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

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

In the Prof’s words:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is how we will do it:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources: Email Submission 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post The Key to Tackling Air Pollution Could Be Hidden in the Sea! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

While leaders shook hands, Gugu shook the internet with a recap so clever it deserves its own diplomatic passport.

South Africa (22 May 2025) – Sometimes, the only way to make sense of the chaos is to laugh at it… and Gugu Statu has absolutely nailed that. Again.

The South African creator behind the viral #NOOZ segment has done it once more, delivering the only “news report” you need about yesterday’s headline-grabbing meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

Well, if you want our take, you can read it here. But if you want to laugh… please continue.

While the world scrambles to dissect the politics and power dynamics, Gugu gave us what we really needed, a moment to breathe, to chuckle and to remind ourselves that satire isn’t just funny… it’s essential.

But before we dive into her brilliant blow-by-blow, let’s talk about the woman behind the magic.

Gugu Statu is no stranger to storytelling. A creative powerhouse with a background in television and production, she’s been lighting up social media with her quick wit, sharp satire and characters that feel like home. Her #NOOZ feature started as a lockdown project, parodying the infamous “family meetings” that defined the COVID era in South Africa. But what began as a light-hearted jab at politics and headlines has grown into something far more impactful.

“People were anxious. They were doom-scrolling. We just needed something to laugh about,” Gugu shared in her recent conversation on the Good Things with Brent Lindeque podcast.

And that’s exactly what she’s offered ever since, news with a wink, truth with a grin and sass that says everything we’re all thinking but too polite to say out loud.

Her latest post is a hilarious, slightly unhinged, yet painfully accurate skit that summed up the Ramaphosa-Trump meeting in a way that no official press release ever could.

From Trump’s chaotic golf metaphors and awkward mispronunciations (“RamaPHOsa… got that right. Let’s clap for that”) to Ramaphosa’s diplomatic charm offensive (“I brought the rainbow nation here”), Gugu’s script gave us a satirical backstage pass to what felt like an international episode of The Office — only more surreal.

The entire skit is layered, outrageous, and, dare we say it, better than the real thing.

And while it might be dressed in humour, it’s also laced with razor-sharp observation. Gugu doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable bits: the questions around land, crime, race and power. But she presents them with that uniquely South African blend of comedy and commentary that lands not just with a laugh but with a moment of pause.

#NOOZ SUMMARY

RAMAPHOSA x TRUMP

Notes: JD Vance didn’t say anything.
Elon didn’t say anything.
In fact, this was Donny’s show.
——–
Trump: welcome RamaPHOsa (got that right. Let’s clap for that. If I hear RamaFOZA one more time, I might die.)

Rams: Thank you (very…

— Gugz The3rd (@GuguStatu) May 21, 2025

We love Gugs, and what she does is more than funny. It’s necessary. Because when the world feels heavy, when politics get noisy and headlines get bleak, humour becomes our bridge. It connects us. It softens the blow. And it gives us the resilience to keep showing up.

And I think we need that now more than ever.

Thank you, Gugu, for being the voice of reason dressed in ridiculousness. And thank you, South Africa, for still knowing how to laugh, even when the stakes are high.

Now breathe. You’re all doing better than you think.

Sources: Gugu Statu 

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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 Gugu’s Got the Mic: This is the Only Ramaphosa-Trump Recap You Need appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The room was powerful, some moments uncomfortable: Unpacking the Oval Office meeting between Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump in a constructive manner.

Global (22 May 2025) – We know many of our readers have given up on mainstream media. The world feels heavy, headlines feel divisive and it’s easy to feel disheartened by global politics. Good Things Guy has always been a space for hope, a platform dedicated to sharing the good things that bring us together.

But every now and then, a story comes along that, while rooted in serious global matters, needs to be told not with fear or fury but with constructive journalism. That’s what this article is. We’ve removed emotion and opinion. This is what happened in the Oval Office yesterday.

And yes, even here, we found (some) hope.

A Diplomatic Moment That Became More Than a Courtesy Call

On the 21st of May 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa walked into the Oval Office for his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump during Trump’s second term in office. The goal was clear: to reaffirm trade ties, open doors for South African innovation and lay the groundwork for the G20 Summit set to take place in Johannesburg later this year.

What followed, however, wasn’t your standard diplomatic chit-chat.

Within minutes, the conversation took a turn when President Trump raised the long-standing, controversial topic of land reform in South Africa, presenting a video showing the mistreatment of farmers. There was also a video showing the EFF leader singing a song that has caused mass contention in our country. And then a monument was shown that our President seemed not to know anything about.

It was a moment filled with tension. Uncomfortable. Unexpected. And deeply personal for many watching from home.

But this is where it gets important.

Instead of reacting emotionally or defensively, Ramaphosa responded with clarity and calm. He acknowledged the pain and complexity of the past and then reminded Trump, and the world, that South Africa is working towards a better, more inclusive future. No shouting. No slamming of hands. Just dignity and poise.

You can watch the full meeting below.

What Else Was on the Table: Trade, Technology and a Shared Future

While the viral moment stole the headlines, it wasn’t the full story. Behind the scenes, the meeting also touched on tangible opportunities for South Africa:

Trade & Jobs: South Africa made its case for the continuation and expansion of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a programme that allows duty-free exports into the U.S. Protecting AGOA is vital for South African farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses, and Ramaphosa used the moment to stress how these agreements impact real livelihoods.

Green Energy & Tech: The South African delegation also raised opportunities around electric vehicles and green energy infrastructure, with Elon Musk’s Tesla and Starlink mentioned as potential partners for building a more connected, sustainable future.

The G20 Summit Invitation: Ramaphosa personally invited Trump to attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November, a significant diplomatic gesture that signals openness, despite the tension in the room. If accepted, it could bring enormous global attention and economic activity to South Africa.

Finding the Good in a Tricky Room

Let’s be honest: the room was tricky. But sometimes, leadership isn’t about how easy the room is. It’s about how you hold yourself in it.

We saw a South African team of delegates (including golfers and a billionaire) walk into one of the most powerful rooms in the world, absorb the pressure and respond with principle.

We saw uncomfortable topics addressed, yes, but also important topics: trade, growth, connectivity, agriculture and our place in the global economy. While there may be differing views between the U.S. and South Africa (and even differing views within South Africa), dialogue is better than silence. Respect is better than rhetoric. And diplomacy, with all its discomforts, is the only path to progress.

And maybe that’s the biggest good thing of all.

Not that everything went smoothly. But that even when it didn’t, we found a way to stay steady. To represent our country with pride. And to keep the door open.

Because if you ask us, that’s how change begins… with open doors… and open conversations.

Sources: The White House 

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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 What Happened When South Africa Walked into the Oval Office appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Three high school friends recently reunited for the first time in forty years at AfrikaBurn for their 60th birthdays! Their adventures at the festival (as more mature festival goers) reminded us why reunions, no matter how long-overdue, are a must!

Tankwa Karoo (14 May 2025) — As thousands of people recount their recent adventures from AfrikaBurn, Helen Patricia’s stood out in a big way. It wasn’t just because Helen’s story focused on the reunion of three high school friends who hadn’t been together in some forty years or because the three women were celebrating their 60th in the most iconic way (at one heck of a festival).

It wasn’t just for the humour intertwined in Helen’s recounting either. Instead, it was the sum of all these unique parts that made for a dazzling reminder (for anyone who might need it) to act on reunion plans, no matter how long they’re overdue or how far out of your comfort zone they might lead you!

From preschool teachers’ failed campsite jollifications that required exchanging massages for assistance to grooving with one’s hearing aid in tow, the adventure had us giggling and missing our long-lost friends!

As Helen writes:

“Three high school friends reunited at AfrikaBurn 2025 to celebrate turning 60. The one from New Zealand hadn’t seen the 2 others for 40 years. Another came from Switzerland.

The South African hired the Bushy Kamper Trailer. With her long-suffering husband, all tried in vain to force the flimsy tent pegs into the desert soil with a rubber mallet, after the gruelling ascent up the Katbakkies Pass, rattling across the corrugated dust, dredging up memories from 80’s discos at the Southern Suburbs’ Werdmuller Centre.

One wore a hearing aid but the ones who didn’t, couldn’t hear anything anyway, with all the shuddering.

The South African preschool teacher’s attempts at jollifying their campsite with bunting from last year’s school concert was underwhelming and blown away with the first strong winds on the 2nd day! This complete fail was redeemed by one of the group gifting osteopathic sessions to nearby campers on the massage table brought along.

Afrikaburn is a bit like the parable of the six blind men and the elephant, all having their own unique sensorial experience of a mammoth animal.

The 3 old, almost-deaf women got their own satisfying experience.

The Oasis of the Crone became their place, starting with a charming baptism into the Oasis Way by the beautiful Aimee, followed by a 2 and-a-half-hour Grounding Mirror Journey with a Dutch Sorceress…

…Their last evening ended where it started, at the Oasis, with Silent Disco Headphones and Dancing in the Desert with the sun setting and the Tetrahedon burning on the horizon, setting intentions within. It felt good to be a Crone.”

So, if you’re looking for a sign to connect with old friends, consider this it!

Sources: Helen Patricia via AfrikaBurn(Group)/Facebook 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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After Mia Le Roux was asked who her favourite music artist was, a storm of comments (and internet trolls) gathered. Considering that Mia is South Africa’s first hearing-impaired Miss South Africa, the question, nor its answer, could be simple. Now, Mia has leveraged her authenticity to add clarity to the conversation and put internet trolls in their place.

South Africa (07 May 2025) — The internet can be a very harsh place in which out-of-context snippets can spiral, go viral and unite all variants of trolls.

Recently, Miss South Africa Mia Le Roux got caught in the middle of a big online conversation, one that began when she was asked who her favourite music artist was at the Metro Awards.

It is a well-known fact that Mia is deaf. In fact, her winning the Miss South Africa title was monumental because of this fact—she is the first hearing-impaired Miss South Africa ever.

So, when her response was not merely an artist’s name and reportedly saw her share that she doesn’t have a “favourite South African artist” considering her hearing impairment, a big conversation unravelled.

Several trolls asked, insensitively, why she was at the awards in the first place in that case. Others filled up comment sections with far harsher sentiments.

To the camp who thinks you shouldn’t be at a celebration just because you can’t enjoy it the way other people do, we wonder: is one not allowed to celebrate victories simply because they are victories?

Ultimately, though, it was Mia who put the trolls in their place with her wonderful brand of authenticity and humility.

In her words:

“I want to take a moment to address the conversation happening online about my experience with music. This is, in fact, one of my biggest insecurities.

Within the Deaf community, everyone experiences music differently. Some perform entire songs in South African Sign Language (SASL). Others feel music through rhythm and vibration.

Some dance by counting beats. There are Deaf musicians and artists which I am in awe of, because I can imagine how much dedication it takes.

My own relationship with music is unique. I use cochlear implants, which help me perceive sound—but I have nothing to compare it to, as I’ll never truly know what someone without a device hears.

Growing up, music was always something I tried to connect with—especially because of my family. I remember my dad playing “Love Gets Old” by Wouter Kellerman.

I could see how it moved him. That memory stayed with me—not just because of the sound, but because of the emotion and meaning behind it. That’s what I connected to.

But to be honest—I often struggle with music. I can’t always hear lyrics. Some songs sound unclear to me. I’ve had moments where I’ve played music in the background just to feel less alone.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve always understood it fully. Even now, I can’t confidently identify genres, artists or instruments.

And because of that, I’ve never felt comfortable expressing music preferences—especially in a public setting.

At the Metro Awards when asked about my favourite artist or song, I didn’t want to give a superficial answer or name an artist I couldn’t fully appreciate in the way they deserve. I was trying to be respectful—not evasive.

My experience is my own, and it does not represent the entire Deaf community, as everyone is different.

I acknowledge the harm that can come when stories are shared without full context. I’m learning, too. And I believe in inclusion that’s rooted in truth, not performance.

To the Deaf community: I hear you. I see you. I respect the diversity within our community. And I will continue to grow.

Sources: Mia Le Roux 

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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 Mia Le Roux Puts Internet Trolls in Their Place Re: ‘That’ Music Interview appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Mary Hoaeane from Khayelitsha is one of many “gogos” feeling the benefit of her work featuring South Africa’s leading travel hubs.

South Africa (29 April 2025) – In the evolving landscape of global travel, transit hubs have transformed from mere waypoints to powerful engines of economic growth and community development. These bustling centres serve as crucial platforms for job creation, innovation incubation, and cultural exchange, making them vital to the communities they serve. As travel infrastructure adapts to meet modern expectations of convenience and experience, the impact of these hubs extends far beyond travel facilitation.

At Relate Bracelets, we’ve seen firsthand how places of transit – especially airports – can be more than just gateways to new destinations. They can be powerful agents of change. Through thoughtful partnerships and people-first initiatives, travel hubs have the potential to create dignity through work, spark entrepreneurship, and connect local communities with the world in meaningful ways.

Across South Africa, transit hubs like O.R. Tambo and Cape Town International Airports are transforming into more than just places to catch a flight. They’re evolving into vibrant economic ecosystems that breathe life into surrounding communities. Every plane that lands or lifts off helps generate employment; from hospitality and logistics to security, retail, cleaning, and maintenance – creating ripple effects that sustain thousands of households. For many, especially in previously underserved communities, these opportunities can be life-changing.

Where movement sparks meaning

But the impact goes deeper than numbers or job titles. Transit hubs are melting pots of people, ideas, and cultures. With this constant convergence comes the chance to reimagine how we connect, not just through travel, but through shared experiences and values. When travel intersects with local enterprise and social purpose, something special happens: innovation takes root in very human ways.

We’ve had the privilege of seeing this meaningful connection come to life through Relate Bracelets’ ongoing partnership with retailers at Cape Town International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport. This collaboration has created a unique platform to share our purpose-driven products with a global audience, offering travellers an opportunity to engage with authentic, handmade beadwork while directly supporting local artisans and the communities they belong to. This partnership has enabled us to introduce our handmade beaded bracelets, lovingly crafted by gogos (grandmothers), youth, and other community members, to a global audience. Each bracelet sold is more than just a beautiful keepsake; it carries the fingerprint of a real person, a story of resilience, and the shared dream of a better future.

One of those stories belongs to Mary Hoaeane from Khayelitsha. After the uncertainty brought on by COVID-19, Mary joined the non-profit Ikamva Labantu and began crafting bracelets for Relate. For Mary, the work became a lifeline, not just financially but emotionally. It gave her a renewed sense of purpose, a supportive community, and a daily reason to smile. “We uplift one another,” she says, describing the bond between the women she works with every day. Her story is a moving reminder that meaningful work can offer more than income; it can offer dignity, joy, and a renewed sense of belonging.

What makes stories like Mary’s even more powerful is that they’re shared with travellers who often seek more than just souvenirs. Modern travellers crave authenticity. They want to engage with local culture, support meaningful causes, and return home with something that tells a deeper story. Our bracelets offer them that; a tangible piece of South Africa, woven with care, heritage, and hope.

Collaboration as the catalyst

Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. The full potential of travel hubs can only be unlocked through collaboration. When businesses, government, non-profits, and communities come together with a shared purpose, airports and other transit spaces become more than infrastructure; they become engines for transformation. Whether it’s by prioritising local hiring, supporting small businesses, offering skills training, or creating retail spaces that reflect the country’s diversity, there are endless ways to design transit spaces that uplift the people who live around them.

Successful partnerships recognise and leverage the complementary strengths of different stakeholders. Transit operators bring infrastructure and traveller flows, businesses provide commercial expertise and capital, government agencies contribute policy support and coordination, and community organisations offer local knowledge and workforce connections. Together, these partners can create integrated development approaches that maximise community benefit.

Collaborations deliver multiple benefits simultaneously. Travellers gain access to authentic products and experiences that reflect local identity. Community members secure meaningful employment and income-generation opportunities. Businesses establish differentiated offerings that appeal to experience-seeking travellers. And transit hubs strengthen their position as valued community assets rather than isolated infrastructure.

Moving South Africa forward

We believe in putting people and purpose at the centre of everything we do. And we believe transit hubs have the power to do the same. These spaces can become places of inclusion, pride, and empowerment, not only facilitating movement but stimulating connection, opportunity, and growth.

Airports – and the communities within and around them – rely on purpose-driven retailers to connect with “transumers” seeking more than just convenience. Through initiatives that champion conscious consumption, they offer products with soul, authenticity, and impact, creating meaningful moments for both local and international travellers passing through their terminals. Because the best journeys don’t just take us places – they bring us closer to purpose.

Sources: Relate – 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 Unlocking the Transformative Power of Travel Hubs in South Africa appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The VAT might go up on the 1st of May… or it might not. But the worry? That’s already here. While politicians debate percentages, South Africans are already doing the maths that matters… the kind that keeps fridges full, lights on and families going.

South Africa (22 April 2025) – I’ve been thinking a lot about the VAT increase and what it actually means for us as South Africans. Not just on paper. Not just as a line item buried in a budget speech. But what it really feels like.

And what will it cost us?

Please grab a cup or tea. And take a deep breath. This is longer than my normal “long” posts.

I’ve shared this before, but I’ll say it again, because it shaped who I am… I started working when I was 15 years old. First at Nando’s, then Emilio’s Pizzaria and eventually Ascot Mews, a beautiful wedding venue in Alberton.

I started as a “busser” with the ashtrays on the wedding tables (like cleaning them… cause you could smoke indoors back then). Then I became a waiter. Then a manager. And eventually, I worked right next to the wedding coordinator, her right hand, helping create some of the most important (and memorable) days of people’s lives. It was hard work. It was long hours. And it taught me many lessons.

One of the lessons may be the most valuable lesson of all: the difference between personal money and corporate money.

Let me explain.

Personal money (or emotional money, as I like to call it) is the money you “feel”. The one you budget with. The money you use to buy school shoes, to put food on the table, to pay for electricity, to help out a friend, to save for holidays (or weddings) and sometimes (mostly) to stretch from the time you get paid until you get paid again.

Corporate money is the kind you move around on a spreadsheet. It’s strategy. It’s structure. It’s a “necessary loss” or a “long-term gain.” You don’t feel it in your stomach when it’s gone. You don’t lie awake at night because something costs more than it did last week. It’s as if corporate money is not real. It’s “someone else’s”.

And that, right there… is the disconnect.

You see, our government, our presidency and the politicians who voted for the VAT increase… they’re playing with our emotional money as if it’s corporate money. They make decisions with a spreadsheet lens, adjusting tax and hiking VAT, without ever really feeling what that means for the single mom, or the pensioner, or the young couple trying to build a life, or you, or me.

They’re just shifting numbers. While we are being forced to shift priorities.

Because that extra 0,5%? It doesn’t sound like much in a press conference. But for someone buying nappies, bread, electricity or petrol. It’s everything.

Emotional money hurts when it’s mismanaged or taken without thought. It hurts in the pit of your stomach, in your chest, in that quiet moment when you wonder if you’re doing something wrong… or if the system is just not made for people like you and me to ever breathe easy.

And this is what gets me.

Politicians don’t feel that. Not really.

They don’t feel the panic when debit orders bounce, or the shame of saying no to an invite because petrol’s too expensive. They don’t feel the tightening. The shrinking. The daily recalculations of a life that no longer fits in the same budget it did last year. Or last month. Or last week.

Because they play with corporate money.

And all we have is emotional money.

We are the people picking which bill can go unpaid this month. We are the ones choosing the cheaper options, cutting back on data and skipping meals… not because it’s the latest fad diet but because it is for survival.

And the frustrating part is not just the hike.

It’s that we didn’t ask for this. We didn’t break the system. We’ve been showing up, working hard and trying our best. We are not the ones who need to be punished for mismanagement.

But here we are. Paying more. For less.

And look, I don’t have all the answers. I can’t fix the economy with an Instagram post or a heartfelt caption. I know… “bad” Good Things Guy. But I can remind you of this:

You are not alone. You are not crazy for feeling overwhelmed. You’re not weak for struggling to make it work. You are living through something that was never meant to serve you… and doing so with more grace and strength than those who made these decisions could ever understand.

So what now?

We pull together. We keep sharing ideas. Swapping savings tips. Supporting small businesses. We buy local where we can, we call out the nonsense when we need to, and we take care of each other… because let’s be honest, nobody else is going to do that for us.

And above all?

We pay attention. We remember. We don’t let frustration turn to apathy because apathy is exactly what they count on. And when the time comes, we vote with our hearts and our heads.

It’s going to be tough.

But so are you.
So are we.

And if they’re going to play games with our emotional money, then we’ll fight back the only way we know how… by showing up for each other. By remembering what real wealth looks like: Community. Kindness. Courage. And resilience.

Let them keep the spreadsheets. Let them drink the Veuve. And wear the Louis Vuitton. And drive those expensive cars. And build fire pools. And hide money in couches. And go on expensive holidays to Geneva (but definitely not Switzerland).

But let us not forget.

We’ve got each other.

Sources: Brent Lindeque  | Opinion Piece | VAT increase 

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South African women, led by Women For Change, delivered a powerful message to the Union Buildings. Marching with determination for a better and safer world for their fellow sisters, mothers and daughters, they carried a massive casket – a chilling symbol of the devastating reality of femicide in the nation.

Pretoria, South Africa (16 April 2025) – South African women are tired. Tired of being silenced, the excuses, losing their fellow sisters and a complex justice system.

Women For Change and its supporters, who shared the same mission, boldly marched to the Union Buildings on Friday, 11 April armed with a massive, custom-made casket decorated with 5,578 woven African beads, each representing a woman murdered between 2023 and 2024.

Larger than your standard coffin, it is representative of the staggering 33.8% increase in femicide over the previous year, accompanied by 42,569 reported rape cases – and WFC believes these horrifying statistics have been met with silence from the government.

“This casket will not be buried until femicide ends. Until this crisis of violence is properly addressed. Until decisive action is taken to protect women. Until then, we will unbury the truth,” says Sabrina Walter, founder of South African women’s rights non-profit, Women for Change (WFC).

The inside of the casket was lined with images of victims of gender-based violence (GBV), alongside a letter and petition signed by more than 150,000 people calling for the ongoing South African GBV crisis to be declared a National Disaster.

“These women did not have dignity in death, many of them were killed by their partners. Today, we want to honour them with a casket that will not be buried, that can not be ignored,” said Bulelwa Adonis, spokesperson for WFC.

The demonstration at the Union Buildings follows the organisation’s critique of the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide National.

“Despite the well-intentioned policy framework of the GBVF National Strategic Plan, there has been a lack of urgency in implementing and funding its commitments, leading to our country experiencing its highest femicide rates to date,” said Walter.

WFC’s petition has demanded that, alongside the declaration of a national disaster, immediate action be taken through judicial and legislative reforms, funding the GBVF National Strategic Plan, allowing public access to the National Sex Offenders Register and improved education and awareness campaigns.

Ultimately, their message is clear: the truth of this crisis will remain unearthed until meaningful change arrives.

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 Women For Change Takes Femicide Crisis to Union Buildings, Vow to “Unbury” The Truth appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Beyond being a binge-worthy show, ‘Love on the Spectrum’ is packed with lessons on dating and relationships that are well worth taking notes from!

Global (15 April 2025) — Under the advice of a friend, I recently sat down to learn what the hype surrounding Netflix’s ‘Love on the Spectrum’ was all about.

At first, I was equal parts curious and skeptical as to how young adults ‘looking for love’ would be portrayed in the show. As any fan of reality TV knows well, things are edited, re-edited, and spliced to seem one way or another. I worried that certain tropes of Autism would be played up for the sake of ‘entertainment’ (which didn’t sit well with me) or that the show would shy away from certain topics, undercutting the Autism awareness aspect of it all.

Given that I don’t know any of the show’s participants personally, it’s impossible to say just how much was edited. However, in the camp of awareness, I will say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well the show did in delivering important messages; simply by letting the public into the lives of people that don’t often have their stories told; let alone taking us along their pursuits of connection (which in most cases was so pure).

What stuck out most to me, especially in the third season, was the refreshing dose of authenticity the show had thanks to its participants. Scripts are one thing, but those genuine bursts of excitement, curiosity and love are hard to force, which made seeing these emotions in their rawness that much more refreshing.

Following my binge-watch (I won’t reveal any spoilers), I got to thinking about how there’s so much I learned from Love on the Spectrum, and how much we all can—especially in our love lives. Where so often dating advice is premised on ‘not being too much of this or that’, ‘Love on the Spectrum’ flips many of these conventional notions entirely, and we might all just be better off to take notes from our friends on the Spectrum.

Dating Tips We Can All Take From ‘Love on the Spectrum’

Thoughtful gift giving is in

One of the sweetest parts about the show was how thoughtful the participants were in the gifts they gave each other on dates.

Whether it was Tyler giving Madison a Cinderella bracelet charm (she had told him that princesses were her special interest), or Abby gifting David a candy charcuterie board filled with all his favourite sweets, these touches of thoughtfulness were precious.

So, if you’re going on another date with the same person (even if things are still fairly new), consider adding a small, but thoughtful gift to the equation. Something as simple as a keychain with their favourite animal on it can go a long way; it shows not only that you put in more effort than simply showing up, but also that you paid attention to things they told you.

Unapologetically authentic, always

There’s a loud irony in the typical world of dating. You’re trying to connect with someone, but you’re too afraid to be yourself. Following that skewed logic, people forge faux connections, and it’s oftentimes all uphill from there (just watch 27 Dresses again, feel frustrated at Tess, and you’ll get the picture).

Authenticity should always be front and centre when you’re connecting with someone new, and something the participants handled like pros, no matter how nervous they were. In fact, explaining nerves was a part of their authenticity. Tanner made a point of mentioning to his dates that he ‘didn’t have anything to say’ at certain points on their adventures, not to be rude, but to simply explain his moments of silence.

While we don’t all need to share every thought on a date, there is something to be said about allowing people the experience of our own self-honesty. So, don’t go eating food you don’t like to impress someone, or pretending to love a type of music you can’t stand (you’ll thank yourself down the line when you’re spared listening to heavy metal for the rest of your relationship because you claimed to be a huge fan on that first date).

Asking for permission is the vibe

There was something so commendable about the way participants handled asking permission when it came to any kind of physical touch. From hand-holding to first kisses, each made sure the other was okay and comfortable with the idea of new forms of closeness, and it’s certainly something many neurotypicals could learn from.

Leading people on isn’t cute

I loved how participants made their intentions known. So many times in the show ‘honesty is the best policy’ was said, and most importantly, communicated.

Rejection stings for anyone. But it’s a lot easier to get over a first date brand of connection than a whole confusing situationship or relationship built on nothing more than one party hoping to not hurt the other’s feelings.

Even when it’s tough (as it was for James in letting one of his dates know there wouldn’t be a second date), being up-front speaks volumes about character.

Sources: 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.

The post Dating Tips We Can All Take From ‘Love on the Spectrum’  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Fed up with the constant rain keeping you in a constant state of praying for things to dry? Us too! But charities are feeling it hardest, so this is how we can all lend a helping hand; one washing load at a time.

South Africa (09 April 2025) – It has been raining in most parts of South Africa, endlessly, for months on end. Most of South Africa is at its wits’ end (it’s me, I am at my wits’ end), and summer has seemingly been overcast, wet, and miserable. It makes one wonder which country they really live in, because this weather is so foreign to us all.

It feels wrong to pray for the rain to stop, but if we could just have one full day of sunshine so that we can dry out, that isn’t a big ask.

I recently shared a weather rant on my community group, and while it was very well-received, I still felt like I needed to say more. The initial rant came from feeling frustrated that it takes 36 hours to dry anything, and then, it inevitably smells of damp. Splashed with elements of humour, I reckon the community really enjoyed it. BUT while it may have smelled of damp… it also screams of privilege, which hasn’t sat right with me.

I was speaking with a local charity that has been affected by the rain. The founder has just about given in as running a charity, especially one catered to protecting children, means washing… Lots of washing! She shared that this week alone, she has had to wash and rewash baby clothes, blankets, towels, and all the paraphernalia that comes with running a baby sanctuary to the tune of 70 loads! Yes, 70.

And it got me thinking. While I can hang my damp towels and washing in my spare room and close the door, others can’t. So how do we address that? Well, one simple act of kindness at a time!

Gauteng may be in the thick of torrential downpours and flooding now, but the Cape winter is on the way, and this reality is about to be theirs too, so we can confidently say this list is a great help to all South Africans.

Do a load to reduce the load!

If you have a washer and dryer, some time on your hands and a few extra units to spare, reach out to a cause close to your heart and offer a helping hand. This can be an animal shelter, baby sanctuary, old-aged home, homeless shelter or any organisation where humans and animals are trying to stay dry.

The same applies to the staff who work in your homes; many South African labourers and workers are trudging home in the pouring rain, getting soaked to the bone. There most definitely isn’t time for their essential clothing and shoes to dry overnight – so offer to dry a load and make life that much easier for your household team.

Donate your unused blankets and towels.

We all have a blanket or set of towels in the cupboard that we don’t use. Animal shelters really need these items now that Autumn and Winter are on the way. Blankets also help keep people warm – so if you have anything to spare, be the difference!

Umbrellas, Sturdy Shoes and Waterproof Jackets Help!

It may not be spring, but a spring clean of your wardrobe can really help keep others stay warm this winter. Think jackets, jerseys, warm socks, gloves, scarves and even an umbrella. These items go a very long way in keeping people warm and as dry as possible.

Souped Up and Ready to Go!

The fastest way to warm up a person is to feed them a nourishing, warm and hearty meal. Whether you hand out soup sachets, bags/jars of hope or donate to a soup kitchen, keeping people nourished takes a big bite out of the bitter cold.

A warm cup of tea or coffee for the car-guard watching your precious wheel is a welcome treat too. Having done this one many times, seeing the guys clutch onto the warmth of a coffee, as they guide you out of your spot, will totally warm you inside.

If you are interested in bags/jars of hope, they are an inexpensive way to help. Read more here.

Wooly-wares.

While weather-appropriate clothing has already been discussed, many organisations are also in need of wool to make woolly items such as blankets, beanies and scarves. If you have wool to donate, there is an organisation ready to accept the donation.

Knitters are ready and waiting to turn your donation into something warm for others.

There are many other ways we can help people and animals ease into winter, so if we missed a way to help, let us know in the comment section!

Looking for causes to support, you can find all our charity lists here. Whether you are looking for an animal shelter in your province, organisations caring for the elderly or a list of homeless shelters, we have got you, and those in need, covered!

Sources: GTG

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.

Raining, raining and raining.

The post It’s Raining, It’s Pouring and It’s Time to Do Something About It! appeared first on Good Things Guy.