“This is a fantastic example of a community coming together.” After a whopping 72 puppies were discovered in a small area in the Free State, the Cluny Animal Trust knew it was only a matter of time before that number exploded. Understanding that sterilisation is imperative to prevent dogs in poverty, the community have come together in a big way to help with a fantastic vacation raffle.

Rosendal, South Africa (29 May 2025) — Whilst doing outreach earlier this month, the Eastern Free State-based Cluny Animal Trust discovered a boom of puppies in a small town. This set off sirens of concern as a dog over-population crisis looms for the Mautse community in Rosendal.

A total of 72 puppies, most being female. This means that there will be more puppy booms to come if sterilisation action isn’t taken. Should the situation go unchecked, animal poverty is likely to rise given the size of Mautse and its limited capacity to care for the dogs.

The answer? Sterilisation. The solution? Community.

Sterilisations are no freebies, and the Cluny Animal Trust needs to raise a small fortune to help the animal population get under control again. Thankfully, the dog moms have been sterilised.

In fantastic news, Imogen Tarita of the Cluny Animal Trust tells Good Things Guy that the Rosendal community have already banded together to help raise the necessary funds by organising a travel raffle.

Hand-in-hand with the non-profit, people have come together to raise the R36,000 by way of a weekend trip raffle in the artist town of Rosendal.

The raffle boasts a 3 night stay at a local country retreat, dinner, breakfast, a sunset experience at Holkrans and even a picnic from PotLuck! It’s the perfect getaway for two.

With raffle tickets going for only R200, those entering can look forward to not only a unique travel experience in a gorgeous part of the Free State, but also knowing that they have contributed to animal wellbeing nearby.

Those keen to support the community and the Cluny Animal Trust can enter by emailing imogen@clunyanimaltrust.co.za. The draw date is 31 August and there are only 180 tickets available, so get them quick!

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Sources: Imogen Tarita 

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A novel plan to protect one of the most threatened habitats in the world, Renosterveld, is offering people the chance to nurture skills (like cooking or art) while actively contributing to the preservation of this natural treasure in the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Overberg, South Africa (14 May 2025) — In the heart of the Overberg region, a new initiative hopes to help more people protect Renosterveld, one of the most threatened habitats in the world.

Non-profit the Overberg Renosterveld Trust (ORT) has introduced the Wild and Wise Retreats initiative, a means to connect people to new or improved skills and the natural environment all in one intention-focused getaway weekend in the countryside.

What’s the Deal With Renosterveld?

The Renosterveld is considered a hidden treasure of the Cape Floral Kingdom, renowned for its rich biodiversity in both plants and animal species. However, over 95% of the area has been lost to agriculture. As the ORT team explained, the fragments of the area that survived and remained are overlooked and undervalued.

As such, the non-profit works hard to protect what’s still left. The ORT undertake restorations of degraded habitat, finding more about species and driving greater awareness toward Renosterveld’s value and plight. However, they cannot do it alone.

The Wild and Wise Retreats initiative then, is positioning parts Renosterveld as a sanctuary for both soil and soul. The Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve (between Swellendam and Bredasdorp) is offering people a slice of peace from daily life hustles, along with a host of activities on offer, from cooking to art and photography. Not to mention nature walks, mindfulness sessions, birding, and even bio-blitzing.

In this way, people get the chance to nurture skills and themselves while actively nurturing the environment in which they’re learning them. Funds raised from the Wild & Wise Retreats directly support the ORT’s conservation work, and the more conservation work undertaken, the better chance threatened habitat has to flourish once again.

“Our aim is to offer a space where people can learn or master a new skill, enjoy the company of like-minded people, find personal healing while also becoming stewards of the Renosterveld,” explains Dr Odette Curtis-Scott, the ORT’s CEO. “By experiencing the beauty and fragility of this landscape firsthand, participants leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to caring for nature.”

“Renosterveld is sometimes seen as the ugly sister of fynbos,” says Dr Curtis-Scott. “But it doesn’t take much effort to see the incredible jewels of this habitat. We’ve found more than 50 plant species in an area of one metre by one metre. And that’s not to mention the insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians that rely completely on Renosterveld. If we do not act now to protect Renosterveld, then this habitat faces certain extinction.”

All catering is included during the retreat – with well-known culinary queen Dee Robinson making a feast of every meal. And accommodation options include staying in the Old Dairy Guest House or the Renosterveld Research Centre, both on Haarwegskloof.

For more information, visit https://overbergrenosterveld.org.za/wild-wise-retreats/.

Sources: Supplied—Love Green Communications 

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Three high school friends recently reunited for the first time in forty years at AfrikaBurn for their 60th birthdays! Their adventures at the festival (as more mature festival goers) reminded us why reunions, no matter how long-overdue, are a must!

Tankwa Karoo (14 May 2025) — As thousands of people recount their recent adventures from AfrikaBurn, Helen Patricia’s stood out in a big way. It wasn’t just because Helen’s story focused on the reunion of three high school friends who hadn’t been together in some forty years or because the three women were celebrating their 60th in the most iconic way (at one heck of a festival).

It wasn’t just for the humour intertwined in Helen’s recounting either. Instead, it was the sum of all these unique parts that made for a dazzling reminder (for anyone who might need it) to act on reunion plans, no matter how long they’re overdue or how far out of your comfort zone they might lead you!

From preschool teachers’ failed campsite jollifications that required exchanging massages for assistance to grooving with one’s hearing aid in tow, the adventure had us giggling and missing our long-lost friends!

As Helen writes:

“Three high school friends reunited at AfrikaBurn 2025 to celebrate turning 60. The one from New Zealand hadn’t seen the 2 others for 40 years. Another came from Switzerland.

The South African hired the Bushy Kamper Trailer. With her long-suffering husband, all tried in vain to force the flimsy tent pegs into the desert soil with a rubber mallet, after the gruelling ascent up the Katbakkies Pass, rattling across the corrugated dust, dredging up memories from 80’s discos at the Southern Suburbs’ Werdmuller Centre.

One wore a hearing aid but the ones who didn’t, couldn’t hear anything anyway, with all the shuddering.

The South African preschool teacher’s attempts at jollifying their campsite with bunting from last year’s school concert was underwhelming and blown away with the first strong winds on the 2nd day! This complete fail was redeemed by one of the group gifting osteopathic sessions to nearby campers on the massage table brought along.

Afrikaburn is a bit like the parable of the six blind men and the elephant, all having their own unique sensorial experience of a mammoth animal.

The 3 old, almost-deaf women got their own satisfying experience.

The Oasis of the Crone became their place, starting with a charming baptism into the Oasis Way by the beautiful Aimee, followed by a 2 and-a-half-hour Grounding Mirror Journey with a Dutch Sorceress…

…Their last evening ended where it started, at the Oasis, with Silent Disco Headphones and Dancing in the Desert with the sun setting and the Tetrahedon burning on the horizon, setting intentions within. It felt good to be a Crone.”

So, if you’re looking for a sign to connect with old friends, consider this it!

Sources: Helen Patricia via AfrikaBurn(Group)/Facebook 

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

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