The united efforts of our brave firefighters have seen them face raging flames head-on in the Tokai and Silvermine areas of Table Mountain since Friday, as crews work hard on the ground day and night to contain the wildfire and protect surrounding communities.

Cape Town, South Africa (29 April 2025) – About 250 brave firefighters have been working tirelessly and bravely on the ground since Friday, trying to put out a ravaging wildfire in the Tokai and Silvermine areas of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).

According to TMNP, while winds were calm during the early Sunday evening, they picked up around midnight on Monday, 28 April, requiring intense firefighting activity to manage flare-ups.

Undeterred by challenging conditions, including shifting winds and low visibility, these heroes have worked together with aerial support to protect the natural environment and surrounding communities.

Fresh crews were deployed yesterday morning to relieve those on the ground, and four helicopters were on standby to resume water-bombing operations as soon as low mist and lingering smoke lifted.

As of yesterday evening, while the wildfire was still ongoing, crews have made commendable progress in managing flare-ups and controlling fire conditions in the Zwaanswyk, Ou Kaapse Weg, Silvermine, and Noordhoek areas, preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby communities.

While there has also been substantial damage to about 3,000 hectares of vegetation, thankfully, there haven’t been reports of structural damage.

It is difficult to fully comprehend what these firefighters may have witnessed, endured and experienced over the past few hours. These courageous men and women have faced the flames head-on, risking their own safety to safeguard the environment and the well-being of the community. For all this, we cannot thank and applaud them enough!

The Tokai and Silvermine hiking trails remain closed until further notice, and the public is urged to avoid the central and southern sections of Table Mountain National Park for their own safety.

Sources: Table Mountain National Park

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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 Firefighters Stand Strong Against Table Mountain Wildfire appeared first on Good Things Guy.

One simple act of kindness, one honest heart and one forgotten handbag… and just like that, South Africa is reminded that everyday heroes are still among us.

Johannesburg, South Africa (28 April 2025) – Sometimes, all it takes is one small moment to restore a bit of our faith in the goodness of people… and this story is exactly that.

South African icon PJ Powers – the legendary singer-songwriter affectionately known as “Thandeka” – has shared a beautiful story that is now making its way around social media for all the right reasons.

PJ Powers has been a celebrated figure in South African music for decades, famously blending pop and traditional sounds and using her platform to bring people together through difficult times. And now, she’s using her voice to highlight a different kind of hero.

It all started at Fourways Mall, where PJ’s sister, Priscilla Ann Dunlop, was doing a spot of shopping. In a flurry of errands, she accidentally left her handbag, packed with everything from her cellphone to her wallet, driver’s licence and ID card, in her trolley. It was only when she was nearly at the mall exit that she heard a commotion behind her. Running towards her, bag in hand, was Phumudzo Netshitomboni, a guard working for Fidelity Services Group. Shouting to get her attention, Phumudzo had spotted the forgotten handbag and didn’t hesitate for a second to sprint after her, making sure everything was safely returned.

PJ shared the heartfelt moment on her Facebook page, writing:

“I’m posting it cause it’s these simple acts of kindness and honesty we need to hear about. Phumudzo is a credit to his company and in my opinion deserves a pat on his back for doing his job with such enthusiasm.”

And it turns out the world agreed. PJ’s post has already garnered over 63,000 likes and sparked a flood of comments celebrating Phumudzo’s beautiful act of integrity:

“So encouraging and it is good news indeed to have some amongst who are still perfect human beings.”

“Makes my heart so happy you did good and are an incredible human Phumudzo.”

“Thanks you Phumudzo. But also to you Legend PJ Powers enkosi…. remember you could have kept quiet about it but you chose to give this young man his flowers. Also people like you who appreciate the good done must be also thanked… Phumudzo is a star.”

“Great! This is a great gesture and the spirit of ubuntu! Well done young man!”

Stories like this are a breath of fresh air! A reminder that while the world can sometimes feel heavy, there are still people choosing kindness, choosing honesty and going the extra mile simply because it’s the right thing to do.

Phumudzo’s quick thinking and genuine heart didn’t just save Priscilla from a massive headache, it gave all of us a story worth smiling about.

To Phumudzo: thank you for being a real-life good thing. Your actions prove that integrity and goodness are alive and well, stitched quietly into everyday moments. May your kindness ripple far beyond Fourways Mall and inspire many more just like you.

Sources: PJ Powers 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.

The post Viral Good News: Hero Guard Chases Down Shopper to Return Lost Handbag appeared first on Good Things Guy.

It started like any other commute… gospel songs, coffee cups and early morning quiet. But just before 7am, a young woman went into labour on a moving train. And four women became unexpected midwives in one of the most beautiful moments you could imagine.

Western Cape, South Africa (24 April 2025) – The morning commute is usually filled with half-asleep passengers, headphones in, eyes on the day ahead. But yesterday, on this particular train heading to Claremont Station, something unforgettable happened… something raw, real and incredibly beautiful.

Just before 7am, a young woman’s water broke while on the train. Most passengers instinctively stepped away, unsure of what to do. But four incredible women – Roxanne Koorts, Christine Marthinus, Samantha Hendricks, and Johanna Keever – did the opposite.

They moved closer.

“Just before everything changed, we were doing what we do every morning, we were singing gospel together,” the ladies explained in an interview.

At first, they were shocked when they realised the passenger was going into labour but they knew they had to help. Without any hesitation, the four of them jumped into action.

“I had mixed emotions but I got up and went closer,” Roxanne shared, still visibly emotional.

The group, who all work together in a cleaning department, are no strangers to working as a team. But nothing could have prepared them for what came next. None of them had ever assisted in a birth before. They weren’t doctors or nurses and yet in that moment, instinct, heart and courage kicked in. Without hesitation, they sprang into action. They cleared space in the carriage, creating a calm zone in the middle of morning madness. Between comforting words, whispered prayers, and deep breaths, they helped the mother through each contraction… holding her hand, steadying her shoulders and reminding her she wasn’t alone.

They didn’t panic. They didn’t back away. They simply showed up in the most human way possible.

Johanna, who didn’t believe she was capable of helping someone give birth, says she put her trust in the Lord. With steady hands and a calm presence, she literally caught the newborn as she entered the world, right there between stations, in the middle of rush-hour chaos.

Christine says the moment the baby arrived was unexplainable, “We were shouting. It was a joyful moment to see a life come into this world in front of our eyes.”

The passengers, once unsure and silent, erupted into applause. In a moment that felt straight out of a movie, the quiet tension transformed into celebration. There were cheers, tears and a shared sense of awe at what had just unfolded.

The four women, still holding the mother and her newborn in a protective circle, asked another kind stranger to phone emergency services. An ambulance was arranged to meet them at Claremont Station.

The mother and her baby girl were taken to the hospital, both safe and healthy, thanks to the quick thinking, steady hands and fearless hearts of four everyday women who chose kindness over comfort. Who didn’t look away. Who said yes to the moment.

The ladies say the experience will stay with them forever.

“When that little one was in her hands and started crying, it was so beautiful to see,” Samantha shared, her voice soft and eyes glistening.

It’s the kind of story that makes you pause. A reminder that compassion is still alive. That there are strangers willing to go the extra mile… or in this case, the extra station stop for someone in need.

To these four women, we just want to say thank you. You reminded us what being human is really about.

And to the little girl born on a train… you arrived with a whole carriage full of love.

Sources: Interview with Good Things Guy 

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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 Baby on Board: A Train. A Birth. And Four Brave Women. appeared first on Good Things Guy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To the Parker family, your courage is contagious.

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

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

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

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

Sources: Andrew and Tarryn Parker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let that sink in.

Eleven and a half years.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simple. But powerful.

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

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

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

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

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

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

And maybe that’s the lesson here.

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

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

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

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

Sources: Interview with Tony Hoggins in Pennington 

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

When Ripfumelo Pascalia Chauke walked across the graduation stage at Rhodes University, she wasn’t just receiving a degree… she was carrying the hopes of an entire community with her.

Eastern Cape, South Africa (14 April 2025) – Ripfumelo Chauke’s graduation is far more than a personal milestone, it’s a remarkable story of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment that’s inspiring South Africans from Soweto and beyond.

Born and raised in a small township in Soweto, Ripfumelo grew up surrounded by the weight of socio-economic hardship. From a young age, she was no stranger to the challenges many in her community face: high school dropout rates, unemployment and a daily fight to rise above the odds. But despite this, Ripfumelo dared to dream. And she never let go of that dream.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from, who you are, or who your family is,” she says. “If you’re passionate about something, you will always achieve it.”

She was the first in her family to pass matric with a Bachelor’s Pass but financial challenges forced her to take a gap year while others moved on. Her parents were unemployed, and without access to funding, enrolling at university seemed impossible. Still, she kept her eyes on the prize.

“It was difficult watching my peers move on with their studies,” she reflects. “But I never lost sight of my goal. I had always wanted to study at Rhodes.”

That dream became reality when she was accepted into Rhodes University for a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political and International Studies and isiXhosa Language Acquisition. But even then, the journey was anything but easy. With no financial support, Ripfumelo had to get creative to survive. So she launched a hair salon out of her residence room and later added a tuck shop — all while juggling her academic workload.

“Balancing academics and entrepreneurship was tough,” she admits. “But I had no choice. I needed to survive and still perform.”

And she didn’t stop there.

Ripfumelo took on leadership roles with Rhodes University’s Community Engagement division, was elected to her residence’s House Committee and worked as a student assistant. Every step of the way, she leaned into the challenges, determined to lead and grow.

“To be a Rhodes University student is to be a leader,” she says. “But before you can lead others, you must lead yourself.”

Against all odds, Ripfumelo completed her degree in record time, graduating with distinction in isiXhosa Language Acquisition. Her proudest moment? Knowing she didn’t just earn a qualification for herself.

“I never lost sight of the goal. This degree is not just mine – it’s for my whole community,” she says.

That’s the heart of it: this graduation is not only proof of academic excellence but a shining reminder that even the toughest circumstances cannot stop someone with enough grit, drive and vision. It’s about showing the youth of Soweto, and anyone who needs to hear it, that their future is not written in statistics.

“Graduating means I’ve proven to myself and my community that it can be done. I want my story to show young people in Soweto that they don’t have to be statistics. They can be success stories.”

Ripfumelo now hopes to continue her journey in political and social development, using her voice, and the voices of her community, to help shape a better future.

“I want to be part of the conversations that shape the future of this continent,” she says.

To students still in the trenches, her advice is real: “Stay committed to your goals. Have self-discipline, especially if you’re juggling academics and a business. Self-discipline is the way out. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Because, as Ripfumelo Chauke has so beautifully shown us, brilliance doesn’t always come from privilege. Sometimes, it grows from a tiny seed of hope… nurtured by hard work, courage and the belief that better is possible.

And this? This is what good things look like.

Sources: Rhodes University 

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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 Student Graduates with Distinction After Funding Her Own Studies appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Shannon Elizabeth walked away from Hollywood fame to fight for something far bigger than the big screen: the survival of endangered wildlife in Africa.

Western Cape, South Africa (13 April 2025) – It’s not every day a Hollywood star swaps film sets for the African bush… but Shannon Elizabeth did exactly that.

Best known for her role in American Pie (and Scary Movie, and Love Actually, and Jay and Silent Bob), she stepped away from the glitz and glamour to protect some of the planet’s most vulnerable animals. Now, her spotlight shines on rhinos, conservation and a mission rooted in real impact.

But this isn’t a new phase or a fleeting passion project. It’s been over two decades in the making.

Back in 2001, while still living in Los Angeles, Shannon started Animal Avengers, a non-profit focused on dog and cat rescue.

“I started looking at dog and cat rescues in LA because dogs were what I knew,” she explained on the Life Outside Poker podcast.

“I realised I want to make my own organisation and, over time, I just wanted to help out more animals on a bigger scale.”

And so began her evolution from pet rescue to conservation trailblazer. Over the years, as her awareness of broader conservation challenges deepened, especially the growing poaching crisis in Africa, Shannon began shifting her focus from domestic animals to endangered wildlife. She took the leap, did the research, visited Africa and eventually made the decision that would change everything: she moved to Cape Town in 2016.

A bold move? Absolutely. But one with incredible impact.

By 2018, she officially launched The Shannon Elizabeth Foundation (SEF) in South Africa, carrying forward her mission with renewed purpose. SEF now champions wildlife conservation through a multi-pronged approach that includes Education & Awareness, Youth Empowerment, Law & Legislation and Land & Community. And yes, Animal Avengers still exists and is now forming part of the foundation’s youth empowerment work.

“We’re building a sanctuary,” Shannon shared at a recent event in Pittsburgh.

“We have a blind black rhino we’ve been taking care of and we’re going to bring in more rhinos as soon as we can do an expansion.”

That blind black rhino is Munu, and his story is nothing short of extraordinary.

In 2019, Munu was discovered wandering helplessly in Addo Elephant National Park. Completely blind and vulnerable, he was in serious danger. With lions circling, it was only a matter of time. But conservationist Brett Barlow stepped in, refusing to let Munu become another heartbreaking statistic. He got Munu to safety… and eventually into the care of Shannon and her team.

Munu isn’t just any rhino. He’s a South-western Black Rhino, one of the rarest subspecies in the world, and he now lives under the careful, loving eye of the SEF team. He’s safe. Protected. And loved.

And soon, his story will be shared with the world.

Shannon is currently working on a documentary titled “Munu – A Rhino Love Story,” which explores not only Munu’s journey but the urgent need for conservation work like hers.

It’s a story of resilience, of humans stepping up and of the deep connections that can form between species, even when the world stops watching.

“It was really fun,” Shannon reflected on her acting career. “I love acting and I love creating… but I’m just really grateful that I had that opportunity and could create some things that people seem to like.”

She hasn’t left creativity behind, she’s simply channelled it into something that might just change the world. Because sometimes, the biggest roles we play aren’t on-screen, they’re the ones that make a difference long after the credits roll.

Sources: Shannon Elizabeth Foundation 

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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 Watch: Hollywood Star Gives It All Up for South Africa appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A kidney, a friendship and a whole lot of kindness. Kearsney Deputy Head donates kidney to save former student’s life.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (03 April 2025) – Last week, something truly extraordinary happened, a moment that reminds us how deeply people can care for each other, even across decades. Marc Ancillotti, Deputy Head at Kearsney College, underwent surgery to donate a kidney to his friend, Justin Fletcher… a former student he once taught at Michaelhouse 25 years ago.

It’s the kind of story that gives you goosebumps, a story that reminds us what love, friendship and human decency can look like in their purest form.

Justin, who was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, had been told he had just 12 months to find a kidney. At the time, his wife Gaylyn was four months pregnant with their daughter and their lives were thrown into a terrifying spiral of uncertainty.

“My husband was told he had 12 months to find a kidney, to save his life. I was four months pregnant at the time. Our world was never going to be the same again,” she shared.

But then came Marc.

“I first read a ‘plea for help’ on a Michaelhouse Old Boys circular… I read the post and felt God calling me, saying, ‘You got this. Stand up and step forward’. I have never felt so convicted in my life to do something,” Marc wrote in a heartfelt post.

From that moment, Marc never looked back. He faced medical tests, allergic reactions, setbacks and bureaucratic delays. He kept showing up. He kept pushing forward.

“There were so many challenges,” he explained. “I failed tests, my blood pressure readings were out… the blood pressure monitor ‘broke’… I had to carry a 5L canister around at work… but I always knew it would happen.”

And it did.

On the 26th of March 2025, Marc gave a literal piece of himself so that Justin could live the life he deserved — as a husband, a father and the incredible human who lights up every room.

In a bid to ease the overwhelming medical costs, a crowdfunding campaign was launched through BackaBuddy. South Africans from all walks of life rallied together, raising an incredible R654,000 out of the R690,000 target. Proof that kindness still moves mountains.

Why does this matter? Because it’s a reminder that we still live among everyday heroes. That someone can look at an old schoolboy connection and say, “Yes, I’ll give you a part of myself so you can live.” Because Marc didn’t just give an organ… he gave a daughter her dad, a wife her husband, and a community their friend.

As Gaylyn so beautifully put it: “Justin is the epitome of goodness and kindness… his joy is infectious, his heart wide open. He now faces the biggest challenge of his life. And yet, even in the midst of it all, he still manages to smile, to love, to put others before himself.”

And now? There’s hope. There’s healing. There’s the promise of a future.

“I’ll never ever be able to thank Marc enough,” Gaylyn said. “But what I can promise him is that for the rest of my life, I will be kind. I will help other people feel special and loved and I will continuously let them know that they are enough… and I will pay it forward. Forever.”

That’s the legacy of this story, not just a successful surgery, but a ripple of kindness that will keep spreading.

Marc ended his note with one final wish: “Be kind. And help other people to feel special, and to feel loved, and to know that they are enough. That they have always been enough… and help them to feel so overwhelmed with love and kindness, like I feel now, that they just need to pay it forward.”

What a world we get to live in where people like Marc exist. Where love wins. Where kindness keeps showing up. And where, thanks to a kidney and an unbreakable friendship, the good things just keep on coming.

Sources: Marc Ancillotti | Kearsney College | Backabuddy 

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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 Teacher Donates Kidney to Former Student, Gives Him a Second Chance at Life appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A bold sign stuck on a Joburg car has everyone talking. It screams cheating scandal but the truth behind it is unexpectedly moving… and might just restore your faith in humanity.

Johannesburg, South Africa (26 March 2025) – A car with a scandalous sign is turning heads across Joburg but what looks like a dramatic cheating exposé is actually a bold, brilliant plea to help a father fight for his life.

“Grant, you are trying to CHEAT on me!!!”

That’s the all-caps message stuck to the back of a car making its way through the streets of Johannesburg, complete with a QR code that promises more drama.

Naturally, it caught people’s attention. In fact, Good Things Guy was alerted to the sign when it was posted in the popular I Love Fourways Facebook group — where curious locals were quick to speculate, comment, and eventually… scan.

And that’s when everything changes.

The QR code doesn’t lead to a scandal. It leads to hope. It takes you to a BackaBuddy campaign with a heartfelt message:

“Help Me Cheat Death and Keep Living Life to the Fullest.”

The Grant in question is Grant Forbes. A father, sportsman and someone who has lived his entire life refusing to let Type 1 diabetes hold him back. From bodybuilding and cycling to being a hands-on dad to his son Aarin, Grant has always embraced life with purpose.

But right now, he’s facing his biggest challenge yet: his kidneys are failing, and he needs a transplant to survive.

“This transplant isn’t just about survival,” Grant writes. “It’s about giving me the chance to keep being the dad who plays rugby with his kid, the athlete who pushes boundaries, and the person who refuses to let adversity win.”

The campaign aims to raise R350,000 to cover the transplant and associated medical expenses. So far, just over R35,000 has been raised and this brilliantly creative sign-on-wheels is helping bring much-needed attention to the cause.

What looked like drama is actually an act of support. It’s smart, cheeky, and speaks volumes about how South Africans show up for each other, especially when it matters most.

“This help will not only see me regain my health,” Grant says, “but will also allow me to continue being the active, present father my son deserves and the person who strives to make a positive impact in the world.”

So, if you spot that car around Fourways or elsewhere in Joburg, give it a smile, scan the code and share the story. Or donate to his crowdfunding campaign. Behind the headline is a real person, fighting for his life and doing it with bravery, creativity and the backing of a community that clearly cares.

Let’s help him cheat death. And keep living.

Sources: Grant Forbes Backabuddy | I Love Fourways 

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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 “Grant, You’re Cheating?!” – The Shocking Sign on a Joburg Car That’s Not What You Think appeared first on Good Things Guy.

If ‘mind over matter’ was a person, it’s Martine Levy. Just in time for her 50th birthday, Martine completed 50 triathlons – Multiple Sclerosis be damned. Martine has opened up to Good Things Guy to share her incredible story (she kept her diagnosis somewhat secret for years), and if you needed a little inspiration to remind you that some mountains exist to show others they can be moved, this is it.

Cape Town, South Africa (23 March 2025) — Martine Levy kept her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis under the rug for years. Many people didn’t know about it when she entered into a triathlon the very next day following the doctor’s appointment she’ll never forget. Nor did they know when she tackled the Iron Man Half Marathon (and many other triathlons in between).

When Martine challenged herself to completing 50 triathlons before her 50th birthday, only her loved ones knew she’d be tackling it with MS. And Martine is the first to credit their support as the reason she managed to achieve this remarkable feat.

Now, Martine is sharing her story publicly for the first time. And if you needed a little inspiration to remind you that some mountains exist to show others they can be moved, this is it:

An MS Journey as Told by Martine Levy

The 40th That Changed Everything

10 years ago, on my 40th birthday (literally the day before I turned 40), I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

I had been really sporty for the past years, previously having earned my SA colours in Muay Thai and having done a few triathlons, some half marathons, and a couple of half Ironmans, but in training for the last 70.3 Ironman, things had become “challenging”. But no matter how hard I trained, I was getting slower. When I overheated, I was losing concentration, feeling disorientated, having to cut training short, and feeling completely over-fatigued. All the while, I thought it was due to overtraining.

My 2014 Half Ironman attempt was disheartening. After pushing as hard as I could and giving it everything I had, I missed the cutoff. Again. I thought I would have to train harder.

Something was off. I knew it was. My speech was a bit odd, I had a bit of a slur at times, my handwriting became very untidy, my face was feeling numb, my tongue was numb, my arm felt lame.

“I must have a pinched nerve”, I thought.

It was my brother—one of my biggest cheerleaders—that noticed there was something amiss and after a fair amount of persuasion (I did try and ignore it) I went off to the neurologist.

The MRI was clear as day—Multiple Sclerosis.

‘Huh? No. Not me’.

I didn’t quite believe it. I asked every imaginable question. What were the possible outcomes? Would I lose my mind? What was in my future? Mobility issues, spasms, pain, weakness, fatigue, tremors, balance issues, a wheelchair? I consulted Google (Don’t do this), but the outlook seemed bleak. Or was it?

I was entered into a triathlon for the very next day. I went from the doctor to tell my mom, and then I collected my race pack. I raced the next day, and that night, I celebrated my 40^th birthday with my friends, wearing something that covered my shaky hand.

Keep Moving

I got it into my head that if I kept moving, I would keep moving. I convinced myself that I could train my brain to find new neural pathways to combat my balance issues, my mobility issues, my fatigue.

The next few years were ups and downs of changing medications, daily injections, MRI scans, days in hospital with intravenous treatments, making life choices in my doctor’s office every time the MRI showed another lesion, and another, and another, as the years rolled on.

‘I don’t really have MS’, I kept thinking. ‘It is all an elaborate ploy. It’s not real. I am fine’.

I wound carry on racing and doing bigger and more challenging races. I thought that I was proving to everyone who knew of my illness that I was OK, I am fine, it’s all ok. But, in reality, I was convincing myself. I can do this. I can do it all.

No One Does It Alone

I didn’t do it alone. My tribe of friends that I trusted to know my secret (that I was not bulletproof, and I was scared) all stepped up. They were all in, all the way. Not just behind me cheering, but by my side as I trained, as I raced, as I triumphed, as I failed.

When I needed to cycle, there was Natalie on the bike next to me, peddling at my slow pace when she could have easily gone faster, staying with me when I had to stop because my legs went numb or I had a bad day and landed up getting sick mid-cycle.

There was no pity. Just, “You ok? Lets go!”

Every open water swim training session (swimming around me like a Border Collie) Natalie made sure I was safe.

Jody was too fast for me, having done multiple Ironmans, Cape Epic and various other events.

Each time I mentioned I was keen on a triathlon, so was he. Every triathlon I entered, Jody entered, running his own race but keeping an eye on me as he went past, coming back to find me after he finished, making sure I was ok. Helping me pack up my gear afterwards when I was somewhat broken.

He remained by my side when an MS hug got me during a triathlon, and I was struggling to make it back to safety, sacrificing my own race to ensure I made it safely back to the race village.

I came last in races—STONE LAST–more than once, more than 10 times. I have come last in quite a few of my triathlons–even though I have been at it for around 14 years.

I cried during races…often, it hurt, a lot. There is a fair amount of pain that accompanies Multiple Sclerosis, for me—especially when I am hot and tired. Races were painful, but there was my friend Jody, along the way and at the finish. My race buddy. Always.

What Would Mart Do?

My very favourite thing is to convince my friends to come along and do some of my mad pursuits with me—it became a joke of “What would Mart do?”.

I convinced friends to run 10km runs with me, to do a marathon with me in Paris, to enter triathlons, to swim Robben Island, I mean, who wants to be out there alone?

We made ‘WWMD T shirts’ (what would Mart do). They might have thought I was convincing them, but they were inspiring me. If they could do it – so could I.

50 Triathlons Before 50

After completing 35 triathlons, I got an idea stuck in my head. In my head, I would be 50 soon, I could do 50 Triathlons by then. What person with MS can possibly do such a thing? I could – I knew I could, and it would become a driving force for me. The thought of losing my mobility one day and the possibility of a wheelchair, which I had unfortunately latched onto, would be beaten.

I would prove to myself once and for all that I could win my very personal race. There is no cure for MS at present, but there are treatments and there is hope and I had hope. And I had a wonderful support group.

Covid hit and we lost over a year of racing. I had just 13 months to complete 10 triathlons. Jody was up for it. We trawled the race calendars, finding any triathlon (big or small) we entered them all.

I decided to go for broke for the last one—the half-Ironman distance. ‘Finish on a high note’, I thought.

I had attempted Half Ironman 5 times and not finished in cutoff. I was always too slow. But only just. I would be putting all my eggs in one basket, so to speak… but, no guts, no glory. Go big.

Training with MS is a little different. The challenges of fatigue, speed, strength and balance are not in your favour. Getting faster or stronger is not really realistic for me.

There were days when my head played games with me – What was I doing? Had I bitten off more than I could chew? Days of feeling exhausted and looking at a training day thinking, ‘I just can’t’, but somehow did—even if it wasn’t the whole session, I would do what I could.

The Final Countdown

49 triathlons down, 3 x Marathons, 2 x Robben Island swims – and it was not enough for me. The Half-Ironman would make it real—I would finally prove to myself that I had won. I was in remission. Doc gave me the go-ahead. GAME ON. BRING ME THAT FINISH LINE.

Jody stood beside me on the start line.  “It’s just another race,” he said – Yeah.. right.. what the hell was I thinking?

The conditions were less than favourable; it was a brutal day out with “gale force winds” (maybe not gale force – but brutal). I made it through the swim, 1.9km, in my target time; I got onto the bike and started strong. The wind was picking up, but it was behind me.

I hit the 35km mark. I was making good time, the climbs and wind were ahead, and then, the first big climb. I stood up to push and BAM! Something went in my back and my left leg went numb.

It was a bulging disk. All my power disappeared. The cycle that should have taken me 4hrs took 5hrs 26min±I was not going to make it in the cutoff. My leg was done. I was broken. I sobbed on the bike for the last 10km, in pain, my head swirling with so many mad thoughts.

There was no way I could run. I sat in transition, with the stark realisation that the dream was shattered. I couldn’t stop the tears.

But I could walk.

Just start… I had to try, just 21km to the finish line.  At around the 7km Mark – there was Jody & Kelly, herself a regular on the podium at Ironman races, and my IronMan mentor, walking beside me, supporting me and keeping me going. I crossed the finish line at 10H42, possibly a record for the longest-ever half-ironman. Completing my 50^th Triathlon – 6 days before I turned 50.

In the End, the Race is Only With Yourself

For years, I have kept my diagnosis somewhat secret, trusting those closest to me. Why? I was afraid of being judged somehow, I didn’t want pity, I felt this was my battle to fight and to conquer alone. That people would doubt my abilities if they knew. People can be cruel, and the words “debilitating and degenerative” scare people they don’t understand.

I was fearful of being different. But I am one of the very lucky ones. I have had amazing support from my family and wonderful friends. I have an amazing doctor who has guided and supported me.

So, that is my story. I have chosen to let people in on my secret here because I realise that I am winning my battle. I needed to prove to myself that it’s all still possible.

I would like to encourage those out there battling MS to keep moving, even if the steps are small. My challenge was 50 triathlons by 50, some MS warriors battles are 50 steps in a day.

The Ironman slogan is “anything is possible”. But as Baz Lurman says: “The race is long and in the end, it is only with yourself”.

I hope to be on the start line of another 70.3 Ironman again soon, and I hope to be able to convince a few more people to come along with me for the ride.

Sources: Email Submission—Martine Levy

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 What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What! appeared first on Good Things Guy.