“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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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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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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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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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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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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Running for a reason! SPCA legend Sarah Van Heerden and her daughter Alex are dedicating the Ultimate Human Race to pavement specials.

Kloof, South Africa (29 May 2025) — The Kloof and Highway SPCA’s Sarah Van Heerden is a champion of underdogs. While you might think all shelter pets are underdogs, there are still levels to underdogship. Some dogs get adopted quickly, while others wait for months if not years, simply because they’re pavement specials or senior animals.

But Sarah and her daughter, Alex want to change the narrative around these invisible animals while giving them a boost, and they’re using the Ultimate Human Race as a means to spread their message on behalf of the entire SPCA team.

Sarah is no stranger to pushing her body to extremes for the betterment of animals. Last year, she cycled an incredible 1,600kms over a weekn in the Western Cape to raise funds for forgotten animals and managed to fundraise over R120 000 for the SPCA and its services.

How will she fare at the Comrades? Well, this is her 14th time doing it!

Sarah and Alex will run specifically for the pavement specials in an effort to support sterilisations. Sarah hopes to make 60 sterilisations possible, which will cost around R30,000.

“Every Comrades runner matters, just as every animal in our community matters,” Sarah says.

“I am a below average, untalented jogger, I am just another runner, but if my finish counts for anything, let it be a finish making a different to JUST another brown dog.”

You can support Sarah and Alex via their fundraiser, here. 

Sources: Kloof and Highway SPCA 

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An engaging experience awaited a group of primary school learners as they explored shark behaviour and ocean safety using a variety of interactive tools and games designed for fun and learning by the Shark Spotters team.

Muizenberg, South Africa (28 May 2025) – There’s no better time to learn about nature and its fascinating inner workings than when you’re young and eager.

That is exactly why the Shark Spotters educational team opened the doors to its Information Centre in Muizenberg to the Grade 6 learners from Spine View Primary School for an exciting and educational programme about sharks and ocean safety!

The programme was designed to introduce the youngsters to the fascinating world of shark ecology, with a special focus on shark behaviour.

“Using fun, hands-on tools like shark puppets and real shark specimens, such as jaws, skin, and egg cases, the learners got to see, touch, and explore these incredible creatures up close,” Shark Spotters said.

Learners then dived into a lesson on shark and ocean safety, including a demonstration of how spotting works and the important tools spotters use.

“To test their knowledge, the learners played the Race to Build the Flag game, working together to build all four Shark Spotters flags using puzzle pieces and teamwork.”

In an effort to make sure the young minds were also guided and informed about how to keep safe near the ocean, they also received a featured a practical session by the NSRI on drowning prevention and how to perform CPR.

“This gave the learners important lifesaving knowledge and the confidence to take responsibility for their own safety in and around the water.

“We wrapped up the day with energetic group games like tug of war and grab the cone, bringing big smiles and lots of laughter all around!”

If those bright eyes and wide smiles are anything to go by, it’s safe to say it was certainly an epic day of enviro-learning!

Sources: Shark Spotters

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With unprecedented challenges in the current economic climate, the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital faces a crisis in keeping afloat while meeting the demands of vulnerable wildlife needing urgent medical care.

Johannesburg, South Africa (29 May 2025) – A lot is happening in the world, and it saddens our hearts to learn that the suspension of foreign assistance to South Africa has affected those who need all the support to, in turn, help the voiceless and vulnerable.

The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH) is facing a serious financial crisis as a result of these unforeseen changes in the economy.

“We’ve been forced to dip into our emergency reserves just to keep our doors open.

“Meanwhile, the number of wild animals needing urgent medical care continues to grow,” JWVH said in a post.

JWVH has been a lifeline for countless wildlife animals that have found themselves in situations requiring emergency intervention.

Having celebrated eight years of existence and impact in March of this year, JWVH has done incredible work saving and rehabilitating pangolins, raising Aardwolves, healing porcupettes, mending snakes, and educating us about mole rats and all the other magnificent creatures!

The one-of-a-kind non-profit treats indigenous animals for free, and therefore relies heavily on donations to keep doing the good work they do.

Amid the current wave of uncertainty, the veterinary hospital’s dedicated team is doing all they can, but without support, many wildlife and their well-being will be in jeopardy.

“If you can support us through a donation, a sponsorship, or by connecting us with someone who might be able to help, please reach out.

“Every contribution, even simply sharing this post, makes a difference,” the JWVH team appealed.

To help this organisation continue to rescue, rehabilitate and give wild animals a second chance, donate to their PayFast, PayPal or Snapcan channels or using the banking details below:

Johannesburg Wildlife NPC
FNB Cheque account
Account: 62658400264
Branch Code: 255355
​Swift code: FIRNZAJJ

Sources: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital

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A Linden Librarian’s exciting vision make public libraries greener and more beneficial to communities has earned her international recognition.

Linden, South Africa (28 May 2025) — A Linden Librarian’s super idea to help libraries benefit communities more in the greenest way has caught and held international attention. Ms Tebello Sengora thinks that underused library spaces are gardens waiting to be created, something that could well benefit library patrons as well as encourage new members from the broader community.

Recently, Ms Sengora received an Honourable Mention at the 2025 Next Festival held in Denmark for her idea dubbed ‘The Green Shelf Network’.

An international event, the Next Library Festival takes a look at libraries in the future; inviting visionaries within library spaces across the world to share their thoughts as to how the libraries of tomorrow could and should look for the betterment of learning.

The Linden Librarian’s Green Shelf Network caught the attention of the festival. Per Joburg Libraries, the idea is to transform libraries into “modular gardens that connect communities with nature, literacy and sustainability.” How iconic is that?

Importantly, residents of Johannesburg would be hugely involved in the gardens from design to maintenance and crop-sharing in an effort to hold firm community buy-in and pride.

“This interactive experience not only beautifies library spaces and feeds communities, but also fosters a connection between nature, culture, health and even technology,” Joburg Libraries praised.

Ms Sengora was selected for the Honourable Mention as part of the 2025 Changemaker Award category which was introduced this year. The Changemaker Award honours thinkers whose focus orbits innovation.

She was one of just six out of 23 countries awarded with an honourable mention, including an Ireland representative’s idea to ‘take the library to the streets’.

Sources: Joburg Libraries 

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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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