South Africa’s favourite fuzzy friends just bagged a global win, and an extra-special one at that. Takalani Sesame has won the People’s Voice Webby Award for ‘Zikwe and the Triplets Bond Through Play’!

Global (24 April 2025) — In proud news for South African fans of Takalani Sesame young, mature and in-between, Sesame Workshops has walked away with an extra-special Webby Award!

At the 29th Annual Webby Awards (in which the best of the internet are honoured, from content creators to beloved online shows), Takalani Sesame scooped not just any win, but one determined by viewers themselves.

Last year, Sesame Workshop created an insightful campaign dubbed ‘Bond Through Play’ that was all about encouraging play with guardians (especially fathers) as an essential part of a child’s development.

Their social media campaign soon made it onto the Webby’s radar; earning Takalani Sesame an exciting nomination under the Video & Film—General Video & Film, Kids & Family section of the Webby Awards (which also fell under the Webby’s People’s Voice umbrella).

Thanks to the people who used their voices to show some love and voted, ‘Zikwe and the Triplets Bond Through Play’ took home the win as the People’s Voice Winner against competitors ‘City Island’, ‘Count on June Bug’ and ‘NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition’.

The Webby Winner this year was ‘The Go Go Brothers’.

Seeing South African creativity honoured amid internet royalty is no small feat, and one made it even more impactful considering the positive intentions that went into bringing ‘Bond Through Play’ to life.

For those interested to learn more about the campaign, you can read an earlier Good Things Guy feature giving you the full scoop, here.

Sources: Takalani Sesame; GTG 

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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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Leo Parker, the brave little lion fighting one of the rarest conditions on Earth, has finally found his lifesaving match.

South Africa (24 April 2025) – “It’s a perfect match!”… and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

After months of uncertainty, late nights filled with prayers and tireless hope echoing through hospital hallways and Facebook updates, Andrew and Tarryn Parker finally shared the news we’ve all been holding our breath for: a perfect stem cell donor has been found for their baby boy, Leo.

And just like that, the world got a little brighter.

Leo Parker, who we introduced you to in March, is no ordinary baby. At just 8 months old, he’s endured more medical challenges than most adults will face in a lifetime. Born with MECOM-associated syndrome, a condition so rare it’s barely recognised in global medical circles, Leo’s tiny body has been bravely battling complete bone marrow failure.

The simplest way to explain it (in the words of his incredible mom, who’s also a doctor) is that Leo’s “bone factory” isn’t working. The parts are faulty, and as a result, it’s not producing red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. That means no oxygen flow, no infection fighters, no way for wounds to heal. Leo has been relying on regular transfusions just to stay alive, while facing daily risks most of us couldn’t begin to imagine.

But now, that narrative is shifting… because Leo has a match.

In a Facebook post on 23 April, the Parkers wrote:

“After months of prayers, searching, and uncertainty… our hope has arrived. A perfect stem cell donor has been found for our precious son, Leo! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you… you’ve played a part in this miracle.”

They’re right, it is a miracle. But it’s also a reflection of something bigger: a community rallying together, complete strangers swabbing their cheeks and registering with DKMS in the hopes of being someone’s second chance.

And Leo’s story isn’t just about medical science or matched DNA , t’s about courage. His nickname, “the little lion,” couldn’t be more fitting. His smile, despite everything, has lit up rooms and social media feeds, inspiring thousands to register and take action. His story has reminded us of the power we all hold, the power to literally save lives.

The journey isn’t over, in fact, the hardest part still lies ahead. But this? This is the moment everything changed. Leo now has a fighting chance, and that changes everything.

To the Parker family, your courage is contagious.

To Leo, the littlest warrior with the loudest roar, we’re all cheering you on.

And to every person who swabbed, shared, supported or simply held this family in their hearts… you didn’t just raise awareness. You helped save a life.

Let’s not stop here. There are still children out there waiting for their miracle. You can be someone’s match. Visit dkms-africa.org and be the reason hope rises again.

Because today, hope found its voice. And it roared.

Sources: Andrew and Tarryn Parker

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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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Jeremy Loops has announced that his ‘girl dad’ era is loading thanks to the news of a little Loops’ on the way!

South Africa (22 April 2025) — Many South African celebrities have announced the news of their respective buns in the oven recently from Springboks to former Miss South Africas—and South Africans are never shy to celebrate all the excitement of a growing family with them. From our music scene, it’s Mr Jeremy Loops who has announced news of a little Loops on the way and that his ‘girl dad’ era is loading!

In sharing the news, Loops humoured that a new ‘collab’ is underway.

“For seven months, we’ve been growing something magical,” Loops shared on social media alongside a series of special photos with his love, Mathilda Mennen.

“It’s been the sweetest season of quiet joy and a million thoughts about the future. Now we’re finally ready to share it with you all. A new life is on the way. Girl dad loading…”

 

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A post shared by JEREMYLOOPS (@jeremyloops)

The couple were flooded with congratulatory messages, including those from fellow musicians and new parents, Good Luck’’s Jules Harding and Ben Peters who shared, “Our baby girl has been the best thing to ever happen to us…we can’t wait for you to feel this love!”.

The news of Little Loops marks yet another reason why 2025 will be a biggie for the folk-pop singer. In his professional life, other doses of celebratory news include the release of his long-anticipated new album,’ Feathers & Stone’, as well as the announcement that he’ll be strumming his guitar along with the greats at the world’s pinnacle musical festival—Glastonbury!

As for other South African sweethearts who are expecting; former Miss South Africa/Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Tebow and her husband Tim are expecting their first child too as announced earlier this year.

Sources: Jeremy Loops; GTG 

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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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Little Leo Parker is fighting a most rare fight at only 8 months old with a genetic disorder of which there are only just over 20 known cases in the world. The good news is that he can be cured should he find the correct donor (who might just be reading this right now).

Cape Town, South Africa (03 March 2025) — Little Leo Parker is fighting a most rare fight.

At just 8-months-old, Leo has already seen more medical specialists than most will see in a lifetime. Blood tests, transfusions, x-rays and procedures in abundance; for the little boy, these have all already been recurring characters in his life and his introduction to the world.

Leo has MECOM-associated syndrome. If you haven’t heard of it, that’s because it’s extremely rare. So rare that the geneticist Leo’s parents took him to hadn’t heard of it. It is so rare that there are only an estimated 23 known cases in the world, including Leo.

Leo’s parents share that the disorder causes complete bone marrow failure. To explain what the disorder impacts in simple terms, his mom, Tarryn Parker (a doctor herself), broke things down in the same way that she did to help her older son understand.

Essentially, Leo’s ‘bone factory’ (which produces the cells his blood needs) is defective. As such, the ‘factory’s’ parts are not working correctly, and the cells needed are not being produced.

As such, Leo’s bone marrow is no longer producing red (oxygen-carrying) and white blood cells (infection fighting) or platelets (which help wounds heal and bleeding stop).

“He is reliant on regular blood transfusions to prevent him from having a life-threatening bleed and is at constant risk of severe infection,” his parents explain.

The good news is that Leo can be cured. The hard news is, this is entirely dependent on finding the correct donor match.

“Leo’s only chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant,” his parents share, adding that there are currently no suitably matched donors on any national or international registries.

“This journey has been devastating and heartbreaking and we are pleading for your help.”

The Mighty Mack army has come together to stand behind the Parkers in their search for a match.

Like Leo’s parents, they are urging everyone who can to register as a bone marrow donor with DKMS and give Leo the chance at life.

Registering

Registering is nowhere near as complicated or time-consuming as one might assume. Good Things Guy’s Tyler has shared her own experience (which you can find here) for those who are curious about this initial step.

If you are between the ages of 18 – 55 and in general good health, you can request a swab kit at dkms-africa.org.

The Process

If you are a match, DKMS will contact you to begin the next steps. This includes a health check (where it’ll be confirmed whether you are the best match), followed by a peripheral blood stem cell donation (this is not a surgery) and then the bone marrow donation, which is a different procedure. You can find out more here. 

The more people who register, the more the odds lean in Leo’s favour.

Sources: Email Submission

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 Mighty Mack Army Unite for Little Leo Who is Fighting a Most Rare Fight  appeared first on Good Things Guy.