Koru Camp just doubled its reach, bringing thousands of children and elders face to face with the wildlife on their doorsteps and inspiring the next generation to fall in love with nature and to protect it.

Greater Kruger, South Africa (29 May 2025) – One of my favourite traditions when entering the Kruger National Park is to play the ‘first animal game’. Everyone picks the animal they hope to see first, and the person who spots it wins. I am a champion at this game, winning it almost every time we visit. It is such a simple thing and yet, it makes me one of the very few privileged people who gets to do it. Hundreds of thousands of people who live on the outskirts of the park don’t have the opportunity to experience the joys of spotting the first animal. But at Koru Camp, that’s changing!

Koru Camp was founded by Peter Eastwood in 2022 as a way to connect children and gogos in the Greater Kruger to the wildlife that they live so very close to. Corné Havenga joined Peter as the CEO in 2023, helping drive the idea to invite local NPOs and school groups to stay at the Big Five camp, where they get to immerse themselves in nature, guided by trained rangers and trackers, who teach them all the wonders of the wild world.

They get to stay overnight in comfortable tents, listening to the hyena laugh as the lions roar in the distance. The children are shown how richly their heritage is intertwined with the animals being protected by the high electric fences.

This connection, from a young age, is the hope for conservation in the future as these bright young minds learn just how important it is to protect the animals, to bring an end to poaching and to celebrate the harmony of human life and animal life. They are destined to become the conservationists of our future.

Koru Camp Launches Revamped Educational Facility to Deepen Community Conservation

Koru Camp is unveiling its newly renovated, off-grid facility on the 3rd of June 2025. With over R13 million invested, the upgrades will allow the camp to double its reach, hosting over 2,000 local beneficiaries per year. The improvements include solar-powered infrastructure, new classrooms, improved accommodation, and a medicinal garden.

The camp, the first of its kind in the region, is celebrating this relaunch and hopes to make an even greater impact in the surrounding communities.

The relaunch event will feature local entertainment, art showcases from the children who will benefit from the camp, and a special appearance by explorer Kingsley Holgate. Koru’s mission is simple: to inspire a love for nature because people protect what they understand and cherish.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of Peter Eastwood, who, like so many before him, visited South Africa and fell deeply in love with its people, its wild spaces and the spirit of Ubuntu. Peter, a New Zealand businessman, first took action when he heard the plight of the Rhino in 2007. He was driven to act and started raising funds to support anti-poaching units.

Through his work, he realised that lasting impact comes not only from fighting poachers but through conservation education and connecting people to the animals and environment around them; that change requires a widespread shift in perspectives through education, inclusion, and firsthand experiences in nature. He saw that people protect what they love, and love comes from understanding and experiences.

Peter has committed a great deal to making Koru Camp a meaningful success. His private camp, Sashwa – River of Stars, known for its tranquillity, is a retreat like no other in the Limpopo region. It offers a connection to nature for guests and those looking to take part in green tourism that truly makes a difference. The camp, which boasts a fully plant-based menu (Koru has a vegetarian menu), hosts yoga sessions on its deck, overlooking the beautiful bush. It connects people who want to make meaningful travel choices, knowing the money they spend goes back into the community.

Since launching Sashwa in November 2024, Peter has committed 100% of its profits to the running of Koru Camp, making both camps all the more meaningful, not only through the educational elements, but through employment too. Both camps are rooting themselves deep within the fabric of the community, determined to make a difference that lasts.

You can learn more about Sashwa and their exclusive launch rates here, and as for Koru Camp, you can find out how to support the initiative here. Each has a unique story to tell, but one is not whole without the other.

Sources: GTG Interview

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If teaching is a calling, then Angelique West has answered it beautifully! In the sweetest video you’ll see today, she shares a heartwarming moment with her class, revealing her absolute favourite student.

Cape Town, South Africa (29 May 2025) – We all have at least one teacher who touched our lives and holds a special place in our memories. Whether it was their words of encouragement, fun activities or excellent teaching style, there is that one particular Miss, Mrs or Mr who had a lasting impression and made schooling an enjoyable experience.

One Grade 5 teacher who is quite likely that for her young pupils is Angelique West.

In an adorably cute video shared on her Instagram, Angelique captured a wholesome moment in which she told her pupils that she had printed out a photo of her favourite student in the class.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Juffrou Angelique (@juffrouangelique)

She proceeded to get the young pupils to go to her one at a time as she showed them the “photo” of the favourite student strategically placed in a box on her lap.

The children, though their faces mostly blurred for their security, were all seen gushing and smiling as they each had a moment to take a look into the box.

It was only at the end of the video that Angelique revealed that it was actually a mirror placed in the box the whole time, not an actual photo. So, when each child came to see who the “favourite” was, it was themselves they saw in the reflection – how cute?!

The creatively wholesome gesture didn’t just make the children smile, but us and the rest of Angelique’s online audience too! It speaks so much to the importance of having a teacher who sees and appreciates her pupils as special individuals who add value to her life as much as she does theirs.

The video has won over thousands of hearts online, with people calling Angelique an awesome teacher and a true inspiration who is helping build children.

“I hope you looked a few times [in the mirror], too. Teachers are amazing,” one user commented.

A truly special moment, thoughtfully created by a truly special teacher. You’ve just got to love it!

Sources: Juffrou Angelique

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An engaging experience awaited a group of primary school learners as they explored shark behaviour and ocean safety using a variety of interactive tools and games designed for fun and learning by the Shark Spotters team.

Muizenberg, South Africa (28 May 2025) – There’s no better time to learn about nature and its fascinating inner workings than when you’re young and eager.

That is exactly why the Shark Spotters educational team opened the doors to its Information Centre in Muizenberg to the Grade 6 learners from Spine View Primary School for an exciting and educational programme about sharks and ocean safety!

The programme was designed to introduce the youngsters to the fascinating world of shark ecology, with a special focus on shark behaviour.

“Using fun, hands-on tools like shark puppets and real shark specimens, such as jaws, skin, and egg cases, the learners got to see, touch, and explore these incredible creatures up close,” Shark Spotters said.

Learners then dived into a lesson on shark and ocean safety, including a demonstration of how spotting works and the important tools spotters use.

“To test their knowledge, the learners played the Race to Build the Flag game, working together to build all four Shark Spotters flags using puzzle pieces and teamwork.”

In an effort to make sure the young minds were also guided and informed about how to keep safe near the ocean, they also received a featured a practical session by the NSRI on drowning prevention and how to perform CPR.

“This gave the learners important lifesaving knowledge and the confidence to take responsibility for their own safety in and around the water.

“We wrapped up the day with energetic group games like tug of war and grab the cone, bringing big smiles and lots of laughter all around!”

If those bright eyes and wide smiles are anything to go by, it’s safe to say it was certainly an epic day of enviro-learning!

Sources: Shark Spotters

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Today is World Menstrual Hygiene Day, and to honour the movement, media personality and devoted father of three girls, TT Mbha, is visiting Johannesburg schools in bright pink overalls, leveraging his platform to bring dignity to underprivileged schoolgirls.

Johannesburg, South Africa (28 May 2025) – We’ve shared many stories about the incredible humans and heroes championing a world where period poverty is but a distant memory in our country.

Today, in commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, we share the touching efforts of media personality, entrepreneur and father of three girls, TT Mbha, who has used his connections to distribute sanitary pads to underprivileged school girls.

In a video he posted earlier today, he is seen sporting bright pink overalls and pink sneakers as he dances happily before the camera and is soon joined by two of his daughters whom he shares what he’ll be getting up to.

As part of the massive global movement to address period poverty and foster a period-friendly world, TT will be playing his part by repainting girls’ restrooms and donating 1,500 sanitary packs to underprivileged Grade 4 to 12 girls at JS Mpanza Primary School in Diepkloof and Emshukantambo Secondary School in Pimville.

TT also added that this was also a call to girl dads to talk to their daughters about periods and menstruation from as early as the age of seven.

His post and efforts received love online as social media users commended how TT was going above and beyond to address a prevalent issue in many communities and helping restore the confidence and dignity of many young girls who often have nowhere to turn to when “that time of the month” comes.

We don’t need superpowers to make the world a better place. Kind hearts and acts of pure compassion can make the real impact our society so desperately needs.

Thanks for demonstrating this so well, TT. Know that your efforts are supported and appreciated!

Sources: TT Mbha

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Megan Kilian’s natural charm and “just being herself” during an audition workshop in Johannesburg wowed filmmakers, and now she’s playing a version of herself in a documentary set in a future where the worst predictions from the Paris Agreement have come true!

Mossel Bay, South Africa (28 May 2025) – At just 13 years old, Megan Kilian has landed the incredible opportunity of being selected from a group of 60 children to feature in a European science fiction documentary!

Even though she had no prior acting experience, Megan’s naturally engaging presence and spontaneity during auditions in Johannesburg made her a perfect fit for the role.

The film, titled World of Walls has been directed by Slovakian filmmaker Lucia Kasova and explores life in a near-future ecological crisis – a world where the worst predictions from the Paris Agreement have come true.

Set in a world devastated by environmental collapse, World of Walls follows the coming-of-age journey of 13-year-old children from different backgrounds. The story examines how global inaction on climate change has reshaped childhood and forced young people to confront extreme weather, resource shortages, and migration for survival.

South Africa itself became a bit of a co-star, as the production team chose the country for its real-world parallels to the film’s imagined setting, including power outages and water scarcity, elements which mirror what many scientists predict could become widespread elsewhere if global temperatures continue to rise.

Filming began in Johannesburg, where Megan attended Midstream Ridge Primary School. After her family relocated to Mossel Bay in June 2024, the production was adapted to accommodate the move, with scenes rewritten to follow her story, Curro explains.

“Since it’s a documentary, we don’t have to learn lines,” Megan says.

“We just act naturally and make up our own dialogue as we go. It’s been a lot of fun.”

The film will launch in 2026 across several European countries, including France, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. The trailer has already garnered recognition at FIPADOC in France, a prestigious international documentary film festival.

Sources: Curro

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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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400 Tons of Glass (over. 1.2 million bottles and jars) successfully avoided landfills thanks to learners across South Africa!

South Africa (28 May 2025) — In a world where environmental red flags continue to present themselves, and people find themselves feeling hopeless in wondering whether their actions as individuals will even make a difference, a great example hails from South African learners. Enough individuals came together as part of a powerful initiative to collect 400 tons of glass; putting more than 1.2 million bottles and jars into the circular economy and away from landfills!

The effort has been dubbed ‘glass acts of greatness’ by the Glass Recycling Company, which initiated the flagship environmental education initiative. The 2024 results are the work of learners across the country; each of whom came together to become teams of change-makers.

Spotlight: Laerskool Kabega

Laerskool Kabega in Gqeberha stood strong as the champions of the initiative; collecting over 43,000 kgs of glass that earned them the coveted title of 2024 Overall National Winner. The school also earned cash prizes for their efforts.

“Glass recycling has had a huge impact on our school,” reflects Kabega teacher Adele Botha. The school first participated in the TGRC School Competition in 2017, and ever since have put their efforts toward becoming champion recyclers.

The financial incentives have helped the schools grow too, sustainably.

“All the money earned through our glass recycling through the years have been put back into improving our school grounds. Through the years we have bought and installed water tanks, we have planted grass along the embankments and sport fields, we have bought picnic tables and benches from recycled plastic to make break times better for our learners.”

Adele adds:

“Through the competition our learners have had the opportunity to do science expo projects, they learn about the circular economy and how we save energy through glass recycling. Recycling glass has bound our teachers, learners and families together by giving us a shared goal.”

But, it takes unity to make the magic happen.

“Without whole school involvement and our support staff, in particular, we would not have been able to sustain and grow the project successfully each year.”

2024 Schools Recap

The top-performing province was KwaZulu-Natal. Learners collected an impressive 108,608kgs of glass (around 18 elephants weight-wise), followed by the Eastern Cape with 106,202 kilograms (just under 18 elephants), Gauteng with 92,693 kilograms (15 elephants) and the Western Cape with 87,318 kilograms (14 elephants).

Here’s a brief breakdown of the top schools as well as how much they earned in prizes:

Eastern Cape:

• Laerskool Kabega: 43,058 kg and R30,000
• Little Eagles Play & Pre-School: 15,799 kg and R20,00
• Morewag Primary School: 11,805 kg and R10,000

Gauteng:

• Gereformeerde Skool Dirk Postma: 15,014 kg and R30,000
• St. Paulus Pre-and Primary School: 13,938 kg and R20,000
• Over the Moon Childcare Centre: 7,843 kg and R10,000

KwaZulu-Natal:

• Isnembe Secondary School:  26,846 kg and R30,000
• Kloof Senior Primary School: 16,905 kg and R20,000
• Kloof Junior Primary School: 14,877 kg and R10,000

Western Cape:

• Kenridge Primary School: 27,770 kg and R30,000
• Bergvliet Primary School: 24,471 kg and R20,000
• Observatory Junior School: 5,880 kg and R10,000

Timeless Glass

Glass is one of the most effective recyclable products because it will always be recyclable. It can be melted and re-moulded an infinite amount of times without losing its purity or quality!

You can find out more about participating in this year’s Glass Recycling Competition, 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 & 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 400 Tons of Glass Evade Landfills Thanks to Learners appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Juffrou Angie is the Brackenfell High School Afrikaans teacher who’s truly cracked the code to get high schoolers excited about learning!

Brackenfell, South Africa (27 April 2025) – Not many teachers are able to get high schoolers excited for class, but Angelique van Biljon just has a lekker knack for it!

The Afrikaans Brackenfell High School teacher has been praised by those who know her as a passionate educator who has developed interesting ways of building excitement for the Afrikaans language. And if you don’t believe us, you might want to check out her impressive educational TikTok account for proof!

Good Things Guy got to connect with Angelique, who shared all about her love for teaching the Afrikaans language and going viral on the popular app.

Angelique, affectionately known as Juffrou Angie, has been teaching for 18 years, and it was all inspired by her two Grade 12 teachers who had a lasting impact on her long after school.

“It was my Grade 12 English teacher who actually motivated me to become a teacher. But it was only at a later stage when teaching that I really knew this is exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Angelique shares.

For her, teaching is more than just a profession or simply about giving lessons to youngsters; it’s about making her pupils feel safe and welcome in her classroom while instilling values of respect and dignity.

“Because if a child enjoys being somewhere, they also get excited for a lesson,” she says.

And it is this very mindset of keeping learners engaged that has seen her develop interesting ways to connect with them, including her fun TikTok account.

“I had a colleague who asked me for the meaning of an Afrikaans word, and I loved the word. I then decided one morning to make a quick video while asking my Grade 8s if they knew what the word meant, and took a gamble loading it on TikTok.

“The first video was loaded in February 2025. This video was the start of our inserts on TikTok, and the kids really look forward to their 3-minute recording at the end of each lesson.”

On her platform, Angelique features content that offers lessons on Woord van die dag (Word of the day), Idiom van die dag (Idiom of the day), Storietyd (Storytime), Mamma-dinge (mom advice), Die sie klein bederfies (the little spoils she receives) and Ondersteun besighede (showcasing businesses she supports or products she enjoys).

While she still considers herself new to the whole TikTok movement, Juffrou Angie has already made quite a hit on the internet, with her most viewed videos about lessons on the words Koggelgewrig (a ball-joint) and Kwakslawer (an unconventional doctor or one with a questionable reputation) sitting at an impressive 381K and 118K views respectively.

Ultimately, her goal is to inspire a love for the Afrikaans language, no matter if it’s a home language or an additional language.

Her joy is in seeing her learners grasp concepts and having fun while doing so.

“What I love most about my job is teaching the youngsters who will one day change the world. I love hearing them laugh and getting excited when grasping a topic. I love the excitement when reading a story, and each pupil in class reacts positively to the story. I love being a teacher. I love teaching my pupils.”

We’re huge fans of your work, Juffrou! With such a dedicated and passionate teacher, your learners are undoubtedly set for success.

Sources: Nothando Mthembu | Angelique van Biljon

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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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Nobody wants to fail. Failure is soul-crushing and awfully disappointing. But Inamandla Gumede picked herself up time after time, four times, in fact, and has proven that failure isn’t the end but can be a stepping stone to greater achievements.

Durban, South Africa (27 May 2025) – Life’s highs, lows; achievements and growing pains come in waves. And as much as many of us may favour the wins over the losses, there is so much to admire about a person who can pick themselves up from a dark place of defeat and momentary failure, to go on to push forward and come out better than before.

Sharing her personal testimony of overcoming failure was recent Master’s graduate, Inamandla Saphiwokuhle Gumede.

In a raw and real Facebook post, Inamandla opened up about the devastation of not finding her name and details in the newspaper when matric results were results were released back in January 2014.

“I felt ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed. Mostly, I was in disbelief! I never considered myself to be below average, as far as I’m concerned, I was a smart girl,” Inamandla shared.

Her takeaway from that emotionally gutting experience was that when you fall, you have two options: to either stay down or get up.

“I chose to get up!

“Now what I wasn’t prepared for was how long it would take me to get up,” she admitted.

Inamandla went on to upgrade her matric not once, not twice, not even three times, but four times, all in an effort to achieve her desired results; a challenging yet worthwhile journey to getting back on track with her studies and reclaiming her future.

“When I finally got my breakthrough in 2019, I worked HARD!!!

“Today, a journey that began with constant failure is a journey that has ended with a master’s graduate!! Me! Inamandla Saphiwokuhle Gumede, I HAVE A MASTER’S DEGREE,” exclaimed a proud Inamandla.

Her story speaks of the reality of delays and detoured paths to achieving some of the dreams we long to desperately achieve, but it also speaks to how, with the right amount of perseverance, those dreams are not just attainable but can even be exceeded!

Sources: Inamandla Saphiwokuhle Gumede

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South African teacher Nadine Smith has been awarded internationally for her efforts in STEM education. One of four global recipients, the educator was the sole African awardee.

Global (27 May 2025) — South African teacher Nadine Smith is a Coding and Robotics educator who recently made the local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field enormously proud when she was honoured with a prestigious award. Nadine was awarded the 025 EDGE in Tech Athena Award for Early Career Leadership!

Awarded by the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS) at the University of California, Nadine was honoured as part of a unique ceremony at UC Berkeley.

The South African teacher was the only recipient from Africa and one of just four global recipients of the award.

Nadine’s accolade celebrates individuals who are leading the charge in creating technology ecosystems that are more diverse, equitable and impactful.

“I believe every child deserves to see themselves in STEAM,” Nadine says. STEAM encompasses STEM fields but with the addition of art.

“Through coding and robotics, I strive to ignite confidence, curiosity, and creativity in learners, especially those who don’t yet realise they belong in tech. This award is not just a personal milestone, but a reminder of the importance of creating inclusive learning spaces where all young minds can dream, build and lead,” she says.

Beyond leading initiatives, Nadine also trains fellow teachers in integrating emerging technologies.

“It is incredibly important to recognise the people doing the difficult work of expanding access to essential tech fields,” explains Jill Finlayson, the Managing Director of the CITRIS Innovation Hub (which oversees the awards).

“Those who champion on-ramps into STEM, fair workplaces and welcoming cultures are critical to the development of innovative technologies and help ensure that new solutions will work well for everyone.”

Sources: Supplied 

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A South African forensic artist is on a rare mission: conserving ancient rock art by replicating it millimetre by millimetre.

South Africa (27 May 2025) – Stephen Townley Bassett is a forensic artist on a unique mission. Millimetre by millimetre, Stephen recreates rock art found across ancient caves in Southern Africa; symbols, thoughts, depictions and perhaps even spiritual inklings left behind by the ancient ones years and years ago.

His mission is to conserve the rock art panel by panel with hopes that his recreations of each one can either restore a former master piece, help researchers, uncover more about why the works were created, and allow these works to become more accessible in their replicated form.

Recently, Stephen was spotlighted to the world thanks to a CNN feature (his latest moment in front of the world, having been featured in documentaries before). In the piece, the Cape Town-born forensic artist explains his meticulous process, his ‘why’ and how it all began.

Fascinatingly, Stephen only works with mediums that people like the San would’ve had access to. This is how he’s figured out which materials help enhance certain colours (for example, white raptor feces and ostrich eggshells heated by fire make that white pigment) and how he’s come to the suspicion that a bee bi-product helped make a kind glue used to stick animal hairs that created an ancient brush.

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A post shared by Stephen Townley Bassett (@stephen_townley_bassett_art)

For Stephen, it is a matter of protecting the rich cultural heritage that lies within caves. With decades of experience and a diligence like no other, the forensic artist’s efforts are the kind all of us can salute, especially in a world where natural challenges, vandalism and a flair of arrogance in thinking all of history has already been figured out threaten the legacy of generations upon generations before.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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