Dr Katye Altieri, Associate Professor of Oceanography, is the recipient of the 2025 Oppenheimer Memorial Trust New Frontiers Research Award. Dr Altieri thinks that the key to tackling air pollution could be hidden in the sea and has some fascinating thoughts on the matter!

Cape Town, South Africa (29 May 2025) — Dr Katye Altieri, Associate Professor of Oceanography at the University of Cape Town, is the winner of the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust’s New Frontiers Research Award for 2025. The professor believes that the answer to one of the Earth’s most pressing problems, air pollution, could actually be hidden in the sea!

In the Prof’s words:

The Answer to the Impact of Air Pollution Lies in…the Deep Blue Sea

Imagine for a moment standing on a sun-soaked beach, the surf crashing against the shore, and inhaling the salty, moist sea air. It’s invigorating.

But is it really? Hundreds of years ago, perhaps, but what about now? How do the ocean and the air interact in the presence of human-created air pollution, specifically nitrogen, and how does this relationship impact climate change?

The simple truth is, we don’t know – and I want to find out.

Our oceans are as important to life on Earth as the air we breathe. An enormous carbon sink, they help to remove the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, which is of course a good thing.

As a matter of fact, nitrogen helps the oceans to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The problem is, too much of it can spur the production and release of nitrous oxide (N₂O), another greenhouse gas that is 300 times as potent as CO₂. That is clearly not a good thing.

As with everything in nature, things work when there’s a balance; invariably, however, we humans throw out that equilibrium through our activities. That’s why we’re struggling so much with the issue of climate change, so much of which has to do with the pollution of our atmosphere.

We have doubled the amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere through activities such as fossil fuel combustion and agriculture. That nitrogen, even from far inland, is swept out to sea and settles in the ocean.

But we don’t know exactly how much pollution-derived nitrogen reaches the open ocean. We don’t know exactly what happens when it settles in the ocean.

And we face a conundrum: does it increase the ocean’s ability to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, or emit more deleterious greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

The main reason why we don’t know is because climate change science – a large and diverse field of study – is siloed in terms of scientific disciplines and policy frameworks, and the connection between air pollution and the ocean thus isn’t properly assessed. Atmospheric scientists and oceanographers do their own research and even speak their own scientific languages, and governments and their responses mostly don’t consider this aspect.

I intend to help change that, however, by forging new ways of scientific thinking about both our atmosphere and our oceans, helping us to build knowledge in ways we haven’t before. As the recipient of the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust’s 2025 New Frontiers Research Award, my mission is to come up with the evidence that supports (or doesn’t support) various air quality, climate and scientific arguments.

The New Frontiers award affords me the opportunity to lead a world-class research team, including the very best scientists; three exceptional South African women.

Supporting them will be postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Together, we will establish a shared language and methodological approach to the complex interactions between air pollution, nitrogen cycling and oceanic greenhouse gas fluxes.

This is how we will do it:

• We will undertake an ambitious observational campaign to measure how much anthropogenic atmospheric nitrogen deposition reaches the coastal and open ocean off the west coast of South Africa. This approach allows for investigation of a nitrogen deposition gradient, and how much of it is created by us
• On the question of the impact of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on surface ocean biogeochemistry, we will conduct on-ship incubation experiments using atmospheric deposition collected on land and at sea
• To investigate whether atmospheric deposition results in drawdown of CO₂ and/or release of N₂O from the surface ocean, we will conduct a set of model experiments. First an atmospheric chemistry model will generate fields of nitrogen deposition using current emissions as well as simulated increased anthropogenic emissions, then those deposition fields will be used as inputs to the ocean biogeochemistry model, and the ocean’s response will be quantified

In many ways, South Africa – Cape Town in particular – is the ideal place to do this research. As one of the world’s largest coal-burning countries, the country contributes significantly to atmospheric nitrogen emissions.

Uniquely, we have three diverse ocean systems, allowing for comparative study and measurement, within striking distance:

• The upwelling of nutrient-rich, cold waters from the deep ocean in the Benguela current up the west coast of Africa, teeming with phytoplankton that supports abundant marine life
• The ocean desert of the South Atlantic Ocean, which is comparatively nutrient-poor and has limited marine life
• The time machine that is the Southern Ocean, which boasts as close to the pre-industrial atmosphere as we can get anywhere on Earth – equivalent to the atmosphere up to 200 years ago. (And we have access to the polar research vessel, the R/V S.A. Agulhas II, which allows for research operations in these oceans)

The New Frontiers Research Award offers several benefits: its long-term nature (it is a five-year award) will allow for the building of impactful partnerships; it will promote integrated science, allowing for fieldwork that can be built into models that quantify the big picture for us; and, importantly, it will help scientific observationalists and modellers to connect and network.

Reducing nitrogen emissions may make the oceans’ CO₂ sink smaller, yet we cannot justify stopping nitrogen clean-ups. It’s possible that atmospheric pollution could have little impact on the oceans – or it could be massive. We just don’t know. So this needs to be understood and quantified; only then can we formulate appropriate environmental policy.

The integration between the atmosphere and the ocean is, from a scientific perspective, inherently global. So what we learn from the oceans around South Africa, a country that already punches above its weight in the climate space, will have bearing on our entire planet. This is a very exciting prospect.

Imagine once more that beach, the glare off the sand and the mewing gulls, and the scent of the sea air. It’s at an intersection that could provide us with some of the most fundamental learning ever of how our planet works – and, for better or worse, how we influence it.

Sources: Email Submission 

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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.

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After a little African Penguin and the unborn baby she’d been carrying were hit by a car in Simon’s Town, alarm bells raised for drivers to be more cautious. Thankfully, the penguin has successfully recovered.

Cape Town, South Africa (28 May 2025) — In March, a little African penguin was waddling at night when she was hit by a car in Simon’s Town (AKA, Penguin Town).

Luckily, a Simons Town local spotted the penguin’s trouble and quickly got the injured seabird out of the road and away from further harm’s way.

The penguin was taken to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) who care for seabirds in any and all realms of distress. Here, she became known as AP243 as her road to recovery began.

Following medication and X-rays, it was revealed that AP243 had actually been carrying an egg; her baby waiting to be laid.

After over a month of steady recovery work, SANCCOB has announced that not only has AP243 made a remarkable recovery, but she was also released!

Despite the many cheers for AP243 as she waddled away freely, sombre energy was also present as her egg, although laid, did not survive.

“We don’t know if AP243 will ever be able to carry another egg. We don’t know what the long-term effects of this trauma will be. And with the African Penguin population as low as it is, we simply can’t afford to lose a single breeding female,” the SANCCOB team said.

The recovery of AP243 is a reminder that incidents like seabirds being hit by a car simply shouldn’t happen. Conservationists are loudly calling for caution from motorists who find themselves in or near penguin-populated areas like Simons Town, especially as the seabird is classed as Critically Endangered.

“These seabirds cross roads to reach the ocean, and your caution could be the difference between life and death for them,’ SANCCOB said.

The same is true for all animals that have and continue to adapt to urbanisation in areas they either have always called home or those that they’ve been pushed toward due to the human-influenced spoiling of their natural surroundings. Animals like caracals, too, face great threats from cars, and efforts as simple as paying extra attention or slowing down for these animals are worth far more than being a few minutes late for wherever you’re heading.

Sources: Supplied

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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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After recently rewatching the Bee Movie, I was reminded just how much we all have to thank bees for! From the crops that are dependent on our buzzing friends to the ecological balance they help maintain, their bodies might be small but the responsibilities they carry are heavy! Here are some ways to say thank you by beeing better to the bees:

South Africa (20 May 2025) — Recently, I re-watched the Bee Movie. Beyond the joy of revisiting a childhood favourite again, watching the animation through the lens of my (more informed) adult eyes got me thinking: have we done enough since the movie came out in 2007? Did we take its main message to do with the importance of our buzzing friends seriously enough?

Earlier this year, news outlets cautioned the drastic decline of honeybees in certain parts of the world. Bees face trouble from pesticides, habitat loss, unsustainable farming methods and of course, climate change. However, in other parts of the world like portions of Asia and Africa, populations have been increasing, largely due to proactive efforts.

This paints a bigger picture for us that says ‘there’s still hope for our buzzing friends’, but more action needs to be taken and maintained.

Why does this all matter? Here are two massive reasons: Bees are responsible for food security! In fact, according to the University of Pretoria, they pollinate over 75% of the world’s leading food crops.

Secondly, their role as pollinators (including wild bees) is essential for plants to reproduce which greatly impacts broader ecosystems. Without the bees, plant diversity would take a nose-dive and food chains would turn on their head, impacting all sorts of wildlife.

Today marks World Bee Day around the world in which we celebrate the estimated 20,000 bee species on our planet. And so, its as good a time as ever for us to revaluate how we can all bee better.

Bee Better to Bees By:

1. Planting more indigenous flowers or trees.
2. Supporting local beekeepers by buying raw or organic products.
3. Buying from organic farmers; ones who do not use chemicals on their crops which impacts bees.
4. Trying to minimise artificial lighting after dark (this can impact bee’s abilities to navigate)
5. Helping bees in need with a sugar-water solution (equal parts water and granulated sugar left in a spoon near a tired bee).
6. Letting your lawn live, whether you go into a no-mow era (manicured lawns aren’t great for biodiversity) or let a small patch grow wild, you’ll be helping bees out.
7. Provide a home for solitary bees:

   Solitary bees, of which there are approximately 1,300 species in South Africa  live alone. If you build a bee and bug hotel, you create a haven for these incredible creatures and a few other beneficial insects!

   You will need: a rectangular piece of wood with several different sized holes bored into it, which mimics natural breeding nests and attracts solitary bees. They use the holes as a safe breeding place and, once they have laid their eggs, they store food for their youngsters, seal the entrance and leave.

You will find many DIY guides on YouTube, from using store-bought supplies to reclaiming and reusing things around the house.

Sources: GTG; Various (Linked Above)

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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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Endangered Species Day, observed on the third Friday in May every year, is a call to protect threatened species, a mission that lies at the heart of every team member at the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, working tirelessly every single day to look out for our endangered rhinos.

Mpumalanga, South Africa (20 May 2025) – Every year, the third Friday in May marks Endangered Species Day, a global initiative founded in 2006 by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition. This day unites thousands worldwide in celebrating, learning about, and actively working to protect threatened and endangered species.

For organisations like the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, the importance and urgency to protect, rescue, and rehabilitate our beloved horned creatures, who face the threat of injury and worse at the hands of relentless poachers, is a daily mission.

The black rhino remains critically endangered, but the team’s tireless efforts to monitor the wild for any creature in danger provide hope for the species.

One of the organisation’s most touching black rhino rescues is that of Andy, a calf born in the wild to two orphaned poaching survivors.

“When he developed a serious foot infection from a thorn, the team went to extraordinary lengths to treat him without breaking the bond with his mother.

“Each time, Andy was carefully darted in the veld, brought in for treatment, and returned to her side the very same day. Every act of care is a defiant stand against extinction, and together we can save a species,” Care for Wild shared.

This is just one example of how Care for Wild’s commitment goes beyond rescue and rehabilitation, showcasing their dedication to individual care and the preservation of natural bonds.

Just last week, too, the dedicated team came to the aid of a white rhino calf, orphaned and alone all the way in Southern Mozambique thanks to the coordination and dedication of multiple organisations.

At Care for Wild, Endangered Species Day isn’t just another day on the environmental calendar; it is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect vulnerable wildlife like Andy, Daisy and Hercules (to name just a few) and the ecosystems they depend on.

“We focus on long-term rewilding, habitat protection, and empowering local communities to become guardians of biodiversity. Every rhino we care for is a symbol of hope for their species and for the future of our planet.”

Sources: Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary

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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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World Rescue Dog Day is just around the corner, and if you’ve been deciding on adopting a pet or shopping for you, this is your sign to choose the former.

South Africa (19 May 2025) — As World Rescue Dog Day approaches on 20 May, animal welfare organisations from all over are calling on people to consider adopting rescue dogs instead of purchasing them.

With millions of animals in South Africa facing homelessness, adoption remains one of the most compassionate and impactful actions individuals can take!

The Pet Overpopulation Crisis

South Africa is one of many countries currently grappling with a serious pet overpopulation crisis. An estimated 4.05 million dogs and cats live without permanent homes, including 1.7 million stray dogs, 1.7 million stray cats, and over 650,000 animals housed in shelters.

These figures are compounded by socio-economic challenges such as poverty, limited access to veterinary services, and low public awareness about the benefits of adopting rescue animals.

When You Help a Rescue, You Help the Team Behind Them Too

“Animal shelters across the country need your help,” says Fiona Miles, Director at FOUR PAWS South Africa.

“They are overcrowded, under-resourced, and often overlooked. Every adoption not only changes the life of a rescued animal but also helps relieve the immense pressure shelters face daily.”

Rescue Dogs Cannot Be Chalked Down to ‘Problem Dogs’

Despite common misconceptions, many rescue dogs are just as loving, healthy, and loyal as animals bought from breeders or pet shops. Many find themselves in shelters through no fault of their own, often as a result of abandonment, abuse, or financial hardship faced by their previous owners.

While some rescues certainly come from traumatic circumstances, this is not to say that they are by any means a lost cause.

Animal welfare organisations all over South Africa work tirelessly to socialise animals and get them ready for life outside of the shelter!

Why Should You Adopt a Rescue Dog?

• Saving lives by providing a second chance to an animal in need.
• Fostering responsible pet ownership through education and support from shelter staff.
• Discouraging unethical breeding practices by reducing demand for commercially bred animals.
• Enriching your life with a loyal, grateful companion.

“By adopting a rescue dog, you are making a life-changing difference — not just for that one animal, but for the future of animal welfare in South Africa,” says Miles.

Sources: Supplied

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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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Recognising that girls face significant internal and external obstacles in accessing health, education, and livelihoods, Girl Effect works to connect them with vital information and resources while challenging societal norms.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 May 2025) – Girls have the power to achieve great things and do far more than what the world has previously told them they cannot. In the famous words of Beyonce, Girls Run the World.

It is this very belief in young women that powers the non-profit organisation, Girl Effect.

In the world we live in, especially in underserved communities, adolescent girls and young women face internal and external barriers that limit their control over their health, livelihoods, and education.

Recognising that harmful gender norms, systems, and policies still hold girls back, this innovative non-profit works to improve girls’ health, education, and livelihoods by connecting them to life-changing information and resources, thus breaking down barriers they face and unleashing their potential.

The charity also collaborates with girls, their families, and experts to create solutions that connect them to essential support and services.

Recently, Girl Effect joined the Department of Health, South African National Aids Council, Higher Health, and other partners at the ‘Close the Gap Higher Education’ event, which took place on Friday, 9 May, at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT).

The campaign aimed to connect young people with essential health services, encourage HIV testing and treatment, and help close the country’s significant treatment gap.

Girl Effect brought its experience in youth-centred communication, behaviour change, and media to help break down stigma and promote informed, confident decision-making among young people. Its focus was especially on adolescent girls and young women, who remain at higher risk of HIV infection and are often underserved by the health system.

Through its flagship programme, Jik’iZinto, Girl Effect connected young women with transformative health education and digital engagement, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

“Too often, young people face barriers, whether social, structural or emotional, that prevent them from seeking the healthcare they need,” said Dr Lisa Mulenga, Country Director of Girl Effect South Africa.

“At Girl Effect, we work to remove those barriers by creating platforms where young people can access accurate information, engage with relatable content, and feel supported in making decisions about their health.”

Organisations like Girl Effect are fostering hope for a future where young women have improved access to vital services, truly enabling them to achieve great things.

Sources: Supplied

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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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South African artist Marlene Dumas made history this week after her painting shattered a world auction record for a living female artist!

New York, USA (16 May 2025) — Jenny Saville’s record for the highest auction sale for a living female artist’s work was shattered this week in New York. A painting by South African artist Marlene Dumas knocked the previous record off its feet when the bids rose and rose and eventually sold for a cool $13.6 million (nearly R250 million).

As such, history has been made by Marlene and ‘Miss January’, the artist’s 1997 painting, which is now the visual for the new world record.

 

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A post shared by Christie’s (@christiesinc)

Marlene’s journey to such a monumental feat has been a long, winding and rich unfolding. The artist forayed into the art world by studying Fine Arts in Cape Town before heading to the Netherlands to attend Ateliers ’63 in Haarlem. In the 70s, Marlene began showcasing her work but was barely noticed at the time.

During the decades in between that time in which attention seemed so far away and now (where all eyes were on her work), Marlene built her skills as a painter, her knowledge in psychology, her reputation and her exhibition chops to become an award-winning artist who has showcased her work all over the world and in some of the most prestigious places.

However, the record she’s set extends far beyond herself. Cutting through the politics and economy of the art world, the news alone will undoubtedly give young female artists immense inspiration in their own creative pursuits.

While the art world is still largely dominated by deceased male artists in both the literature, fixations and numbers of it all, there’s something to be said about the female artists’ rise and a hope for the balancing of the scales in terms of whose work will be spoken about at length in a hundred years from now.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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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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This Casual Day is all about challenging perceptions and celebrating every person for everything they are. It’s a call to truly see, appreciate, acknowledge, and respect persons with disabilities as complete human beings – to look beyond the label that society gives them.

South Africa (15 May 2025) – The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) has announced its theme for this year’s Casual Day, and it’s rooted in what it stands for.

“Beyond the Label isn’t just our theme, it’s our revolution. It’s recognising that a person with a disability isn’t defined by what they can’t do, but celebrated for everything they can,” the NCPD shares.

Beyond the label = beyond the disability

More often than not, a person with a disability is identified by the disability and, if applicable, any visible assistive devices they may have. They are immediately seen as different and labelled accordingly.

As a result, the person is often defined by their disability rather than recognised and valued.

But, this is what the NCPD is continuously looking to change by initiating and engaging in initiatives that help instil the understanding that the strongest communities aren’t built on sameness, but on the beautiful complexity of our differences.

“With this theme, we are calling on the public to truly see, appreciate, acknowledge, and respect persons with disabilities as complete human beings, equal to all human beings and entitled to the same human rights and freedoms.

“This is a call to move beyond labels and perceptions that reduce a person to their disability. Beyond the label = beyond the disability,” the NCPD explains.

What to wear

Casual Day, the NCPD’s flagship awareness and fundraising project, is a widely celebrated national campaign that occurs annually in South Africa, this year on Friday, 5 September.

The public’s contribution of R20 for a Casual Day sticker entitles them to express their individual interpretation of the yearly theme through their outfits, showing their support for the full inclusion and equity of persons with disabilities.

This year’s signature colour is dynamic blue, and if you’re wondering what to wear this year, well, it could be just about anything that makes you feel unstoppable!

This could be that vintage band tee telling stories of concerts past, mismatched socks that make you smile or even a bold outfit that makes you feel unstoppable.

Whatever it is, you’re encouraged to wear what makes you feel like the boldest, bravest version of yourself – because when you step out in confidence, you help create a world where others feel seen, included, and celebrated!

If you’re too shy to rock your boldest outfit, your Casual Day Sticker will do just as well because every sticker and supporter item you purchase directly benefits disability organisations across South Africa, making a real difference.

Casual Day merchandise

Merchandise for this iconic initiative is made and supplied by persons with disabilities, marking a significant step toward inclusivity and empowerment.

Casual Day T-shirts, caps, or bucket hats to stand out loud and proud on Casual Fridays leading up to Casual Day and can be purchased here.

When you go Beyond the Label, you help create a South Africa where everyone belongs, not despite our differences, but because of them.

So, why not go ahead and wear what makes you uniquely you? Because the most casual thing you can do is, change someone’s life.

Sources: National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities

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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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It’ll soon be the most flirtatious time of the year for owls; which means there will be many more birds out on the prowl seeking dates and mates. Here’s why you’ll want to keep an eye out for the owls this winter.

South Africa (14 May 2025) — Spring might be for new life, but winter is when many animals get cozy enough to make the magic happen. In the owl world, ‘Netflix and chill’ season approaches, and in the human world, we might just find ourselves in the midst of a few owls out on the prowl looking for mates. Keep an eye out, because you might just meet an owl in trouble (and not because their date went south).

Recently, the fantastic team of animal heroes at FreeMe Wildlife shared word of an owl that had been grounded in Rosetta.

Thanks to the kind-hearted Tiffany, the owl (said to have been in a dire state due to mites and a lack of nutrition) is now in the care of the FreeMe Wildlife team and on the road to recovery.

“As our local owl species get ready for their winter breeding seasons, there is a lot more activity going on. Young owls are looking for mates, established pairs are calling to renew bonds and announce territories, females are settling on eggs and males are out hunting for two,” the team explain.

As such, it would serve all animal lovers well to keep our heads turned for owls who might be grounded, stuck in sticky situations after an ambitious hunt or ones who have chosen to nest in human-made spaces (owls breed and nest in enclosed spaces, which could mean a hole in your garden’s tree in better cases, or a mine shaft in not-so-great cases.

Encounter an Owl in Trouble? Here’s What to Do

Firstly, assess the situation; you’ll want to observe the bird before acting hastily. If the owl does not fly away after a short while after say, hunting, there could be a problem.

If you can get close and see that the owl appears injured or sick, you’ll want to contact:

• FreeMeWildlife (033 330 3036),
• The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (071 248 1514),
• The Owl Rescue Centre (082 719 5463)
• or other wildlife-focused organisations near you to help.

Even if you can’t see any immediate injuries, but notice that the bird is not flying away, rather chat to the teams to be safe.

Sources: Various (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 & 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.

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Through a powerful hashtag and an informative campaign, the South Africans with Diabetes organisation is proving that diabetes affects all kinds of different people and that there is absolutely no reason to be weird about it or ashamed to be living with it.

South Africa (14 May 2025) – Everyone knows the depressing South African diabetes statistics, it could even seem a little hopeless, but the Sweetlife Diabetes Community, are doing their best to help break down the stigma around diabetes.

They are doing this through their newly launched #DiabetesLooksLikeMe campaign.

“Diabetes stigma might seem like a minor problem – people making bad jokes about getting diabetes or acting weird around injections.

“But the reality is that South Africa has a huge diabetes stigma problem, and it’s contributing to the fact that one in two South Africans with diabetes are undiagnosed. Which contributes directly to the fact that diabetes is the number one killer of women and number 2 killer of men in our country,” Sweetlife shares.

Through #DiabetesLooksLikeMe, Sweetlife from this week will be using the power of social media for good by sharing a video showcasing that diabetes comes to every kind of person, regardless of age, gender, race or socio-economic background.

“Alongside this, we’re inviting people with diabetes to share a selfie on today, 14 May with the hashtag #DiabetesLooksLikeMe so that we can flood social media with images of all different kinds of people with diabetes.”

The organisation has also compiled an easy-to-understand one-page Diabetes fact sheet and informative articles with expert input from psychologist Daniel Sher available on the website to help curb misinformation regarding the disease.

As part of the campaign, people living with diabetes are also invited to share their stories of stigma on Facebook and Instagram, as well as by joining the Sweetlife Diabetes Community in a Facebook Live on their page on Wednesday, 28 May at 7pm.

“It will be a discussion between psychologist Daniel Sher and Sweet Life co-founder Bridget McNulty, both living with diabetes, in which they welcome questions and comments from the broader diabetes community. Everyone is invited!”

There’s never been a better time to help break the diabetes stigma. Join the discussion and movement today!

Sources: Supplied

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 & 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 Sweetlife Launches #DiabetesLooksLikeMe Campaign to Shatter Stigma in SA appeared first on Good Things Guy.