been a devastating blow.

The team at One Small Act of Kindness have stepped up. There is hope. While the road ahead is still uncertain, the shelter has called on its community of supporters to help find Rosie and her children a place to land.

“We will do everything we can on our side to assist where possible, but we need help from the community on this one,” OSAOK shared.

With the right people behind them, this small family can find their feet again. If you would like to help, please reach out to One Small Act of Kindness on 082 513 2042.

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 A Heartbreaking Update as Hope Still Holds On for Struggling Single Mom and Family appeared first on Good Things Guy.

When good people fall, the best of humanity rises to meet them.

Brackenfell, South Africa (02 April 2026) – Time and again, we’ve seen it happen. A family reaches a moment they simply cannot get through alone, and they’re left with no other option but to ask, and hope, for help.

Somehow, through the kindness of strangers, the generosity of communities, and the miracle of people choosing to show up, they find a way through their darkest hours.

We have seen it here on Good Things Guy more times than we can count. And we believe, with everything we have, that we are about to see it again. This time, it’s for Jacques.

Jacques is the husband of Bianca, dad to their daughter Charnè. When his diagnosis of high-grade bladder cancer and kidney cancer came, it turned their small family’s life upside down.

And then, the road become even steeper. His initial bladder surgery was followed by a serious complication of Klebsiella septicaemia, a bloodstream infection that hit his already-weakened body.

Time is working against the family.

Jacques needs robotic surgery to remove the kidney cancer, a specialised procedure that gives him the best chance of saving the kidney and stopping the disease from spreading. That surgery is scheduled for 8 April 2026, just a week from now. It’s the only window he has.

Once Jacques begins his bladder cancer treatment on 4 May 2026, his immune system will take a severe hit, making further surgery too dangerous. That treatment will run for six weeks, then repeat every three months for years to come. The kidney surgery has to happen first. Before the treatment starts and before the window closes.

That’s how little time they have.

The toll this has taken is immense. With Jacques unable to work, the financial pressure on the family has grown to a point that’s becoming impossible to manage alone. Their medical aid doesn’t cover the full cost of the robotic surgery, and with specialist visits, hospital stays, medication, and ongoing care, the numbers quickly become overwhelming.

Hope is the most tangible thing they have right now.

Bianca has made a humbling, and heartbreaking, cry for a help.

“I serve as a criminologist and the national coordinator for Missing Children South Africa. My work has always been protecting vulnerable children and supporting families in crisis. My husband has stood by my side through it all, often stepping in to keep others safe. For years we’ve helped people through their darkest moments. Now we face one ourselves.” Bianca shares.

An online crowdfunding campaign has been set up to help cover the cost of Jacques’s robotic kidney surgery, his bladder cancer treatment, and the many medical expenses that come with a battle this long and this complex. So far, R22,910 has been raised toward a goal of R200,000.

With Jacques’ surgery scheduled a week from now, the family needs their miracle.

“It is incredibly difficult to ask for help, but as family we will do anything to give Jacques the chance to fight, to heal, and to continue being the person we love so deeply.” shares Bianca. “Every single donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to making this life-saving treatment possible.”

To support Jacques, visit this link.

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 Bianca’s Urgent Call for Help as Husband Jacques Battles Two Forms of Cancer appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Dr Retha Smit has just collected her PhD in psychiatry from Stellenbosch University, and she’ll tell you straight that age had nothing to do with it!

Stellenbosch, South Africa (01 April 2026) – Stellenbosch University (SU) has shared an inspiring story that proves you’re never too old to learn. Last week, Dr. Retha Smit, at 67-years-young, donned the cap and gown as she received her PhD in psychiatry.

“Age was never a factor for me. Instead, I remain deeply grateful for the health and strength that allowed me to complete the journey I began in 2012,” she says as per SU.

Smit has worked in psychiatric research at Stellenbosch for nearly three decades, starting out in 1996 as a study coordinator for clinical trials in psychiatry, after gaining her diploma in general nursing and obstetrics. Psychiatry was a field she had no formal training in at the time but she learned on the job, and rose to become principal study coordinator of a busy psychiatric clinical trials unit, while keeping her bigger goal in sight the whole time.

Her love of learning came from her parents who instilled in her a deep appreciation for knowledge from an early age. It’s a belief she carried with her through the years of raising four children alone, working full-time, and at times holding down a second job to make ends meet.

“During those years, there was little opportunity for me to pursue further studies. However, I always carried the intention of continuing my education when the time was right.”

That time came in 2012, when her youngest child went to university and she seized the moment. Years later at 60, she completed her honours degree in psychology cum laude through UNISA. Then came a master’s in research psychology at Stellenbosch.

Her PhD, awarded at the university’s March 2026 graduation ceremony, marks another inspiring milestone!

As per SU, Smit’s PhD research focused on relapse in schizophrenia. Specifically, the factors beyond medication non-adherence that cause patients to deteriorate. Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population around the world yet ranks among the top ten causes of disability worldwide. Her research shows that sustainable improvement requires addressing biological, psychosocial, and structural factors together. In 2024, following training in Denmark, she conducted South Africa’s first virtual reality-based study on schizophrenia, using AVATAR therapy, a therapeutic approach that addresses persistent auditory hallucinations, or hearing voices that aren’t there.

Outside of her academic world, Smit keeps her creative muscles exercised by playing acoustic guitar, making music with friends, and has taught herself crochet and lace-making.

Looking ahead, her plans academically are to publishing her findings, co-supervise master’s students, and contribute to ongoing clinical trials.

Her advice to anyone thinking about going back to study is to keep focused on the goal. If your physical and mental health allow for it, then why not?

“It is never too late to reach your goal. If you are fortunate enough to enjoy good physical and mental health, the most important step is to set your mind on a goal. Consider the challenges you may face in achieving that goal and plan actively to overcome them.” she says.

“This achievement shows that with perseverance, a positive mindset, and self-belief, you can achieve what you set out to accomplish.”

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 Lifelong Learner Dr Retha Smit Graduates With PhD at 67 appeared first on Good Things Guy.