Exciting news for two remote farming communities near Phalaborwa!

Limpopo, South Africa (07 April 2026) – The African Conservation Trust (ACT) has helped install a cold room and solar power system at Gingirikani and Rixaka cooperatives in Phalakubeni village. This is a game-changer for local food growers to keep veggies fresh, reduce waste, and open doors to bigger markets.

Before the new cold room, farmers had to sell their vegetables on the very same day they picked them, because in the scorching summer heat, produce spoiled within hours. Now, they can harvest over several days and keep everything fresh until they have enough to make a big trip to market.

“We took our harvest to the market three times a week, and now we store it until we get enough produce. We don’t have waste or rotten stuff, and it’s improved our daily life.” says Vincent Mabunda, Coordinator at Gingirikani Cooperative.

At Gingirikani cooperative, a large insulated cold room was fitted inside a 6-metre shipping container, powered by a 6kW solar system. At Rixaka cooperative, a solar-powered borehole pump and drip irrigation system were installed. Together, the two cooperatives now farm five hectares of land with a full crop plan, growing seasonal veggies in large quantities.

The cooperatives are located near the Kruger National Park, quite far from big city markets. To bridge this gap, a refrigerated vehicle is being provided to transport crops, allowing farmers from both cooperatives to fill any weekly vegetable order and sell their fresh produce all the way to Johannesburg!

Making this happen took a team effort from several organisations, including ACT, Kruger to Canyons Non-Profit Company (K2C), and The African Stove Company (TASC), with financial support from K2C and TASC, enabling the installations.

Growing food in this region is not an easy task; farmers overcome many obstacles.

“Farmers face multiple food production challenges. Outward migration sees skilled workers leave for urban areas; many residents experience sustained unemployment, causing personal food insecurity; and small-scale farmers contend with drought, land degradation, and inadequate infrastructure.” says Carl Grossmann, Chairman of ACT.

On top of these hurdles, elephants from the nearby Kruger sometimes raid the gardens! Elephants Alive has stepped in with creative solutions like beehives to deter the ellies, along with chilli-based repellants, solar flashing lights, and metal strip fences. Watch towers have also been built at Gingirikani, which double as storerooms and honey harvesting stations.

More than 40 community volunteers work in the gardens and receive a stipend through the Social Employment Fund (SEF). Research shows that each SEF participant supports about six more people in their immediate family, meaning the ripple effect is major.

“Our families are thriving because more than 40 people volunteer in the gardens and receive a SEF stipend.” says Vincent.

Produce from the gardens is used in three impactful ways. The farmers eat it themselves, sell it to boost their income, or donate the surplus to vulnerable community members.

Sources: Project Africa.

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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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Turning green into gold, entries to this year’s Eco-Logic Awards have opened.

South Africa (07 April 2026) – Heads up to all eco-innovators, sustainability champions and earth-kind heroes across South Africa – the Eco-Logic Awards 2026 are officially open for entries!

Now in their 15th year, the Eco-Logic Awards are South Africa’s most loved celebration of the people, projects and businesses finding smarter, kinder and better ways to look after our planet. From water-saving technologies to circular fashion and community-driven conservation, these awards exist to find the change-makers and make sure their work gets the spotlight it deserves.

Africa’s social impact economy is currently worth an estimated $96 billion annually and supports around 12 million jobs, with South Africans playing a huge role in driving that forward. Every innovative solution, every community project, every eco-conscious business is part of something far bigger.

Last year, Pure Flow Amanzi took silver for a gravity-fed water filtration system, bringing clean, safe drinking water to rural communities. Up-Cycled Cloth Collective took gold for transforming discarded textiles into fashion that people love. More on that here.

Backed over the years by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and a host of leading corporate partners, the awards recognise Gold, Silver and Bronze winners across 12 categories including Climate Change, Water Conservation, Circular Economy and Waste Innovation, Eco-Fashion and Lifestyle, Eco-Innovation, and Eco-Communities.

Entry is completely free and open to individuals, organisations, businesses and community groups. Submissions close at the end of June 2026, and this year’s celebration takes place on 5 October (World Habitat Day) at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, with the brilliant Themba Robin back as MC.

If you’re doing the work, go show it off. Head here to enter or find out more.

Sources: Eco-Logic Awards.

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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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There was a meter of synthetic string wound around its beak and inside its mouth.

Gansbaai, Western Cape (07 April 2026) – Cape gannets are generally much too fast for human hands to catch. They’re built for speed with sharp eyes and razor beaks. They can outsmart even the quickest flick of a fish. This gannet, on the other hand, didn’t put up a fight when its rescuers drew closer. That’s when the crew of the Dream Catcher knew that something must’ve been awry.

The Marine Dynamics Marine Big 5 Tour vessel had been out with guests on the water near Gansbaai when the crew spotted the bird flying low, trailing what appeared to be a length of synthetic string. It landed on the surface without diving or taking off. It just sat there as they inched closer.

Crew members Zwelandile Matiwane, Admire Kuseka, and Leon Kriel reached for the net kept on board for these moments and scooped the bird from the water. When it didn’t resist and didn’t so much as snap, they understood how close to the end it really was.

“It was as if it was saying: ‘I’m exhausted. I haven’t been able to eat for days… maybe months. Help me.’”

Working with gentle hands, the three used a sharp knife to remove a metre of synthetic string wound tightly around the bird’s beak and lodged inside its mouth. It had likely been there for weeks or possibly months. Unable to open its beak properly, the gannet would have been unable to feed.

“Clients on this tour witnessed something I have never seen in my 25 years of marine conservation. I have seen many entangled seabirds, even gannets, but it is nearly impossible to catch and help them. This was truly amazing — but also incredibly sad that this bird was so weak we could literally scoop him up.” said Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics & Founder, Dyer Island Conservation Trust.

The Cape gannet, or ‘malgas’, is endemic to southern Africa and listed as endangered. A healthy population of gannets (like the growing colony on Bird Island) is considered a good indicator of a healthy ocean, so their steady decline over recent decades, driven by overfishing and shrinking prey stocks, is a story the sea itself is telling us.

Already nutritionally stressed, Cape gannets like this one are far less equipped to survive an additional threat like entanglement in ghost fishing gear.

“Yet, like the critically endangered African Penguin, their populations have declined dramatically due to reduced prey availability, driven by overfishing and changing environmental conditions. Forced to survive on less nutritious fishery discards, many are already weakened — making threats like plastic entanglement even more deadly.”

Chivell, who founded the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, and has spent 25 years working these waters, says this rescue was both remarkable and a reminder of the saddening reality his teams encounter regularly.

“It is heartbreaking to witness the suffering caused by entanglement. We see seals with plastic cutting through their skin and flesh – literally suffocating these animals. It is a slow, horrific death.”

The Trust has spent decades fighting back against ocean pollution through stormwater catchment programmes, education, and training crews like this one never to look away from an animal in need. That culture of readiness is what gave this seabird (and many others rescued) a second chance.

The gannet was released, if it’s spotted again showing signs of distress, it will be taken to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary for further care.

Thousands of tour guests pass through Gansbaai every year to see the ocean’s wonders. On this trip, they also got to see what it looks like when the people who love our oceans refuse to turn away from the cost of our plastic habit. A habit that quite literally kills.

“This gannet was given a second chance. But how many others are out there, suffering unseen? It doesn’t matter where you live. Every river leads to the ocean. Every piece of litter has the potential to become a death sentence for marine life.”

Sadly, not every bird will have a Dream Catcher nearby. A fisherman leaving a bit of line behind, a child tossing a wrapper out the window instead of in the bin…nobody thinks their small bit of carelessness is the problem. That’s what we need to work on changing. Stories like this one can spark that awareness – even if only reaching one person. Responsibly discarding your rubbish matters!

Sources: Dryer Island Conservation Trust. 

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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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If you’ve ever wanted to meet the people dedicating their lives to saving greyhounds, donkeys, parrots, rats, pigs, and big cats – your Sunday plans just sorted themselves out!

Johannesburg, South Africa (02 April 2026) – The Rescue Expo is back, and this time it’s bigger than ever before! The first of its kind Autumn Edition lands at Bryanston Market on Sunday 19 April 2026 from 9am to 3pm.

It’s one of the most feel-good days Jozi has to offer.

It all started in 2022 with three animal advocates and a good idea. Fast forward to October 2025, and the fourth annual Rescue Expo pulled in 2500 visitors, hosted 60 vetted rescue and rehabilitation organisations, and distributed a whopping 3000kg of donated pet food.

In 2026, the expo is running twice as the Autumn Edition in April, and a Spring Edition in September. Two chances to show up for the animals!

It’s not just about the heroes who rescue dogs and cats (although yes, there are many of those too) it represents the full picture of animal welfare in Gauteng. This year’s participating organisations include donkey sanctuaries, parrot and cockatiel rescues, rat and rodent welfare organisations, pig havens, therapy dog programmes, wildlife rehabilitation, and big cat conservation!

“If there’s an animal in South Africa, there’s someone quietly giving their life to protect it and the Expo is where you get to meet them.”

The expo is where you finally get to meet them face to face. Some of the incredible organisations attending this month include Greyhound Welfare SA, Pigs ‘n Paws, Rat Angels, Rest Ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary, The Lions Foundation, Brainy Birds, ARC Rabbit Assist, and dozens more.

South Africa’s animal rescue sector runs almost entirely without government funding. Most organisations survive on donations, WhatsApp appeals, and the personal savings of their founders. Abandonment and backyard breeding mean shelters are operating at chronic capacity. The Rescue Expo exists to help break that cycle by connecting rescues with adopters, donors, and each other, and giving the public a window into a world of animal welfare most people never get to see.

Behind it all is The Rescue Collective, founded by Dean Bush (Greyhound Welfare SA), Jennifer Gerner (former vet nurse for CLAW), and Cheryl Hunter (three decades in animal welfare). They started the Collective because they kept seeing NPOs working in isolation, too stretched to even find each other let alone the public who wanted to help.

This year’s event will include rescue and rehabilitation organisations covering every species, pet product suppliers, adoption opportunities for animals looking for forever homes, food stalls, and fundraising merch supporting individual rescue groups. And it’s also pet-friendly, so leash up your well-socialised dog and bring them along!

When? Sunday 19 April 2026
What time? 9:00am – 3:00pm
Where? Bryanston Market, 40 Culross Road, Bryanston
Tickets? R50 per adult | Children free | Leashed dogs welcome

Find The Rescue Collective SA on Facebook for more.

This is one of those days where you leave feeling hopeful about humanity. Don’t miss it!

Sources: The Rescue Collective SA.

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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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Get your hands dirty, grow something good, and win a voucher for your garden!

Western Cape, South Africa (02 April 2026) – A new competition launched by CapeNature is giving schools and communities the chance to create indigenous gardens, win a R2000 gardening voucher, and do something good for the environment!

CapeNature has been running its Greening initiatives for years, focusing on urban and community environmental sustainability through tree planting, creating green spaces, and promoting indigenous gardening. By partnering with schools and community groups to create and maintain green spaces across the province, learners and residents learn about biodiversity, climate change, and how to live more sustainably.

The initiative also forms part of CapeNature’s Plant One Million Trees campaign, which feeds into the government’s Plant 10 Million Trees goal. Big numbers, but it starts one seedling at a time…and that’s where you come in!

This year, CapeNature is launching the Grow Green Together garden competition for schools and communities across the Western Cape. The idea is to improve your garden by planting indigenous plants, capture your transformation in photos or video, and show off what you’ve created.

There’s a prize on the table, too. The best indigenous garden transformation will win a R2000 gardening voucher! The competition runs from 13 April to 15 May 2026, launching on International Plant Appreciation Day.

CapeNature will also be working directly with selected schools and communities, providing seedlings, indigenous plants, gardening tools, and environmental education programmes to help get things off the ground.

“CapeNature encourages residents of the Western Cape to plant indigenous plants and trees during the winter months, when rainfall is more frequent, and water is usually more readily available,” says Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature. “Planting during this period generally increases the chances of successful growth and establishment with natural rainfall supporting healthy root development. Local nurseries are always ready to assist with knowledge on what plants are suited to the many niche habitats across the Province.”
Pop into your local nursery and they’ll point you towards the right plants for your specific area – the Western Cape has dozens of distinct habitats, and there’s something indigenous and beautiful for all of them.

Why should you grow indigenous plants?

For one, they are built for this place! Indigenous plants are adapted to local soil, temperatures, and seasonal change. Once established, they largely look after themselves, meaning they are hardier, less thirsty, and more resilient.

They also support local wildlife. Birds, insects, bees, frogs, and reptiles all depend on indigenous plants. Butterflies will only lay their eggs on specific host plants – almost always indigenous ones. Want butterflies? Plant their favourites!

They create corridors for nature. Urban development fragments natural habitats daily. An indigenous garden can replace some of that lost vegetation and create pathways for birds and insects to move through our cities.

The Western Cape’s biodiversity is extraordinary and rare, and it faces real pressure from urban growth and climate change.

Lastly, indigenous gardens also help improve air quality, cool down urban heat spots, and give birds, insects, and other wildlife somewhere to go. Every garden counts.

To enter the Grow Green Together competition, share the below CapeNature poster on social media, then email your before-and-after photos or a short video (max 30 seconds) to sjavu@capenature.co.za before 15 May 2026.

Happy gardening!

Sources: CapeNature.

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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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From recycling drives and cleanup campaigns to Spekboom propagation, sustainability is the heartbeat of St Mary’s RC Primary School – an effort that has officially earned them the title of Most Sustainable School in the province!

Retreat, South Africa (02 April 2026) – At St Mary’s RC Primary School, sustainability and fostering a greener environment through education aren’t just goals. They are a top priority embedded in every learner.

It is this very dedication that has earned the school the prestigious title of Most Sustainable School in the Western Cape as part of Nature Connect’s Sustainable Schools Programme in 2025!

The exciting announcement was made at the Sustainable Schools Western Cape Rewards Ceremony, recently held in Cape Town, which marked the final event of the national rewards roadshow.

According to Nature Connect, this award recognises St Mary’s RC Primary School for its long-term commitment to sustainability, strong whole-school participation, and a culture of consistency.

Despite being a low-fee-paying school and facing ongoing challenges in securing support and resources, St Mary’s has remained committed to its sustainability journey.

The perseverance, consistency and determination shown by teachers, learners and the school community alike make this recognition especially well deserved.

Over the years, the school has shown sustained engagement across several focus areas, including Production, Consumption & Waste and Community & Social Responsibility.

One of St Mary’s long-standing strengths has been its active and well-structured Eco-Club, made up of Grade 6 and 7 learners who meet weekly and lead a range of sustainability initiatives.

These include recycling drives, clean-ups, Spekboom propagation, and peer awareness activities that help build learner leadership and shared responsibility across the school.

Supported by partners including PolyCo, the school has also developed a comprehensive recycling system and, last year, received a new recycling centre to help formalise and strengthen its recycling efforts even further.

Long-term engagement

What makes St Mary’s RC Primary School’s achievement especially encouraging is the school’s long-term commitment. The school has been part of the Sustainable Schools Programme since its inception in 2021, and its recognition as the Western Cape’s top school reflects steady progress built over time.

That progress has been shaped by passionate teacher leadership, regular participation, and a clear willingness to keep learning, growing and improving year after year.

Recognising excellence across the province

While St Mary’s RC Primary School received the province’s top recognition, other Western Cape schools were also acknowledged for strong sustainability action in specific focus areas.

These included Pinelands High School for Biodiversity, Parkwood Primary School for Health & Well-being, Silvermine Academy for Energy & Climate Action, St James RC Primary School for Marine & Coast, and Sweet Valley Primary School for Water & Sanitation.

Additional awards recognised progress and learner leadership. Bel Porto School was acknowledged for Best Progress by a New School, Harmony Primary School was named Most Improved, and John Graham Primary School was recognised for its outstanding Eco-Club.

At the heart of the Sustainable Schools Programme is the belief that environmental learning should be practical, relevant and connected to everyday realities – values St Mary’s RC Primary School has reflected strongly through a wide range of learner-led, curriculum-linked and community-connected actions.

Sources: Nature Connect

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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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After nearly three months of searching and praying, the miracle one puppy owner had hoped for finally happened. Her precious furbaby that had gone missing in January is finally back in her arms!

Heidelberg, South Africa (02 April 2026) – When a puppy owner lost her beloved furbaby, Pou, time seemed to stand still. Unlucky in her search to find her little five-month-old dog, she reported it missing on 4 January 2026, spreading the word as far as she could.

The days and weeks went by with no sign of him.

Yesterday, however, almost out of nowhere, a kind gentleman from Ratanda visited the SPCA Heidelberg, carrying a little fluff ball he found lying in the street in front of his home.

The poor boy was covered in ticks and fleas, but thankfully, otherwise unharmed.

The SPCA’s Trainee Inspector, Elzette, took one look at him and immediately recognised the ‘fluff ball’ as the little pup that had been reported missing earlier in the year.

“This is Pou! This is Pou,” Elzette is said to have immediately exclaimed.

The SPCA Heidelberg contacted the dog’s owner, and she rushed over… and what followed was nothing short of pure emotion. Tears, relief, and overwhelming joy!

Pou was microchipped before returning home – a measure the SPCA encourages all pet owners to put into place to avoid the devastation that follows when a furry friend wanders far from home.

“A microchip can make all the difference – ensuring we can contact you immediately if your pet is found and brought to the SPCA or a vet. It could be the reason your story also gets a happy ending.”

Sometimes the longest waits lead to the most beautiful reunions. What started as a heartbreaking story of a lost puppy has unfolded into a heartwarming miracle just in time for Easter!

Pou is now safe. His tummy is full. And back home, where he belongs: in his mom’s loving arms.

Sources: SPCA Heidelberg GP news 

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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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The programme equips young professionals with the hands-on experience they need to lead a better, greener South Africa!

Newlands, South Africa (01 April 2026) – The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in South Africa has been running its Environmental Leaders Graduate Internship Programme for 15 years now. It’s become a bridge for Honours and Master’s graduates as they move into the working world.

The twelve-month-long paid internship programme, which runs every two years, gives recent graduates the experience and professional networking they need to actually build long-term careers in the environmental sector.

The programme responds to real skill shortages in South Africa. While we usually think of conservation in a traditional sense, the programme also places interns in high-demand, emerging fields like green engineering, sustainable architecture, and economics.

By focusing on these gaps, WWF helps build SA’s next generation of green fighters who bring their skills into wide-ranging fields, ensuring we have the right people, in all the right places, protecting the environment.

Over the years, interns have been hosted at leading organisations like SANParks, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Two Oceans Aquarium, and the Wildlands Conservation Trust.

The latest cohort includes graduates from universities all across the country currently completing their internships this month. The celebration was marked with a valedictory in the Newlands.

As the class of 2026 gear up for the next phase of their professional lives, they leave the programme equipped to protect and lead a better environmental future for South Africa! 

Sources: WWF South Africa.

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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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Every tail deserves a wag, and every pawsome friend deserves a home. This World Stray Animal Day, FOUR PAWS is calling on communities and officials to show up for South Africa’s stray animals.

Cape Town, South Africa (01 April 2026) – In the lead‑up to World Stray Animal Day on 4 April, FOUR PAWS is sounding the alarm on South Africa’s growing stray animal crisis – an issue impacting animal welfare, public health and community safety.

Far Too Many Animals are Without a Home

Stats gathered by the global animal welfare organisation reveal a concerning reality. Just over 4 million dogs and cats in South Africa are homeless, making up roughly 22% of the country’s estimated 18.6 million companion animals (dogs: 13.4 million, cats: 5.2 million). Of this homeless population, approximately 3.4 million are surviving as strays, while 650,000 are in shelters.

This data highlights the scale of the challenge that communities face daily.

For instance, in Langa, Cape Town, a recent census revealed that nearly 90% of dogs and cats are unsterilised- the primary driver of this relentless population growth and the risks that come with it.

“Stray animal management is a One Health issue,” says Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa.

“When dogs and cats roam without care, it’s not only the animals that suffer, but communities also face increased risks of bites, disease transmission and unsafe environments. Humane, evidence-based solutions are urgently needed.”

Rabies Remains a Serious Public Health Threat

Surveillance data show human cases are confirmed annually, particularly linked to dog bites; timely PEP (post‑exposure prophylaxis) and mass dog vaccination are proven lifesaving interventions.

A retrospective, NICD-led review in Limpopo (2011–2023) recorded 98,743 animal bite cases and 32 human deaths due to rabies, with a 100% fatality rate among confirmed cases, many of whom did not complete PEP courses, highlighting the need for better awareness and access to care.

“We call on the government to embed these principles into national and municipal legislation,” Miles adds.

“South Africa has an opportunity to lead by example, ensuring that animal welfare and human health go hand in hand.”

Reproduction and Abandonment are Major Drivers of Stray Populations

FOUR PAWS advocates for responsible pet ownership, sterilisation, identification/ microchipping and vaccination. These proactive interventions are widely recognised as more effective and humane than euthanasia.

Municipal frameworks such as the City of Cape Town’s Animal Keeping By‑law (2021) include mandatory sterilisation and permitting provisions to curb overpopulation and improve community safety.

FOUR PAWS encourages authorities to scale humane, science-based interventions by enacting legislation.

Call to Action

The government is called to embed humane companion animal population management through national and municipal laws to promote responsible ownership, sterilisation, identification and vaccination.

Communities and pet owners are urged to vaccinate, sterilise, microchip and keep pets safely at home; report bite incidents promptly and seek PEP.

Civil society and experts can collaborate on data-driven interventions and public awareness to protect people, pets, and public spaces.

Join the movement

Explore FOUR PAWS’ resources and advocacy at www.four-paws.org.za and help champion humane, effective solutions for stray animals rooted in One Health and community well‑being.

Sources: FOUR PAWS

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He was one of the shelter’s longest-staying residents. On Valentine’s Day this year, his forever found him. Now he’s living his very best life. This is the joy that adopting an ‘oldie’ brings!

Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa (31 March 2026) – The Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre recently celebrated the best news! One of the longest-staying residents – Gibson, an Afghan Hound – has been adopted and is loving life in his new home.

For a doggie that spent 12 long years in a shelter, it’s a wonderful new chapter after a lonely one of non-belonging.

“Gibson has always been the kind of dog who makes friends wherever he goes. Gentle, loving, and full of charm, he’s spent his days winning hearts without even trying.” Wetnose affectionately shared about him.

Gibson’s forever family said ‘yes!’ to him on Valentine’s Day this year, and have since shared happy updates about their beloved old boy, who is settling in well with his siblings, in his new home.

“This is what adoption really looks like – the moment a dog leaves the kennels behind and steps into a home full of love. It has given this old man a new spring in his step.” Wetnose shared.

Just look at how happy he is!

This is what joy adopting an older dog can bring. They might have many years behind them, but they are still the most loyal of companions – often calmer, deeply affectionate, and just looking for a soft place to land and someone to love.

Stories like this one offer a glimpse into what’s possible when someone chooses to say yes. Yes to a dog who’s been overlooked. Yes to a story that isn’t brand new, and yes to love that extends beyond years.

While puppies and kittens are often snapped up quickly, older dogs and cats like Gibson can wait years for their chance. But as this story shows, there is always hope for a happy ending.

Adoption, in any form, changes lives. It eases the burden on shelters, opens space for other animals in need, and gives a deserving pet the chance to be part of a family. Whether young or old, every animal has something special to offer.

“Gibson is doing really well in his new home. He loves to sleep with his new best friends. He also loves to run and play with them” Wetnose shares.

If you’d like to support the Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre, find out more here.

Sources: Linked above.

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

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

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

The post Gibson’s 12 Long Years in Shelter Ends as Family Says ‘Yes!’ appeared first on Good Things Guy.