Motivation Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/motivation/ Wed, 28 May 2025 13:50:25 +0000 en-ZA hourly 1 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-gtg_favicon-32x32.png Motivation Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/motivation/ 32 32 Greg Bertish Shares Overcoming 200 Days in Hospital and Guiding Kids to Hope https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/greg-bertish-hope-one-sail-at-a-time/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/greg-bertish-hope-one-sail-at-a-time/#respond Thu, 29 May 2025 13:00:16 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=152346

After battling a life-threatening bacterial illness, which saw him spend nearly 200 days in the hospital, Greg Bertish’s journey of recovery was fuelled by optimism and a deep connection to...

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After battling a life-threatening bacterial illness, which saw him spend nearly 200 days in the hospital, Greg Bertish’s journey of recovery was fuelled by optimism and a deep connection to the ocean. This resilience, born from his own fight for survival, transformed into a powerful mission to help many young lives.

 

Cape Town, South Africa (29 May 2025) – Author, adventurer and founder of The Little Optimist Trust, Greg Bertish, is one of those individuals who, after hearing their story, makes you stop and ponder at how unattainable the human spirit truly is.

Back in 2007, Greg spent nearly 200 days in the hospital battling a life-threatening bacterial illness, which, after being misdiagnosed and operated on several times, he thankfully overcame.

Through optimism and his love for the ocean, the multiple heart surgery survivor found a way to survive and reclaim his life in a profound way that has touched countless lives throughout the years.

In 2016, he undertook an extraordinary challenge to sail in a tiny children’s dinghy over 200km in the open ocean, 1km for every day he spent in the hospital.

His mission was to prove that small people can do huge things, a message that has resonated with countless patients, children and supporters. He raised over R300,000 for the new ICU at the Red Cross Children’s Memorial Hospital. That effort later resulted in raising over R1 million to renovate and paint the unit.

The Little Optimist Trust, led by Greg, now renovates and paints under-resourced health and education facilities all over South Africa.

Beyond structural revamps, the organisation brings hope to children in hospitals, shelters, and disadvantaged communities by using sailing therapy, storytelling and educational support to instil resilience, confidence and the ability to dream beyond their circumstances.

During a recent conversation on the Our Voice, Our Future podcast by Breadline Africa, Greg spoke about how the ocean was his lifeline, as a young boy who was often bullied, a Springbok paddleboarder and as a survivor of a life-threatening illness.

“Everything good in my life has come from a link to the ocean or the water,” he said.

Helping little people do huge things

Today, he uses what helped him heal to heal others – sailing as a therapeutic tool to children in under-resourced communities, instilling resilience, confidence and the ability to dream beyond their circumstances.

Greg has found that sailing transcends all socio-economic factors for children of different backgrounds. Whether they are facing a serious illness, poverty at home or bullying at school, when they’re in the dinghy, they gain new skills, self-confidence, independence and pride through accomplishment.

His advice to youngsters going through rough patches, difficult circumstances, or just trying to find their feet is rooted in believing in themselves.

“There is no one person, there is no one place. There is nothing that says you are not as good as someone else. Don’t worry about why you are not as good as other people. You will find something that you are better at than all of them.

“And if you believe and you don’t give up on your dreams however silly they might seem, follow what you love doing and realise how special you are, one day you’ll do something that you love, its going to benefit you and your life is going to be so much better and more enriched.”


Sources: Breadline Africa | The Little Optimist Trust
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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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How Inamandla Turned Matric Failure into a Masterful Comeback https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/inamandla-turned-matric-failure-into-a-masterful-comeback/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/inamandla-turned-matric-failure-into-a-masterful-comeback/#respond Tue, 27 May 2025 14:00:58 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=152332

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...

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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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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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Cancer Survivor’s Celebration Unites Strangers in a Heartfelt Feast of Life https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/cancer-survivor-celebration-unites-strangers/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/cancer-survivor-celebration-unites-strangers/#respond Sun, 25 May 2025 06:00:15 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=151782

An inspiring cancer survivor, Vanessa Perumal, has touched our hearts after celebrating 5 years of being cancer-free by opening her home and her heart to strangers touched by her journey...

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An inspiring cancer survivor, Vanessa Perumal, has touched our hearts after celebrating 5 years of being cancer-free by opening her home and her heart to strangers touched by her journey or navigating their own challenges.

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (25 May 2025) – It’s been a remarkable five years since cancer survivor, Vanessa Perumal, fought her bravest battle. Though she may have lost her vocal cords, she discovered how deeply communication and connection extend beyond words.

Vanessa chose to celebrate five years of being cancer-free in one of the most unconventional yet profound ways, by opening her home to strangers.

With a spontaneous invitation sent across diverse channels just 36 hours before her celebration on 13 May, Vanessa soon found herself breaking bread, celebrating the gift of life and good health among nearly three dozen people, some of whom she had never even met before.

In a video, Vanessa showcased how her home became the warmest and most inviting space for people, either touched by her journey or going through their own struggles and needing some form of human support.

“Humans deserve and need each other, not just virtually but also meeting in real life, Vanessa shared in her post.

Reflecting on the special night, which touched her soul far deeper than she had imagined it would, Vanessa said the experience revealed five profound lessons to her:

  1. Strangers will show up for you
  2. Community is right next door
  3. Memories matter. Create them in real life
  4. COVID-19 left scars we sometimes forget
  5. Food, laughter, and love are universal healers

“I’m dreaming now of bringing more people together—those who prayed for me, supported me, and even those I’ve yet to meet. Because life is precious, and community is everything,” Vanessa shares.

Vanessa’s unexpectedly beautiful evening offers a heartwarming reminder of how precious life is and how the intangible and invaluable moments it so generously offers are those to cherish the most.

So, why not share a meal with someone special, extend an act of kindness or try something completely out of your comfort zone to make your soul (or someone else’s) smile a little?


Sources: Vanessa Perumal
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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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Schalk Bezuidenhout’s Hilarious Take on ‘Comrades Fortune Cookies’ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/fun/schalk-bezuidenhouts-comrades-fortune-cookie/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/fun/schalk-bezuidenhouts-comrades-fortune-cookie/#respond Sun, 18 May 2025 12:00:33 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=151407

South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout is training for his first-ever Comrades. And, he’s learnt a lot from the utility of the word ‘tapering’ when you don’t know what else to...

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South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout is training for his first-ever Comrades. And, he’s learnt a lot from the utility of the word ‘tapering’ when you don’t know what else to say to the wise sages of Comrades past who seem to relish in acting as vague as a fortune cookie of fear and advice. Watch Schalk’s hilarious take on it all:

 

South Africa (18 May 2025) — South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout is among the many rookie racers preparing to take on the upcoming Comrades Marathon for the very first time. And, amid the many lessons Schalk has learned (like how far 80kms actually is and why the word ‘tapering’ is a fast ticket to sounding like you know what you’re talking about in a group of runners), he’s also interacted with the ‘Comrades Fortune Cookies’.

A Comrades ‘Fortune Cookie’ is someone who has completed the race and proceeds to give a rookie runner vague, alarming, and somewhat riddled advice, including (but not limited to) “After halfway, you find out who you truly are.”

Schalk recently made some updates on his training, with a video dedicated entirely to the ‘Comrades Fortune Cookies’ and their scary warnings.

“They will make it their mission to put the fear of God in you. They’ll go, ‘oh is it your first Comrades?’ and you go, ‘yeah no it’s my first one, I’m very excited’. And they’ll go (with an expression as if they’ve just seen a ghost), “I remember my first one… good luck, that’s all I can say. Good luck. And then they run into a bush and disappear forever,” remarks Schalk. 

The comedian even hilariously compared these sages to Dumbledore from Harry Potter, who never really let the kid know what was actually going on but made sure to give vague warnings at a whim.

Watch: People Who Have Done the Comrades Before, Please Stop Scaring Us


Sources: Schalk Bezuidenhout 
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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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Book Review: Brave Like Me, Teaching Children to Use Their Voices https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/brave-like-me-teaches-children-use-voices/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/brave-like-me-teaches-children-use-voices/#respond Fri, 16 May 2025 12:00:06 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=150668

A father’s love shines in Brave Like Me, a local children’s book that teaches lessons of courage, standing up for one’s beliefs and honouring family.   South Africa (16 May...

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A father’s love shines in Brave Like Me, a local children’s book that teaches lessons of courage, standing up for one’s beliefs and honouring family.

 

South Africa (16 May 2025) – Zulaikha Patel has penned a book about growing up and learning to be brave. Through lessons taught by her father, she finds her voice and becomes the activist she is today. The children’s book is beautifully illustrated by South African artist Nicci Martin and depicts some of Zulaikha’s most cherished life lessons.

The quick but empowering read is the perfect addition to your little one’s library if you hope to teach them to lean on family, trust in their voice and fight for their beliefs. Available in English, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans and Zulaikha’s home language, isiNdebele, the book has the power to reach into many South African homes.

The true story is based on twenty-two-year-old Zulaikha Patel’s journey into activism at the age of 13 when she started a movement called Stop Racism at Pretoria High School for Girls because the rules at her high school included that black girls had to straighten their naturally curly hair. Her stance sparked a countrywide movement.

But before she could spark a national movement, she had to lean on her father, who helped her overcome her fears and her bullies.

This is the second book from the budding young author; her first, My Coily Crowny Hair, published in 2021 which is helping girls to learn to love their natural hair and themselves.

About Zulaikha and her activism journey

While studying for an undergraduate LLB degree at the University of South Africa, she started a non-profit organisation called Dare to Change to inspire youth to change the world around them. The non-profit is focused on three pillars: education, activism and literacy, with the latter the hope of setting up library corners at under-resourced schools in rural areas and townships.

Zulaikha has a number of awards under her belt, including Youngest on BBC 100 Women List (2016), Panache Women of Wonder Award (2021) and a Young Activists Summit laureate (2022), to name just a few.

Today, when she isn’t using her voice to empower little ones through literacy, she is speaking up for causes close to her heart.

If you would like to learn more about this book, visit its website here. It is also available at all major literary retailers and online.

Interested in more proudly South African books? You can find more of our book reviews here.


Sources: Book Supplied for Review
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.

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Profmed’s Season 2 of Savvy with Samke Has Been A Hit With Professionals https://www.goodthingsguy.com/advertorial/profmed-savvy-season-2-success/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/advertorial/profmed-savvy-season-2-success/#respond Thu, 15 May 2025 06:00:30 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=150667

Savvy with Samke season two has been filled with deeply motivational conversations, inspiring not only Profmed clients but general viewers, too! The team is excited about the release of the...

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Savvy with Samke season two has been filled with deeply motivational conversations, inspiring not only Profmed clients but general viewers, too! The team is excited about the release of the season finale today.

 

South Africa (15 May 2025) – Powerful and inspiring conversations were the focus in Season 2 of Profmed’s “Savvy with Samke”; season finale viewers will get to learn valuable lessons about the dos and don’ts of social media. The final episode of Savvy with Samke, released today, focuses on how to build a standout digital identity while avoiding common pitfalls.

Social media lawyer Emma Sadleir and marketing expert Asha Singh share the opportunities and risks of online footprints and how to make smart social media decisions. In an age where almost everything revolves around social media, having the best tools in your personal kit will help you reach new heights.

Much like Emma and Asha’s insights into personal social media skills, season 2 has been an incredible addition to Profmed’s portfolio of support for viewers and professionals alike. With all eight episodes now out, it is evident that the conversations have hit home for South African professionals.

The team celebrated over 80,000 views just on the season trailer, and the rest of the episodes keep growing daily. This season explored subjects that matter most to professionals, including:

  • The hidden pressure behind professional success and how to protect your wellbeing.
  • Real stories of surviving illness, loss, and financial strain, and the tools that helped.
  • Reclaiming your sense of self while raising a family and managing career goals.
  • From classism to gender discrimination and unpacking what still holds professionals back.
  • Should you stay or go? The emotional and practical realities of the emigration decision.
  • How to own your online reputation wisely.

Samke Mhlongo, an award-winning wealth coach and best-selling author, and co-host Charmaine ‘Miss Chaz’ Dube, a dynamic conversationalist and seasoned tech professional, kept guests and audiences engaged throughout the season and have reaffirmed the importance of having these conversations in the first place.

In the professional world, it can often feel like discussing some of the struggles faced in the working environment is taboo, but not anymore! Mental wellness, typical life challenges, and so much more affect us beyond home life, so it is vital to talk about how to balance it all out.

If you missed any of the episodes, you can catch up on all of them on the Profmed YouTube channel.


Sources: Profmed
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.

 

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Shelley Lloyd Found Purpose in Her Community and Support in Heartwarming Places https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/shelley-lloyd-found-purpose-in-her-community-and-support-in-heartwarming-places/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/shelley-lloyd-found-purpose-in-her-community-and-support-in-heartwarming-places/#respond Tue, 13 May 2025 12:00:12 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=150141

Facing heartbreak and loss after her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, Shelley Lloyd has found purpose in the community, helping others. This is her story:   South Africa (13 May 2025) –...

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Facing heartbreak and loss after her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, Shelley Lloyd has found purpose in the community, helping others. This is her story:

 

South Africa (13 May 2025) – May marks the month when people around the world raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. The official day each year is the 30th of May, but the whole month has been used to get people talking. The best part is that in South Africa, Multiple Sclerosis South Africa is celebrating its 75th year in raising awareness for the disease and providing support to people who have been affected.

Seventy-five years is a major accomplishment!!! To honour South Africans living with the disease, we are delighted to highlight their inspiring stories as they face the unknown battles with their bodies to live life to the fullest. Each month, we meet a new and inspiring South African who shares their story in the hope of raising awareness. This month, we meet Shelley Lloyd.

The disease is still underrepresented in South Africa, but that is about to change! Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA) is raising the profile of the disease, offering support for families and raising funds to help make a difference. Their goal is to unite Africa and create a federation for the continent that will empower thousands of sufferers.

We hope to highlight many stories for their 75th anniversary: a diamond jubilee, so to speak. It is a celebration of all the gems who aim to make living with MS a little easier.

What is Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. Symptoms can range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

Every case is proving unique, and the progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving closer to a world free of MS.

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. MS is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system. Today, over 2,500,000 people around the world have MS.

There is so much more to the disease, which we have shared for World MS Day 2023 here.

Shelley’s Take on Living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Shelley Lloyd started to feel the effects of MS long before she got her official diagnosis. As a registered SAIPA accountant, she began noticing that her usual work became a struggle, from meeting deadlines to following simple procedures and tasks.

Before her diagnosis, she shared that she had always been a little high-strung and struggled with stress, but these new challenges were different. When it went beyond her work life, Shelley dismissed her unbalance and slower pace as being unfit. It was when she had a small accident that doctors took action to get to the root of the cause.

She finally got her diagnosis through an MRI, which confirmed MS with multiple lesions. The diagnosis was now the beginning of a whole new struggle. Shelley’s husband of 20 years left, which rocked the entire family, and her children went with him. Thankfully, her son still stays with her every other week.

She has experienced mood swings and irrational behaviour caused by lesions in her frontal cortex, which has sadly further strained relationships. The disease has also taken her ability to work away due to memory loss, balance issues and fatigue, and leg spasms have meant driving is a big challenge.

What is important to take on here is that MS takes so much from a person, but how they fight back becomes the tale of inspiration! While Shelley’s losses have been major, she has pushed herself to find her purpose.

“Joining the Multiple Sclerosis Society and working with my neurologist and occupational therapists have been invaluable. Rehab Matters provided cognitive support and strategies for managing MS. Adopting my Labrador, Honey, has given me a sense of purpose, as has volunteering with NGOs like Top Dogs and participating in community activities such as the Park Run and crochet groups.”

For Shelley, being involved in community projects and giving back through volunteering give her the drive to push through the hard days. Not only that, but she has been able to face other challenges, like doing the Hermanus Camino, an 85km walk, where she found support from total strangers along the way.

Shelley (centre) and friends after completing the Hermanus Camino

“Despite challenges, I’ve completed the Hermanus Camino, an 85 km walk, with help from supportive strangers and friends. My community has been instrumental, from gym partners who keep me active to theatre outings that provide joy and connection.”

Shelley’s MS is currently in remission, but the damage done prior to her treatment persists. She will spend her life managing symptoms, undergoing monthly treatments, and continuously testing for changes and side effects from her infusion treatments. She still has daily reminders of the disease.

Many people with MS choose not to disclose their illness, but for Shelley, sharing her journey has made a big difference.

“Disclosing my condition to others has made a significant difference. People are generally patient and understanding when I explain my limitations. While I’ve lost some friends, the kindness of new acquaintances and strangers has been uplifting.

Living with MS has taught me resilience and the value of support. I’m deeply grateful to my doctors, therapists, family, and the many individuals who have helped along the way.”

Through the process of sharing each story, we have learned one thing of vital importance: community makes it easier. Having someone to lean on makes the journey less daunting. MS South Africa aims to be that space for people who find themselves facing an MS diagnosis.

Just know that if you are still figuring it all out, you are not alone! You can find your community right here.


Sources: GTG Interview / MSSA
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.

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SA Gives a Thumbs Up Commitment to Stop Texting and Driving https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/drivenowtextlater-texting-campaign/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/drivenowtextlater-texting-campaign/#comments Fri, 09 May 2025 14:00:32 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=149335

South Africans are taking the #DriveNowTextLater pledge to reduce their accident risk on the road and maybe win big in the process!   South Africa (09 May 2025) – A...

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South Africans are taking the #DriveNowTextLater pledge to reduce their accident risk on the road and maybe win big in the process!

 

South Africa (09 May 2025) – A thumbs up has so many meanings; it can indicate that you are good or need help in hitching a ride somewhere, but most recently, it has become a pledge to be a safer road user. South Africans are giving a thumbs-up by pledging to stop texting while driving through the Discovery Insure campaign #DriveNowTextLater, in partnership with bp South Africa.

By getting involved, pledgers are not only helping create a nation of safe drivers but are also reducing their accident risk by up to 23%.

Did you know: 5 seconds on your phone at 60km/hr is equivalent to driving the length of a rugby field blind or that 20 seconds of cellphone use increases accident risk by over 60%?

Discovery Insure has done all the research and found that there has been a big increase in accidents because of phone use versus speeding. Thanks to 20 billion kilometres of driving data and more than 500,000 trips logged daily, the team at Discovery Insure knows how to tackle this problem. This is their way of encouraging the public to be better, safer drivers.

“The dangers of texting while driving can’t be overstated. It’s time to make texting while driving socially unacceptable – just like drinking and driving,” says CEO of Discovery Insure, Robert Attwell.

“Our new campaign is about sharing information and helping people develop healthier driving habits,”

The hope is to inspire a cultural shift where texting and driving isn’t acceptable anymore, where being a safe driver is something to aspire to.

So, how exactly can you make the pledge? Visit a bp service station near you and fill up for R600 or more to get your sticker card. Simply place the #DriveNowTextLater sticker on your thumb and take a photo showing your pledge, then encourage your community to do the same by sharing your photo to your social media profiles.

“If one small pledge can prevent one accident, then this campaign will have made a meaningful difference.” -Nokwanda Khumalo, bpSA GM for Mobility & Convenience

How South African drivers can take part:

  • Spend R600 or more at any participating bp service station to qualify before the campaign ends on 13 July 2025.
  • This will get you your thumb sticker.
  • Snap and share a photo of the sticker on your thumb to social media using #DriveNowTextLater to stand to WIN your share of R1 million in cash.

If photos are not your thing – you can also make a digital pledge. Visit the Discovery Insure webpage to find out how and to learn more about the competition.


Sources: Discovery Insure
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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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Noncendo Khawuleza Cultivates Hope and Success After Losing Farming Business https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/noncendo-khawuleza-cultivates-hope/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/noncendo-khawuleza-cultivates-hope/#respond Sun, 04 May 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=150038

Imagine pouring everything into your business, only to see it wiped out. That was the devastating reality for Noncendo Khawuleza when she lost her farm, forcing her onto childcare grants....

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Imagine pouring everything into your business, only to see it wiped out. That was the devastating reality for Noncendo Khawuleza when she lost her farm, forcing her onto childcare grants. But Noncendo wasn’t ready to give up on her entrepreneurial dreams.

 

Cape Town, South Africa (04 May 2025) – Losing a business you had given so much of your effort and resources to is enough to dishearten any entrepreneur.

This is something Noncendo Khawuleza relates to, all too well. Except, she didn’t let this obstacle dim her desires to grow and succeed.

After losing her pig farming business due to the recurring cycle of African Swine Fever and having to depend on childcare grants to sustain herself and her family, Noncedo was introduced to the SPCA’s Compassion in Farming programme at iThemba Farms and turned her life around for the better!

By being a participant in the programme, funded by the Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG), and in partnership with Abalimi Bezekhaya’s Gardening Centre in Khayelitsha, Noncedo ventured into vegetable farming.

Although she encountered a stumbling block, due to issues with water access, Nocedo soon discovered a neighbouring initiative: the Burundi Gardening Project, a collective of 34 community members committed to growing produce for income.

It was there that the entrepreneurial spirit was reignited. Noncendo cleverly turned a challenge into an opportunity. Instead of only focusing on her own plot, she started supplying the Burundi gardeners with quality seeds each week, establishing a mini-supply chain complete with valuable agricultural.

Her husband also helps by selling their produce to the local community – yet another opportunity and stream of income!

Noncedo has made the most of every opportunity in her path, having secured a contract to maintain a preschool’s vegetable garden as well as expanding her operations at iThemba Farms. What’s even more amazing? She has also been empowering and feeding others along the way the way too!

“Mrs. Khawuleza, we salute you. You are a true everyday hero, and a reminder that compassion grows the strongest roots,” Cape of Good Hope SPCA prasied.


Sources: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
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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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Nomathemba is Building a Legacy Against Hardship and Inspiring Her Community https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/single-motherhood-nomathemba-builds-legacy/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/single-motherhood-nomathemba-builds-legacy/#respond Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:00:19 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=149871

Despite navigating the world as a single mother with a hearing disability, Nomathemba Liyeza still went after her dreams to become a businesswoman in the logistics industry.   Johannesburg, South...

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Despite navigating the world as a single mother with a hearing disability, Nomathemba Liyeza still went after her dreams to become a businesswoman in the logistics industry.

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (30 April 2025) – As a single mother with a hearing disability, Nomathemba Liyeza’s entrepreneurial journey began with a deeply personal goal: to build a future for her children that would be free of the hardship she endured.

After earning her Diploma in Accounting and BTech in Internal Auditing, Nomathemba defied societal expectations by turning down the traditional career path to pursue her dream of building a business.

“Coming from a small township called Dark City situated near Bronkhorstspruit, I’ve always aspired to exceed what society expects of me,” she shares.

Through hard work and determination, Nomathemba established a logistics company, Themba Liyeza Logistics, originally focused on coal transportation. It has since expanded into warehousing, packaging, and most recently, international import and export services.

Despite facing barriers, including navigating the logistics industry with a hearing disability, she turned adversity into drive.

“My disability has only made me more determined to prove what’s possible.”

That tenacity led her into an enterprise programme over 18-months which equips entrepreneurs with tailored business training, mentorship, and a powerful network.

“The programme changed everything. From improving my operational systems to sharpening my leadership, it’s helped me scale my business and dream even bigger,” she says.

And the results have been incredible, award-winning in fact! Nomathemba was the recipient of a coveted award that recognised her outstanding performance, innovation, and resilience in scaling her freight forwarding and warehousing business.

With newfound determination and a financial boost as part of the award, Nomathemba is focused on expanding her business footprint, creating jobs, and playing an active role in South Africa’s economic recovery.

“I come from a disadvantaged background, and made a promise to myself that my children would never face the same struggles,” she says.

“That’s what fuels me every day.”

Her story is one of turning adversity into fuel. From growing up with financial hardship to winning an entrepreneurship award, Nomathemba Liyeza is rewriting the narrative for women, youth, and people with disabilities in South Africa’s male-dominated logistics industry.

Nomathemba encourages any entrepreneur, especially women, youth, or those living with disabilities, to go after their dreams, persevere and apply themselves.

“If I can do it, so can they.”


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.

 

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