“This is a fantastic example of a community coming together.” After a whopping 72 puppies were discovered in a small area in the Free State, the Cluny Animal Trust knew it was only a matter of time before that number exploded. Understanding that sterilisation is imperative to prevent dogs in poverty, the community have come together in a big way to help with a fantastic vacation raffle.

Rosendal, South Africa (29 May 2025) — Whilst doing outreach earlier this month, the Eastern Free State-based Cluny Animal Trust discovered a boom of puppies in a small town. This set off sirens of concern as a dog over-population crisis looms for the Mautse community in Rosendal.

A total of 72 puppies, most being female. This means that there will be more puppy booms to come if sterilisation action isn’t taken. Should the situation go unchecked, animal poverty is likely to rise given the size of Mautse and its limited capacity to care for the dogs.

The answer? Sterilisation. The solution? Community.

Sterilisations are no freebies, and the Cluny Animal Trust needs to raise a small fortune to help the animal population get under control again. Thankfully, the dog moms have been sterilised.

In fantastic news, Imogen Tarita of the Cluny Animal Trust tells Good Things Guy that the Rosendal community have already banded together to help raise the necessary funds by organising a travel raffle.

Hand-in-hand with the non-profit, people have come together to raise the R36,000 by way of a weekend trip raffle in the artist town of Rosendal.

The raffle boasts a 3 night stay at a local country retreat, dinner, breakfast, a sunset experience at Holkrans and even a picnic from PotLuck! It’s the perfect getaway for two.

With raffle tickets going for only R200, those entering can look forward to not only a unique travel experience in a gorgeous part of the Free State, but also knowing that they have contributed to animal wellbeing nearby.

Those keen to support the community and the Cluny Animal Trust can enter by emailing imogen@clunyanimaltrust.co.za. The draw date is 31 August and there are only 180 tickets available, so get them quick!

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A post shared by Cluny Animal Trust (@cluny_animal_trust)

Sources: Imogen Tarita 

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

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

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

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

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

Koru Camp Launches Revamped Educational Facility to Deepen Community Conservation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources: GTG Interview

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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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Once struggling to find a job after school, Minenhle Simelane turned to his grandmother’s mat-making machine to craft something truly special: mats made from discarded waste!

Durban, South Africa (29 May 2025) – To transform discarded plastic waste into unique, handmade products, promoting sustainability and environmental conservation. This is the powerful motivation behind Minenhle Simelane’s colourful and stunning mats made from plastic and other waste.

Originally from rural eShowe and currently residing in Durban, Minenhle matriculated from Embizweni High School in 2018.

After facing challenges with unemployment, he chose to create mats from waste materials as a way to make ends meet and creatively contribute to environmental conservation.

Drawing inspiration from his grandmother, he used the Imbongolo (mat-making machine) to make these mats from waste collected from the roadside, rivers or dumpsites.

Over time, he found purpose in transforming discarded plastic waste into beautiful, handmade products, which in turn help him make money and address the alarming rate of plastic consumption.

With the increasing demand for mats this year, Minenhle has taken on four workers under his wing and is working towards developing his business. In his own words, “trash has created jobs and brought smiles to their faces”.

In support of Minenhle’s journey of using artistic expression to save the environment, Woza Moya stocks his mats for the public to view and purchase at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT).

Moving forward, he hopes to grow his business and generate more job opportunities, fuelled by the growing demand for his eco-friendly products.

It is so inspiring to see young people not only make the most of their circumstances but also contribute to preserving the planet we all share in such creative ways. We wish you all the success, Minenhle!

Sources: Woza Moya | Minenhle Simelane

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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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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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Ten teens are coming together, using sport to powerfully rewrite the narrative that is often told about the youth of Lamontville. With fire and determination, they’re ready to make waves at the highly anticipated Oceans 8 Charity Swim.

Durban, South Africa (29 May 2025) – Sport is paving the way for a promising future for 10 passionate young swimmers in the heart of Durban’s Lamontville township as they prepare to realise their shared dream of competing in the Oceans 8 Charity Swim in June.

The six boys and four girls from LSA have been training, hoping for the opportunity to compete in this open-water swim that will not only test their sporting limits but also enhance their mental and physical well-being.

Thanks to funding from the Balwin Foundation, the 10 competitors from Lamontville Swimming Academy (LSA) will get to dive into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in the high-profile, open water swim taking place at Vetch’s Beach, Durban Undersea Club.

The swimming event presents a unique opportunity for each child, with the competition building confidence in young swimmers, as well as exposing them to further sponsorship and upliftment opportunities.

From Township Pool to Ocean Challenge

Life in Lamontville is characterised by various challenges such as crime, drug abuse, and unemployment. However, LSA offers a beacon of hope for the township community by teaching swimming skills and nurturing young talent.

An anonymous donation in 2024 enabled four LSA swimmers to participate in the Oceans 8 Charity Swim for the first time as part of the Youth Development Swimmers Programme. The story of these swimmers captured the hearts of many and led to generous gear donations from Arena South Africa, as well as greater visibility for the Academy’s mission.

“As a coach, it’s been inspiring to work with such a dedicated group in our swimming club. These young swimmers are showing real character, training hard, and aiming high. Some have already competed and done incredibly well. We all share the same vision, to grow in the sport, compete on big stages, and represent our community with pride,” commented Coach Lungisani Zulu.

“We’ve already produced many lifeguards serving across Durban’s beaches, but my dream is to one day see the first swimmer from our community stand on the Olympic podium. With support from Oceans 8, Arena, Balwin Foundation NPC and our local leaders, we’re building something powerful.”

With the 2025 event fast approaching, Oceans 8 Charity Swim event spokesperson, Nicci Carvalho, said she was excited to host swimmers from the LSA again this year and is incredibly grateful for the support toward their Youth Development Swimmers Programme.

“Together, we’re opening up opportunities and creating real change – in and out of the water.”

Sources: Supplied

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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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Against their will, Grace and Thomas Khumalo’s braai area turned into an Airbnb for owls in what has become a hilarious series of events that has seen the same owl family come back to the braai time and time again.

Gauteng, South Africa (29 May 2025) — The first time the Khumalo’s realised they were unknowingly running an Airbnb for Owls, it was a bit of a drama and an event; Thomas and Grace Khumalo thought it would be a one-time thing.

In May last year, it was revealed that the Khumalo’s built-in braai had been chosen by a breeding pair of Barn Owls as the perfect accommodation to raise their fledglings. None-the-wiser, the human couple were caught completely off guard when they discovered the feathered family (it’s not every day three owls choose your braai to nest, after all).

Enter wildlife rescuer and accidental owl concierge Shawn Hefer.

As the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center recall, Shawn arrived to help both families and “with the air of someone who’s opened one too many owl filled ovens, Shawn calmly approached the braai door. The moment he opened it, one of the three owls launched itself into the room in a flurry of wings and indignation.”

Shawn caught the owl carefully while a shocked Grace watched the scene unfold.

Eventually, the owls were taken to their new (and far more fitting accommodation) at the Owl Rescue Centre.

However, this was not the last the Khumalo’s would see of their owl guests. Fast forward to this year, and guess who came back for another stay in the braai?

“The same feathered squatters, clearly feeling nostalgic (or just opportunistic), returned for round two after discovering the chimney was still blissfully unmeshed. (Hey.. If it ain’t blocked, why stop the flock)?” The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center shared.

This time, a teen owl (a young fledgling) had made himself at home, and Shawn once again got the Khumalo’s call.

This rescue was an easier effort as Shawn set the fledging on the ground and watched him fly off into the sunset.

But, he’d clearly given the braai a five-star review, as just a few weeks later, another female fledging popped by!

“When the third owl-related WhatsApp lit up on Shawn Hefer’s phone, he didn’t even blink. He just burst out laughing. Of course it was Grace and Thomas. Of course it was another Barn owl in their braai. (At this stage, we’re considering a loyalty card)!” The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center commented.

Hot on the case again, the owl was carefully moved from her accommodation and into the rehabilitation centre’s clinic to join other fledglings.

The urgency to mesh the area had never been more clear to the Khumalo’s.

As the SA Wildlife Rehabilitation Center share in reference to meshing the chimney,

“Thomas, with a weary smile and the haunted look of a man who’s learned the hard way that owls will be back, promised to sort it out.”

Sources: South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

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

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

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

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

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Juffrou Angelique (@juffrouangelique)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources: Juffrou Angelique

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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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Far too many kids in the Eastern Cape are born into challenging circumstances that place them in a very disadvantaged position. Jono Kruger has made it his personal mission to support a cause that inspires them to learn, play, and gain the skills and motivation needed for success.

Mdantsane, South Africa (29 May 2025) – A significant percentage of youngsters in the Eastern Cape achieve poor results in language and mathematics, do not have access to sports equipment and have experienced some form of trauma or abuse.

It is this alarming and unfair reality, which threatens the potential and prosperity of many youth in a single province, that has inspired Jono Kruger to not only co-found Edu-Sport in East London but also support the cause in just about every way possible.

Edu-Sport is a youth empowerment organisation that provides education and sport to those who need it most. Through its Cubs Rugby Learning Academy, it provides educational and sporting opportunities to young children in the Mdantsane community of the Eastern Cape.

The academy’s primary goal is to provide a hub of excellence to children who could never afford the experience.

The Cub’s programme, in particular, is designed to ensure that the challenges these children face are addressed early on in their lives, while providing opportunities and a safe space for children to learn, play and grow.

To further fuel the initiative’s reach and impact, Jono will be running the ultimate human race, the Comrades Marathon, to raise critical funds for this life-changing work.

“We see Cubs players developing the passion, skills, knowledge, and motivation to become successful adults.

“Funds raised will contribute to the education, coaching and nutrition of the Cubs participants,” Jono says.

Every step Jono takes from the moment that the starting pistol goes off will be for the future generation.

Pledges or donations can be made on Jono’s crowdfunding campaign on Sport for Lives.

Sources: Sport for Lives | Edu-Sport

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Just two days after his unforgettable suburban stroll, Gordy the elephant seal has resurfaced in Simon’s Town… still big, still blubbery and still ridiculously adorable.

Western Cape, South Africa (29 May 2025) – Just two days after his surprise city stroll had South Africans glued to their screens, Gordy the elephant seal is back… and he’s safe, snoozing peacefully at the Naval Base in Simon’s Town.

Yes, that elephant seal.

The one who turned a sleepy Tuesday morning in Gordon’s Bay into a national moment of joy, curiosity and community connection.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has just confirmed the good news via social media: “ GORDY’S BACK – BUT HE’S SAFE! Our favourite blubbery visitor has hauled out again—this time at the Naval Base in Simon’s Town.”

They added that Gordy is currently in a secure location, far from roads and traffic, and “there’s no immediate risk to his well-being.”

City officials and SPCA Inspectors are on scene, keeping a close eye on him. But for now, Gordy’s just doing what elephant seals do best… lounging. Resting on land (or “hauling out,” as marine folk call it) is completely normal behaviour for these ocean giants, especially when they’re moulting or recovering from long swims.

The gentle giant made headlines earlier this week when he wandered nearly a kilometre inland through Gordon’s Bay, delighting locals and confusing motorists. Videos of him resting his head on a police car bonnet (and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA bonnet) while traffic stopped to accommodate him went viral. Some folks even questioned if the footage was real. (Spoiler alert: it very much was.)

Social media users were quick to name him. Some called him “Gordon” (for obvious reasons), others preferred “Gordy,” and local news guru Gugu Statu affectionately dubbed him “Chonky”… which, let’s be honest, suits him just as perfectly.

But behind the laughter and viral moments was something far more profound: a full-scale, coordinated rescue effort powered by compassion and teamwork.

From SPCA inspectors and marine biologists to the SAPS, traffic officers, Shark Spotters, and even Two Oceans Aquarium—teams moved quickly to ensure Gordy was safe. He was sedated, gently loaded into a game capture trailer, and returned to Koggel Bay, a quieter beach more suitable for a marine mammal of his size.

“It truly takes a village,” said SPCA’s Belinda Abraham. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up – for their professionalism, their compassion, and their quick response to an animal in distress.”

This was the moment Gordy/Chonky made its way back home. pic.twitter.com/MipvAFmTAY

— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) May 27, 2025

And now, two days later, our slippery celebrity has reappeared… this time in a spot where he’s away from humans, stress and selfie-seekers.

We absolutely love this story but it isn’t just about a wayward elephant seal. It’s about what happens when a community comes together to show kindness, patience and care for something wild and unexpected. It’s about the kids in pyjamas who came running to see the seal. The neighbours who gave him space. The police officers who gently redirected traffic. The marine experts who worked behind the scenes. And the South Africans across the country who found joy in watching it all unfold.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a 600kg marine mammal with a sense of adventure to bring us together.

Welcome back, Gordy. Rest well big guy… we’ve got your back.

*Just before releasing Gordy on Tuesday, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA team tagged him so that they could monitor (and recognise him) if he visited us again.

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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