I met an 83-year-old man in Pennington who’s been fixing potholes for nearly 12 years… using his own money, his maroon bakkie and a whole lot of heart.

South Coast, South Africa (20 April 2025) – Yesterday, I met a local hero in a place I had never been before, Pennington.

Pennington is a small, sun-drenched coastal village along the south coast where time slows down, the waves greet you first and all the dogs seem to know each other by name (or butt sniffs). It’s the kind of place where the milkshake at the corner café still comes with a paper straw (not because of climate change but because that’s how they’ve done it since the 80s) and where everyone seems to genuinely care about everyone else.

There’s heart here. And a whole lot of community.

But even in a place this charming, potholes don’t fix themselves.

Call it serendiptious. Or maybe fortuitous. Or perhaps just meant-to-be. But on the way to the beach, I crossed paths with an 83-year-old man named Tony Hoggins… a legend with a maroon bakkie who’s been quietly fixing the town’s potholes for over a decade.

Let that sink in.

Eleven and a half years.

Of mixing cement. Of patching holes. Of taking matters into his own hands because, as he puts it: “No one else is going to fix it.”

I’d come down to visit my parents, who’ve recently bought a property in Pennington with plans to eventually retire here. Drawn to the peace, the people and the promise of a gentler kind of life. I expected sea air, slow days and perhaps a lazy walk on the beach. What I didn’t expect… was to be reminded just how extraordinary ordinary people can be.

Tony is well-known around here. Everyone has a story. Some have seen him stop mid-errand to patch a hole. Others have helped him mix a bit of cement. Kids wave when they spot his maroon bakkie ambling through town. And more than a few locals have quietly left donations, slipped into his hand at the café, or passed through a car window, because they know he won’t ask… but they also know he won’t stop.

He does this with his own money. Every tool. Every mix. Every patch.

It’s not a funded project. It’s not backed by a municipality. It’s just Tony, his bakkie and a sense of duty to the place he calls home.

He told me it’s never been about recognition. He’s not trying to be a hero. He just saw something broken and decided to be the kind of person who tries to fix it. When I asked him what message he had for the rest of South Africa, he paused, like he didn’t want to preach, and then said something so profound: “If everybody did their little part in front of their own homes, or in their streets, or communities, then South Africa would be a very different place.”

Simple. But powerful.

Because we all know the truth, many parts of South Africa are struggling. Infrastructure is crumbling. Especially in smaller towns. Years of corruption and mismanagement have left roads full of holes and hearts full of frustration. It’s easy to feel hopeless. To believe that no one cares.

To throw your hands in the air and say, “Well, it’s not my job.”

But stories like Tony’s shift that narrative. They remind us that change doesn’t always come from the top. Sometimes, it starts at the bottom of a pothole.

Across the country, we’re seeing sparks of this same spirit. Initiatives like Tidy Towns Pennington, Tidy Towns Shelly to Margate, Better Fourways, and Better Bedfordview are proof that communities aren’t waiting anymore. They’re stepping up. Fixing what’s broken. Rebuilding what was left to decay. One street. One patch. One kind act at a time.

And Tony? He’s just one man with a maroon bakkie and a bag of cement. But in a country where too many are still waiting for someone else to fix things, he reminds us that waiting isn’t the only option.

He didn’t ask for permission. He didn’t wait for funding. He just got to work.

And maybe that’s the lesson here.

That real change doesn’t always roar in with a crowd. Sometimes, it arrives quietly… in the form of an 83-year-old with grit in his hands and love for his town in his heart.

Because if one person can do this much for one small village, just imagine what we could do together.

Start with what’s in front of you.
Fix what you can.
And never underestimate the power of simply showing up.

The road to a better South Africa might be long but thanks to people like Tony, it’s already being paved.

Sources: Interview with Tony Hoggins in Pennington 

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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.

The post The 83-Year-Old Filling Potholes and Restoring Hope in His Community appeared first on Good Things Guy.

As many families love venturing to the coast in December, the South Coast tourism team is highlighting why their stretch of coastline is the one to see this year.

South Coast, South Africa (07 December 2023) – Boasting the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in KZN, as well as being the chosen site for the launch of this year’s KZN Summer Campaign, the KZN South Coast is on track to welcome an influx of holidaymakers looking to beat the summer heat this festive season.

“We saw a surge in tourism numbers in the final week of 2022, and with our beaches open and ready for holidaymakers once again, we’re anticipating big tourist numbers throughout the summer season,” says Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE).

“Visitors are often drawn to our fantastic beaches and world-class dive sites, but quickly discover there is so much more to the KZN South Coast. From hiking excursions and extreme adventures in the hinterland to township tours and cultural experiences throughout the region, the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom has something for everyone.”

Mangcu said, while they encourage visitors to take advantage of the many beautiful beaches, it’s vital that all safety precautions are adhered to at all times. Safety measures include:

• Only entering the water at beaches where lifeguards are on duty and during the hours when they are present.
• Swim in between the flagged beacons at all times.
• Never leave children unattended anywhere on the beach. Parents or guardians need to be particularly attentive at the water’s edge.
• The pink NSRI buoys are present at some of the beaches where lifeguards aren’t on duty, but these are only for emergencies in progress. These must not be removed at any other time.
• Blue Flag beaches are the best key indicator of all-around beach safety.

What can visitors expect when visiting the KZN South Coast?

• 58 golden beaches including 5 Blue Flag Beaches and 7 with Pilot Blue Flag status, as well as the highest number of tidal pools in the province.
• Top spots for surfing, kitesurfing, paddling, fishing, boating, and more.
• 3 Marine Protected Areas (MPAS) at Trafalgar, Aliwal Shoal, and Protea Banks with the latter 2 also world-class dive sites ideal for scuba diving, free diving, shark cage diving, or snorkelling.
• Nature reserves with great hiking and biking trails, picnic spots, birdwatching, waterfalls and lagoons to explore.
• Adventures in the hinterland include the Weza Hiking Trail, the Umzumbe River Trail, and the Agri-Tourism Tour.
• Cultural adventures such as the Mission Tourism Tour, the Nyandezulu Experience, Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre, and the Gamalakhe Township Experience.
• 11 quality golf courses found along ‘The Golf Coast’.
• Extreme adventures such as the Wild Gorge Swing, abseiling, the Wild Slide ziplining adventure 165, and the suspension bridge.
• Holistic experiences on The Wellness Way to attend to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Unmissable KZN South Coast Events

The KZN South Coast also plays host to a number of fantastic events geared towards holidaymakers during the festive season. This year, visitors to Uvongo, St Michael’s, Ramsgate, Margate, Scottburgh, Hibberdene, and Marina beaches will enjoy the free Let’s GO Summer Beach Festival running from 14 December to 14 January with non-stop fun and games.

There are also Christmas markets, gin festivals, performances and more to enjoy. These can be found by downloading the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app, or visiting the website and checking out the Events Calendar.

Visitors can stay in any of the great accommodation offerings, from resorts and hotels to guesthouses and award-winning beachside campsites and caravan parks. There are also top-notch restaurants, cafés, pubs, takeaway establishments and more for the hungry traveller.

Sources: Supplied

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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 The South Coast is Gearing Up to Host Holidaymakers this December appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Pennington residents shared a feel-good story that is warming hearts throughtout South Africa; heroes helped rescue a dog stuck in a cave at Umdoni Point Beach.

Umdoni Point, South Africa (27 October 2022) – There are so many heroes amoung us, they just don’t know it until their moment calls apon them. Several people became heroes recently, as they worked to save a dog named Daisy. Daisy had accidently wandered into a cave and got stuck!

Viv Sandwith shared Mary McKenzie’s story of how events unfolded and names as many of the heroes as she could. It all started at Umdoni Point in Pennington on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

Brendan was at the beach walking his mom’s dogs Daisy and Tyler. While walking along the rocks, Daisy got a little too curious and wandered into a small cave. She got stuck and Brendan was unable to get her out.

He dashed for help and came apon the Beach Café where he begged for help. Mary McKenzie, who was due to have an important meeting, stopped everything and ran to help. She was joined by Viv Sandwith and Linda Stead,

“It was an extremely hot day and clambering over the rocks was not easy. If you have ever walked across the rocks at Umdoni Point to the King’s Tidal Pool, you will know exactly what I mean! (It is a long way from Pennington Main Beach to Umdoni Point beach!)

I could not keep up with Brendan and in spite of my anxiety about Daisy, continued relatively slowly and carefully, keeping him in view – At this point he was a dot on the horizon!” – Mary McKenzie

Viv had immediatly called for help and Paul Tedder from P&G Construction brought along his crew. They all made their way to the cave where Brendan had once again attempted to crawl in.

“When I arrived, Brendan had crawled into the cave for his third attempt at rescuing Daisy, but he couldn’t get in far enough to get a good grip on her. He came out hot, wet, muddy and very discouraged.

Two of the P&G helpers went into the cave, Khumalo Sduduzo, followed by Nswayibani Mhlangabezwa and although they all tried extremely hard – No joy. They were followed by Jake Tedder and he spent ages in the cave, but couldn’t reach her. We could hear him talking to Daisy encouraging her to get out on her own on the basis that she had got her head into the hole, surely she could get it out, but that was not to be.”

People started coming up with ideas on how to get Daisy out. A chisel, hammer and torch were sent for. Before long, the people surrounding Daisy had started to feel dehyrdated. A call for water was made and Rynardt Crous form Umdoni Park obliged, bring water for all.

The rescue was proving to be a long, tough one and a few heartbreaking senarios, including euthinasia, were explored much to everyones dismay. Thankfully, nobody waivered and they were determined to get Daisy out alive.

“Everyone was totally committed to rescuing Daisy, but we were becoming tired and disheartened and for those crawling into the cave, the situation was somewhat worse and so I decided, on behalf of the Pennington Conservancy, to offer a reward to the person who managed to rescue Daisy relatively unharmed.

Peter, one of the divers, re-entered the cave. Bear in mind that they could only go in lying flat on their tummies and leopard-crawl into the dark with their bodies completely disappearing from sight!

I was becoming more and more agitated as was everyone else, including a very concerned Tyler.

Peter the diver was in there for a very, very long time, but after a while we heard him shout: “I’ve got her!”

I am not sure who was the happiest or most relieved, but Daisy’s joy was heartwarming.

Bernadine, the owner of Daisy and Tyler (and Brendan’s mother) called later that day to thank all those involved.”

Bernadine and Mary spoke in length about the efforts made to rescue Daisy. Bernadine wanted to thank every person on the beach, so she made a list of all the heroes.

• Duncan Bowker;
• Jake Tedder;
• Khumalo Sduduzo;
• Morgan Pillay;
• Nswayibani Mhlangabezwa;
• Paul Tedder;
• Peter, Bheki and 3rd diver
• Pieter (Gladiator);
• Rynardt Crous; and
• Pennington Community Watch
• Several unknown others

“So many involved and committed Pennington community members working together” – Mary McKenzie

As Mary had penned the story of the rescue, and was the steering force behind keeping morale up, Viv made sure to honour her efforts too!

“Last, but not least, a big shout-out to Mary McKenzie who did not hesitate to abandon her online meeting with FNB head office – and her sandals – to hotfoot it down the beach to rescue a Daisy in Distress. She doesn’t mention the tears she shed on the beach when hearing euthanasia had to be considered.

Also to Brendan for asking complete strangers to assist him when his mom’s dog was in trouble.

The world needs more compassionate people like this” – Viv Sandwith

Sources: Pennington Conservancy 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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 Several Heroes Save Dog Stuck in Cave on Umdoni Point Beach appeared first on Good Things Guy.