South African teacher Nadine Smith has been awarded internationally for her efforts in STEM education. One of four global recipients, the educator was the sole African awardee.

Global (27 May 2025) — South African teacher Nadine Smith is a Coding and Robotics educator who recently made the local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field enormously proud when she was honoured with a prestigious award. Nadine was awarded the 025 EDGE in Tech Athena Award for Early Career Leadership!

Awarded by the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS) at the University of California, Nadine was honoured as part of a unique ceremony at UC Berkeley.

The South African teacher was the only recipient from Africa and one of just four global recipients of the award.

Nadine’s accolade celebrates individuals who are leading the charge in creating technology ecosystems that are more diverse, equitable and impactful.

“I believe every child deserves to see themselves in STEAM,” Nadine says. STEAM encompasses STEM fields but with the addition of art.

“Through coding and robotics, I strive to ignite confidence, curiosity, and creativity in learners, especially those who don’t yet realise they belong in tech. This award is not just a personal milestone, but a reminder of the importance of creating inclusive learning spaces where all young minds can dream, build and lead,” she says.

Beyond leading initiatives, Nadine also trains fellow teachers in integrating emerging technologies.

“It is incredibly important to recognise the people doing the difficult work of expanding access to essential tech fields,” explains Jill Finlayson, the Managing Director of the CITRIS Innovation Hub (which oversees the awards).

“Those who champion on-ramps into STEM, fair workplaces and welcoming cultures are critical to the development of innovative technologies and help ensure that new solutions will work well for everyone.”

Sources: Supplied 

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

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

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

The post South African Teacher Honoured With Global STEM Innovation Award! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

For the first time, learners from a special needs school in Brackenfell took to the stage at the 15th Shakespeare Schools Festival held in Cape Town over the weekend.

Cape Town, South Africa (22 May 2025) — The crowd cheered after the Paarl School for the Neural Disabled performance of an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the District Six Homecoming Centre. Performers included learners with physical disabilities, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.

For many of the learners, it was their first time performing on “a real stage”, and some had not been to a theatre before.

“When you’re physically disabled, it’s very difficult for your family to take you places [like this],” explained Alet Marais, the head of the intermediate phase at the school.

Some learners decorated their wheelchairs with flowers. Others dressed in whimsical costumes and wore makeup. The auditorium echoed with laughter and cheers throughout the performance, which ended with a standing ovation.

Marais says that because learners struggle with reading and writing, they chose not to use Elizabethan English in the play.

The performing group was made up of 24 learners, seven of whom use wheelchairs. They were assisted by seven teachers and three aides who helped the learners.

Marais says that getting in and out of the theatre with wheelchairs was a challenge which the school solved with mobile ramps.

The 15th Shakespeare Schools Festival runs until 31 May at the District Six Homecoming Centre, with performances by more than 45 drama groups.

The festival aims to bring together children from different communities to perform adapted Shakespeare plays and to improve language, learning and social skills through the performing arts.

Sources: GroundUp

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

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

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

The post Learners with Disabilities Steal the Show at Shakespeare Festival appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Award-winning author Stanley Montsho recently took a break from working on his new book, which is destined for children with special needs, to make a warm donation to the South African Library for the Blind.

Grahamstown, South Africa (30 April 2025) — The South African Library for the Blind recently welcomed a warm donation of fresh books thanks to award-winning author Stanley ‘Stan’ Montsho.

Montsho is an acclaimed writer who has written for both adults and children. A writer who has aimed to challenge conventions for a more inclusive society (even through his children’s books like Ke nosi), Montsho’s efforts don’t simply end at starting conversations.

The author’s donation of three different works (‘Tears in My Hands’, ‘Money Touched Me’ and ‘Lonely by the Window’) came as a welcomed donation to the South African Library for the Blind team, who described the gifts as ‘inspiring’.

“SALB extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Montsho for his thoughtful contribution, which will go a long way in enriching the reading experience of blind and visually impaired readers across South Africa,” SALB said.

“In the spirit of this generous gesture, SALB encourages other authors and publishers to follow suit by donating more inclusive literature. The library also calls for volunteers to support the production of books in accessible formats by becoming narrators of indigenous languages to ensure that all communities are represented and empowered through accessible knowledge.”

SALB is over 100 years old and stands proudly as a force that has helped transform the concept of a library in South Africa. Its humble beginnings date back to 1919 when Josephine Wood met one Miss Comber, and a library based on braille volumes was ideated.

Many years and page-turning moments later, today, SALB provide free braille and audiobooks as well as training on the usage of these resources and device repairs for those who need them across our country.

Sources: SALB

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

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

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

The post SA Library for the Blind Welcomes Books From Award-Winning Author appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Schools supporting learners on the spectrum in under-resourced parts of South Africa are receiving important resources thanks to an innovative iPad Learning Programme.

Pretoria, South Africa (21 April 2025) — Edu-tech initiative iSchoolAfrica’s Disability Inclusion iPad Learning Programme is giving learners on the spectrum an inclusive boost.

At Via Nova School for Autism in Pretoria, the programme was launched as part of iSchoolAfrica’s mission to enhance educational outcomes for learners on the spectrum across South Africa. 

The iSchoolAfrica Disability Inclusion programme hopes to make big strides in helping learners with Autism achieve their full potential, while positively impacting schools, specifically addressing Autism in under-resourced areas.

“Our Disability Inclusion Programme is designed to empower learners by providing personalised, engaging and adaptive learning experiences,” explains Zulaikha Goolam, iSchoolAfrica’s Disability and Inclusion Programme Manager and a paediatric speech therapist.

“iPad built-in accessibility features and curated apps have proven to be a game-changer in classrooms, particularly helping learners with autism connect, communicate and thrive in ways that traditional methods often cannot.” 

The impact of the programme has already been felt in 36 inclusive schools across South Africa, including:

• Vera School for Autism (Cape Town)
• Thulasizwe School for Autism (Soweto)
• Wonderboom Suid Skool (Pretoria)
• Randburg Clinic School (Randburg)
• Dorothea Special School (Stellenbosch), the first special needs school to be recognised as an Apple Distinguished School (ADS), acknowledging its leadership in technology integration.

“At Via Nova, we believe every learner deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter their challenges,” said Ms EJ Sarpong, Principal of Via Nova School. “The introduction of iSchoolAfrica’s iPad Learning Programme will open new doors for our learners – giving them the tools to communicate, engage and grow with confidence. We are proud to be part of a programme that embraces inclusion through innovation and empowers our learners to reach their full potential.”

A New Voice for Learners on the Spectrum

For learners with Autism, technology offers personalised, adaptable learning experiences specific to individual needs, allowing the learners to take in information at their own pace and in their own way.

One of the most significant challenges faced by learners with Autism is communication. Many children on the spectrum struggle with verbal expression, which makes it difficult for them to communicate their needs, thoughts, and emotions in traditional learning environments.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are a fantastic resource for ASD learners because they take the need for typical communication channels out of the equation, providing non-verbal and minimally verbal learners the opportunity to communicate freely!

The iSchoolAfrica programme makes it possible for learners with Autism in under-resourced areas to access high-tech resources like this (which are already built into iPads), with no additional clumsy, and often expensive, devices needed.

These tools, such as speech-generating apps, then help learners process and retain complex concepts to suit their learning style and express themselves in ways they never could before. 

In addition to communication, technology can also play an important role in social skills development for children with Autism.

Through virtual environments and role-playing apps on iPad, learners can practice social interactions in a safe, controlled setting.

This approach allows students to familiarise themselves with real-world scenarios and practice pragmatic social behaviours without the stress or pressure of live interactions.

As for the sensory-related struggles that come with Autism, it’s no secret that traditional classrooms can be vastly overwhelming. iPad devices offer a more sensory-friendly environment where teachers can adjust the content to suit each student’s sensory preferences, whether it’s through calming apps or adjusting screen brightness and volume.

Sources: Supplied 

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

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

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

The post Breaking Barriers With a Tap: Ipad Learning Programme Gives Learners With Autism a Boost appeared first on Good Things Guy.

South African education initiative, iSchoolAfrica Education Trust, was awarded for a groundbreaking initiative involving disability inclusion!

Global (11 March 2025) — South African EduTech and education initiative the iSchoolAfrica Education Trust has been awarded for breaking barriers and paving the way toward a more accessible world for disabled communities.

At the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, the UN CRDP-affiliated ‘Zero Project’ awarded iSchoolAfrica as one of 77  groundbreaking and innovative disability inclusion solutions! This, after a whopping 522 nominations were screened!

The UN CRDP (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) is a global, research-driven initiative aiming to build a world with zero barriers to people with disabilities.

iSchoolAfrica took the award for its Deaf Developers Programme, which trained eight youths to become iOS app developers! The programme also included the introduction of various coding terms into South African Sign Language and helped the developers get employed through iSchool Africa’s corporate partners.

iSchoolAfrica has been hard at work to level playing fields in education since 2009, providing over 100,000 South African learners (many from the most under-resourced parts of the country) from Early Childhood Development levels all the way to matric. They provide world-class tech and education support to nurture learners who and create opportunities South Africa so desperately needs.

The award was warmly received by Michelle Lissoss, iSchool Africa’s Director, who was joined by the South African Ambassador to Austria, Sydney Molekane. 

Being recognised as a Zero Project Awardee is no small feat, and one that the team accepted as a huge honour. 

“Being here among so many changemakers from every corner of the world, with one mission to create a world with zero barriers – is truly an honour. A big shout out to the iSchoolAfrica team and our talented Deaf developers,” Michelle shared.

“With the award, also comes huge responsibility,” she added. “We, as iSchoolAfrica , need to continue working towards a world with zero barriers for people with disabilities, and harnessing the tools available to achieve this.” 

Zero Project awardees were praised by the CEO of the Zero Project, Michael Fembek, for leading the way toward a world with more opportunities for persons with disabilities. 

“Their work is not just technological advancement; it is about building an inclusive future where technology works for everyone,” Michael said. 

Corporates looking to team up with iSchool Africa can get in touch via michelle@ischoolafrica.com, while those looking to help their future efforts can make a donation here. 

Sources: Supplied

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

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

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

The post Local Education Initiative Wins UN-Affiliated Award! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The RSC Rising Star Tennis sport development project has kicked off for 2025, which means another year of opportunities for young tennis talents from underserved communities and those who are disabled:

Mpumalanga, South Africa (11 March 2025) — Undiscovered tennis talents are about to get the opportunity to nurture new skills once again, thanks to the 6th edition of the RSC Rising Star Tennis project—a tennis sport development initiative.

A national project that’s grown impressively over several years, the RSC Rising Star Tennis programme gives school learners opportunities to fall in love with tennis—a sport that typically isn’t accessible for many underserved schools due to the costs attached.

The programme bridges the gap through sporting equipment and facilitating coaching clinics for learners and their coaches. Additionally, there is the big school tennis team competition that gives talents a chance to compete and showcase their skills, which is currently on the lookout for primary and special school tennis teams to partake.

Supporting learners with physical disabilities through tennis is also a big part of Rising Stars. At the launch event in Mpumalanga, Tennis South Africa’s wheelchair tennis manager Patrick Selepe undertook a wheelchair tennis demonstration in an effort to show schools that their learners in wheelchairs are also potential rising stars (the next Kgothatso Montjane or Donald Ramphadi could be at one of the schools!).

In Mpumalanga, the programme has proved to be beneficial, with school teams increasing from just 62 in 2023 to 119 in 2024. 797 schools across the country took part in 2024, and the goal for 2025 is to have 1000 teams at primary school and wheelchair tennis levels.

“By equipping these schools with the necessary tools, we aim to level the playing field and inspire even greater participation and excellence in the years to come, shared Tennis South Africa’s general manager Anthony Moruthane.

Sports development plays a huge role in giving young people opportunities while cultivating character. In South Africa, there are a myriad of charities focused on this sector—from dancing to swimming and all sorts of activities in between. Find them here. 

Sources: Tennis South Africa 

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

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

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

The post Rising Star Tennis Sport Development Project Kicks Off for 2025  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Manyardville Open-Air Festival’s All-Access Programme helped make Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ more accessible to the hard-of-hearing and deaf community:

South Africa (28 February 2025) — This year, the Maynardville Open-Air Festival did some things differently to make sure that their production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ would come to life in a new and more accessible way for the hard-of-hearing community!

An initiative dubbed the ‘All-Access Programme’ was created specifically with this audience in mind in an effort that’s been praised as ‘ground-breaking’.

Through the combined efforts of SASLi, JazzHands, SocioGo, and VR Theatrical, the festival introduced professional South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters, Deaf interpreters, and a loop system for hearing aid users to set a new standard for accessibility in local theatre.

The initiative was well-received by audiences and artists alike.

“I’ve been to many shows with full SASL interpreting, but [ the production on 19 February] felt truly inclusive,” said Jabaar Cassiem Mohamed, DeafS Western Cape Provincial Director and TV Presenter on Accessibility With Jabaar TV Show.

“I could easily see the SASL interpreter, freely watch the artists, and fully absorb the incredible atmosphere. It was a powerful experience—true accessibility makes all the difference!”

Another audience member echoed these sentiments:

“I truly felt fully included. I could clearly see both the SASL and Deaf interpreters from where I was seated, allowing me to comfortably watch the artists perform and immerse myself in the incredible atmosphere. The loop system for hearing aid users was also a game-changer. Let’s all make this the norm!”

For many, the initiative helped deepen the theatrical experience and offered an example of what more accessible theatre should look like.

Sources: Supplied 

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

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

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

The post Initiative Makes Shakespeare More Accessible for Deaf Audiences  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

It’s a new and exciting dawn for neurodivergent learners in Ballito, thanks to a new educational opportunity!

Ballito, South Africa (17 January 2025) – A new dawn for neurodivergent learners in Ballito is here thanks to the EDU360 School officially opened its doors this morning! This marks the beginning of a new era in inclusive education in Ballito—an area in need of diverse education opportunities.

Principal Jacqui McKelvey expressed her excitement and commitment to filling a critical need for a fresh approach to education in the area.

“We are delighted to be able to meet a very real need here in Ballito for an inclusive and adaptable educational model. Having been successfully operating a School and a College in Johannesburg since 2016, we are confident that our innovative approach will provide valuable support to students who require a different way of learning.”

The Johannesburg chapter was responsible for supporting South African achiever Stephanie Pringle, who, last year, made history. Stephanie—who is Autistic—became the first person in the world to pass her Cambridge exams with a letterboard! (You can read all about it here).

The school has become renowned for its personalised educational methods, focusing on a student-centred approach that caters to a variety of learning styles.

Longstanding Ballito community member and professional in the field of education, Kimber Gould, has been instrumental in furthering inclusivity and personalised learning for students with mild to moderate learning differences across the region.

“We are thrilled to have Kimber on board as a key part of our team,” McKelvey added. “Her expertise and deep understanding of the local community will be invaluable as we work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.”

The new campus, located at Sugar Village, comes as a big win for the neurodivergent community.

Sources: Email Submission 

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

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

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

The post A New Dawn for Neurodivergent Learners in Ballito!  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The exhibition ‘Extracts from the Blind Astronomer’ is offering art lovers a way to touch the stars! With a Braille Star Atlas, unintentional puzzles and interactive pieces, Berco Wilsenach’s work challenges the exclusivity of access gorgeously.

Stellenbosch, South Africa (08 January  2025) — A sensory art experience has visitors touching the stars thanks to Berco Wilsenach’s ‘Extracts from the Blind Astronomer’!

Extended following popular interest from viewers who attended the Light Art Festival, ’Extracts from the Blind Astronomer’ will feature works from Wilsenach that took the artist five years to complete.

As an artistic exploration of space and the world ‘out there’, Berco takes a unique approach by asking us not to rely solely on our sight.

The idea isn’t just about stars beyond, though. Dealing with ideas of visual impairment, access to knowledge and the privileged status of certain languages; the sensory art experience is one that also asks us to question the exclusivity of access.

“There’s a strong irony in having a blind astronomer showing all the stars that are visible to the naked eye. All the stars we see, I represent in a tactile way, so you can actually feel them,” Berco says.

In tow and central to the exhibition is the beautiful celestial guide ‘Star Atlas’—a book made up of knowledge describing the stars, written entirely in Braille.

“What’s beautiful about the book is that it’s exhibited in a way that embraces light, darkness and shadows to play with the senses,” Berco reflects.

Interactive puzzles are evident in another piece, ‘Stone Universe, ’ which is especially popular amongst the most curious humans—children.

But, the works are for anyone interested in viewing the world beyond our own in a different way.

“It allows a very large range of people to access the work on totally different levels,” explains Berco. “Children are trying to fit the right pieces to put the puzzle together even though there is no mention of it being a puzzle or indications of what should go where.

“People eventually just realise they should be interacting with it. I think art is very successful when you can communicate visually without actually telling people what to do,” concludes the artist.

The exhibition is set to be on display until 12 January at Spier Wine Farm’s Old Wine Cellar in Stellenbosch.

Sources: Supplied 

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

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

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

The post ‘Extracts from the Blind Astronomer’ Exhibition Touches the Stars appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Thanks to a life-changing opportunity, Anda and Xoliswa will get to grow their dreams! Now, Anda will be able to hire more people with disabilities while Xoliswa will get to create more jobs through the love of coffee.

Cape Town, South Africa (27 November 2024) — Anda Mthulu and Xoliswa Tyeya are both entrepreneurs and dreamers who recently caught a big break that will see their businesses and dreams grow.

Both have been selected as this year’s Board Development Fund recipients—an opportunity that will support their deserving businesses through funding and mentorship and something Cape Town Tourism shares it is proud to empower them with.

Anda runs a local business known as MSI ShoeShine and Services. For eight years, the business has provided shoe cleaning, leather rehabilitation and hotel gift shop management all while championing inclusivity by employing people with disabilities.

Anda has a disability himself. So, when the BDF news came his way, he knew the first point of call would be to expand the businesses’ inclusivity by hiring more people with disabilities and those from underserved areas as well as extend its reach into more hotels and shopping centres.

“I see my business grow. I see my business expanding. This funding means a lot to me personally. We are now able to train and then employ more people with disabilities from disadvantaged communities,” Anda shares.

As for Xoliswa’s business, Imbizo African Coffee Co; the business-boost will also help Xoliswa create more jobs for other.

You might have visited the coffee bar on Long Street or tasted their goodness at different retailers. Either way, once you’ve tasted the brew, you know it’s not your regular cuppa! Known for excellent coffee, Imbizo African Coffee Co’s secret lies in the premium beans they source across Africa from small-scale Fair-Trade farmers. This way, the business not only promotes inter-continental trading, but also proudly African products.

Shares Xoliswa on being awarded the BDF support:

“This support is a game-changer for us! With the new equipment we will purchase, we will increase productivity, improve efficiency, and secure more retail partnerships. It’s an incredible opportunity for growth, expansion, and creating new jobs.”

About the BDF Fund:

Since its inception in 2013, the Board Development Fund (BDF) has played an important role in providing strategic support to dozens of small, medium and micro enterprises. This support helps them grow and innovate in ways all important to the local economy.

“The Board Development Fund is a testament to what can be achieved when we invest in local talent,” says Tracy Mkhize, Chairperson of Cape Town Tourism’s Board. “Imbizo Coffee Co and MSI ShoeShine and Services are not just businesses—they’re examples of how entrepreneurship drives inclusivity, creates jobs, and contributes to our shared economic future. We are honoured to support their journeys.”

Both Anda and Xoliswa will participate in a 12-month progress-monitored mentorship programme with funding paid in quarterly tranches after the approval by mentors and other authority figures.

Sources: Supplied

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

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

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

The post Anda and Xoliswa Get a Life-Changing Chance to Grow Their Dreams! appeared first on Good Things Guy.