A Grade 9 Kingswood College pupil snapped a photo in Port Alfred that’s left South Africans in awe. The heartwarming part? People loved it so much they are encouraging her to enter it into competitions!

Port Alfred, South Africa (06 March 2024) — A Grade 9 Kingswood College pupil has left South Africans in awe after she captured Mother Nature at her finest in the Eastern Cape’s Port Alfred.

Shared by her school, Siré Schoncken’s photo captures a bolt of lightning, rolling waves and a looming grey cloud on a deserted part of the beach.

Beyond the breathtaking photo, there’s heart to this story in just how encouraging South Africans were in their responses to the budding photographer’s moment in the lightning light. On social media, comments ranged from backing Siré to enter her work into a competition all the way to nods of agreement that this student has a future in photography.

Siré’s mom Desica shared that her daughter is “beyond excited about the reaction of her photo.”

Captured on a Samsung phone camera, locals can’t wait to see what this budding photographer might be capable of with professional gear.

In any creative field (especially for young creatives), encouragement can be the difference between giving your talents a go or pushing them to the side. And seeing how many strangers were so kind to a young talent made our hearts very warm today.

Sources: Kingswood College

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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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Maybe the internet needed to be reminded that life isn’t always so serious, or maybe the energy of these students was just infectiously joyful. Whatever the main reason, a singing prank in a Stellenbosch lecture hall has gone beyond viral with almost 30 million views!

Stellenbosch, South Africa (01 March 2024)—Being a university student means living in the weird space between serious adulthood and laidback youth. Some days, it feels like your whole life is dependent on one assignment. Other days, you might be at the height of feeling young and invincible. But fun should lie in the mix of it all, as should stepping outside of your comfort zone, which is exactly what students at Stellenbosch University got up to thanks to a singing prank that skyrocketed past virality at 28.4 million views and 3.9 million likes.

Maybe the internet needed to be reminded that life isn’t always so serious, or maybe the energy of these students was just so unanimously and infectiously joyful. Whatever the exact reason, a clip of students giving their lecture a High School Musical twist has captured social media users after this rendition of ‘We Are Young’ made people smile.

Watch: Singing Prank in Stellies Unites Students

@timmorrel Ending was worth it #university #lectures #college #CapCut ♬ original sound – Tim

Shared by TikTok creator Tim Morrel, the clip captured bravery, fun and unity through doing something you have to have a lot of guts to do. Students’ mental health at tertiary levels is known to be a cause for concern; with anxiety and depression sadly impacting so many young people’s journeys through higher education. What was awesome about the clip was not just the singing and joy, but that the whole cohort of students joined in; which means even the anxious, those who feel alone, and those who never considered that they could make others smile simply through a little silliness.

Yes lecture halls are a place of learning, but they should also be a place where students can unite and even learn a few lessons outside of the curriculum—like this lesson in being bold!

Sources:  TikTok

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Youth and education-focused organisation Afrika Tikkun recently received very special gifts—new sports courts at its Diepsloot and Mfuleni centres!

South Africa (01 March 2024) — The month of February saw the exciting unveiling for Afrika Tikkun as newly inaugurated ‘sports courts’ were unveiled at the youth-focused organisation’s Diepsloot and Mfuleni centres in both Johannesburg and the Western Cape!

The Cruyff Courts unveiling events, which took place earlier this month, marked a significant milestone in community development; standing as a testament to the power of collaboration between organisations who believe in empowerment through laying the groundwork for empowerment and development.

Says Niels Meijer, CEO of the non-profit organisation Cruyff Court Foundation, provided a global perspective on the impact of Cruyff Courts worldwide, highlighting Cruyff Foundation founder Johan Cruyff’s passionate advocacy for sport.

Meijer expressed pride in carrying Johan’s legacy forward through various initiatives across Africa, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to fostering play, inclusion and community development.

Through the Cruyff Courts, the Foundation highlighted how communities worldwide can inspire and support each other, especially when children have a safe space to play, grow, and even discover talents just waiting to be unleashed.

Afrika Tikkun Group CEO Onyi Nwaneri underlined the pivotal role of the Cruyff Courts as a catalyst for positive change within the communities of Diepsloot and Mfuleni. Highlighting the importance of sports and recreation in holistic development, she underscored how these activities provide avenues for growth, leadership and a brighter future.

“Together, we have created a space that not only celebrates sports but also empowers individuals and builds stronger, more connected communities”,—Onyi Nwaneri.

Sources: Supplied; Afrika Tikkun 

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Grade Rs and the Rainbows and Smiles team made the oncology ward a happy place thanks to sweet surprises, personalised wishes and homemade meals!

Johannesburg, South Africa (28 February 2024) — In a dose of wholesome news for children in a Johannesburg oncology ward, several surprises made their way to the kids thanks to Grade Rs from Constantia Kloof Primary School.

Personalised sweet gifts stopped by on Monday, 26 February accompanied with loving notes and special wishes for the children in heart shapes for the brave hearts. Not only did the thoughtfulness of the sweets bring the children some much-needed cheer (and belated Valentine’s Day love), but the Rainbows and Smiles team also got to give the kids a taste of home by preparing their meals and a little break from the hospital food.

The team got special permission to prepare meals, which might sound like a simple pleasure, but can mean the most to those who do not have a caregiver.

Rainbows and Smiles, a charitable organisation focused on supporting childhood cancer fighters and their families, recently celebrated its 13th birthday—a teenage milestone of all their years pouring hope and a sense of community into a battle that can often feel so isolated.

Of the recent surprises, Rainbows and Smiles shared,”It’s moments like these that remind us of the simply joys that can bring light into challenging times. Thank you for your beautiful hearts Grade R’s.”

Meanwhile in other news where community kindness is making a difference for young people fighting cancer, Durban has rallied for Hayley Carmen Johnson and her family to help her fund her battle against Ewing Sarcoma.

Hayley is just 15 years old and fighting the fight of a lifetime. But, with an army of determined people who want to see her beat this battle, hopes are high that Hayley will leave Ewing Sarcoma in the dust!

Sources: Rainbows and Smiles 

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Actors are getting school children to think about what leadership entails

Hillbrow, South Africa (28 February 2024) — Ahead of the national elections, a young, Hillbrow-based theatre company is using performance skills to encourage teenagers to participate in South Africa’s democracy.

Commissioned by the Windybrow Arts Centre in association with the National Children’s Theatre, the interactive play Vote for Me aims to get high school learners thinking about their role and their influence in the democratic process, including their influence on their family.

The production, by Windybrow Arts Centre’s resident Kwasha! Theatre Company, gets the audience involved in questioning what it means to be a leader, and asking how we can get the leaders we want.

Written by Ameera Patel and directed by Lesedi Job, the play also explores issues of trust between the generations.

On 20 February an audience of grade six and seven learners – a younger audience than intended – was reserved at first but became increasingly eager to participate in the games the five Kwasha! performers presented.

Performer Xhamla Zaza Samsam said contributing to educating young people about democracy and voting was rewarding. “For us as actors it was a mental switch to say ‘how can we package the depth of what is happening in the country for people who care but don’t really understand the depth of it?,” said Samsam.

He said the play was about learning what leadership is, not who to vote for.

Director Lesedi Job said she had listened to many conversations about South Africa and the overarching theme was a lack of leadership. But Vote for Me was not about past or present leadership, she said, but about asking: “What now, and where to from here?”

Job said the production departed from conventional theatre forms in its interactivity and inclusion of the actors’ personal stories.

National Children’s Theatre CEO Tamara Guhrs said one of the most important points of the play is the influence teenagers have in their own right.

Guhrs said the Windybrow Arts Centre and the National Children’s Theatre had shared values. “We both work with young people and teenagers, and we both have a deep commitment to the city and what the creative arts can do to regenerate the city and create safe spaces for children.”

Vote for Me is showing at National Children’s Theatre in Parktown till 15 March. Tickets are available on Quicket from R100.

Sources: GroundUp

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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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Swellendam’s Cyber Tigers have been super hard at work in attempts to raise funds for their chance to represent South Africa’s robotics skills on the global stage. And they have exciting news to share with South Africa!

Swellendam, South Africa (27 February 2024) — South Africa’s Cyber Tigers— the robotics team who won the recent First Lego League’s national robotics competition in Johannesburg—have more exciting news to share with the country.

After their big win where they beat out 46 competitor teams, the Cyber Tigers began focusing on a new kind of puzzle that needed solving: raising the funds to grab their golden ticket to the World Festival in Houston, Texas.

The chance of a lifetime for the high school students Jean Mouton, Luka Steenekamp, Lara Pretorious and Christelle Glatz, who call the rural of Swellendam home; this robotics team were ready to put in the work to make their dream come true.

They have sang, shared their robotics stories, sold burgers, worked with sponsors, sold merch and are holding a raffle. The result? They are 70% of the way to their fundraising goal!

Why does getting a local team to an international competition matter, you ask?

Well, beyond it being another opportunity for South Africa to succeed with the world as our audience, the Cyber Tigers journey could mean much more than a win.

South Africa’s presence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) still lags behind many other countries because of limited educational opportunities. While many schools are working hard to integrate courses related to coding and robotics—an ever-growing sector of the present and future—we need as much representation as possible in this field to inspire more young people to get into STEM, especially young women.

There are ample ways to support the Cyber Tigers through their last push. You can enter the raffle, make a donation or get in touch with the adults helping the students achieve their dreams on lovetouchgrow@gmail.com.

Sources: Website 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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Teens from high schools in Atlantis, where opportunities are limited, got to experience a super practical initiative where they were taught and experienced running their own businesses! In South Africa where the job market is straggling on, knowing how to run a business is one of the most important lessons our youth can be taught:

Atlantis, South Africa (21 February 2024) — Learners from high schools in Atlantis got to be part of the Loshkin Economiz initiative—a chance to dip their toes in the world of entrepreneurship!

Developed by the non-profit enterprise Taking Care of Business and iKamva Youth as well as volunteers who have experience in the finance industry, the programme ran over 8 months, and the business bug certainly bit the young cohort.

For young people in Atlantis, where unemployment is major and crime is prevalent, providing young people with practical skills to break out of tough life cycles before they get into them is all important. As such, the initiative played a very big role in teaching the learners all the basics they needed to know about starting their own businesses as well as other skills essential for any active member of the economy: ethics, self-identity, presentation skills and money management.

Taking Care of Businesses that have helped shape many lives for the better, donated clothing, jewellery and accessories from their Resell Programme for the groups of learners to sell. The money they raised soon became seed money to help them start their own businesses!

TCB’s Nicky Edwards shared that she was delighted with the transformation she saw in the learners. “During this programme, I saw these learners blossom. They went from timid or disinterested to engaged, confident and open to learning.”

The groups of learners were in the running for a big prize based on their entrepreneurial achievements. Team ‘The Money Chasers’ made an impressive profit of R1655 selling popcorn, scrunchies, water bottles, mugs and biltong, while ‘The Multi-taskers’ Team earned a profit of R2915 selling muffins, biscuits, popcorn and lemon squares.

They got to go to the Ferris Wheel at the Waterfront, enjoyed a shopping spree at Taking Care of Business and ventured from Sea Point to Hout Bay, topped with a prized fish and chips lunch.

“The learners were very grateful for the outing and for exposing them to things they were not used to or would not have had the opportunity to enjoy,” shared Nicky. 

Hopes are high that the teams will continue to flex their business savvy muscles, as many of the teams from previous runs have. According to Celeste Erasmus (one of the programme trainers) who commented on how many learners part of the 2022 cohort are still running their businesses, it comes down to the valuable skills shared.

“Learners are realising that they don’t have to wait around for a job to come along or rely on handouts. When you are self-employed you can care for yourself. The power is in their hands to run a successful business and to provide for themselves.”

Sources: Supplied 

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

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Amanzimtoti Primary School is celebrating a big win when it comes to sustainable futures after being selected for an Eco-Schools prize!

Amanzimtoti, South Africa (12 February 2024) — Schools around the country have given Amanzimtoti Primary School a big (green) thumbs up after the school was announced as an Eco-Schools prize winner! This is a big win not only as far as eco-conscious accolades go, but also as one that recognises hopeful and sustainable futures in South Africa.

Thanks to the efforts of learners, teachers and the eco-committee who made the EnviroClub (Grade 4-7) a force of growth, the learners will soon sit back and reap the fruits of their care in 2023 when they receive their award from WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) later this year.

According to WESSA, in 2023 the Amanzimtoti learners had a super successful set of eco-experiences, from taking care of gardens to harvesting fruit in their fruit forest.

“They harvested 50 mielies, some wonderfully ‘wonky’ carrots, a bag of bans and a crop of ripening chillies,” WESSA shared. Beyond this, the eco-committee helped involve the whole school in sustainability projects. 

“Each school in the Eco-Schools programme has action plans to address sustainability issues within their school or community, and Amanzimtoti Primary’s food garden project has been thriving for years. They integrated the vegetable garden into their curriculum for oudtoor lessons, promote nutrition and support those in need.”

Being an Eco-School means learning about food gardens, food security, your impact on your environment and the environment’s impact on you! In South Africa, over 4500 schools across the country have been part of the programme where well over a million students are impacted annually. While Eco-Schools are an international effort part of the Foundation for Environmental Education, the ones in South Africa are overseen by WESSA, which implemented this kind of green learning in SA.

Meanwhile, in other exciting news for Eco-Schools, hundreds are set to unite through a special mission: ‘The Bread Tags for Wheelchair Challenge’. Through the challenge, learners across the country will put their collecting skills to the test in a massive effort to help the Sweethearts Foundation fund wheelchairs!

Sources: WESSA

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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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All the must-watch talent in the world, but this teenage piano prodigy doesn’t have his own piano. Limited to playing at rehearsals, Jason Haas is hoping that enough people will believe in him to help him get a second-hand set of keys:

Springs, South Africa (06 February 2024)—Jason Haas, a 15-year-old piano prodigy from Springs in Johannesburg, embodies the transformative power of music. From as early as 4 years old, he became enchanted by the melodies of his grandmother’s old piano, which would spark a passion and unlock a talent for piano that has blown Joburg’s fringe back!

Able to master his first piece, Canon in D major, by ear, his intuition for music couldn’t be ignored.

Without any formal lessons, Jason’s ability to play by ear and a formidable initial teacher (the internet) would help him tackle composition after composition.

Playing Chopin and Liszt like a seasoned pianist became part of his repertoire, fuelled by a natural knack for the keys that even the most formal training cannot emulate.

Jason was eventually in a position to attend the East Rand School of the Arts, where he finally got to enjoy music theory and learnt how to read music under the guidance of his music teacher, Mr. J. Manamela.

However, things changed when the school required a home language change. After an initial setback, the piano prodigy went on to find a new music base with the East Rand Youth Orchestra, where he is now an integral part of the ensemble. Bear in mind, he had only learnt to read music one year before!

But the change didn’t come without a few headaches, the biggest being that Jason could no longer access a piano frequently, on account of rehearsals being only on Saturdays.

Initially unbeknownst to his mother, Jason initiated a crowdfunding campaign intending to acquire a secondhand baby grand piano. As any music enthusiast knows, instruments like pianos, even at second-hand prices, have no spare-change costs.

But for Jason, the chance to tune his talent further is one he can’t afford not to go after. With big dreams to achieve international renown as a pianist playing for the world’s stages, Jason also hopes that he will one day get to further his studies at a distinguished music college in Germany.

“Music is a very beautiful thing, and if you love it, pursue it. You have endless opportunities.”—Jason Haas.

As a single mom, Leanne Haas, couldn’t be more proud of her son’s ambition and talent:

“I am extremely proud of Jason’s accomplishments, and his Go-getter attitude in life. Despite all the challenges we have faced, he always adjusted well, did well in school, and made new friends wherever we went. I admire his resilience.

Growing up without a father hasn’t been easy, but he never let it affect him, and he has grown up to be quite an “Alpha Male” as he calls himself.” – says Leanne 

You can support the piano prodigy and his journey to his own piano here.

Sources: BackaBuddy/Supplied

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NPO the Good Work Foundation is giving students from rural areas a fighting chance for their futures thanks to their commitment to coding and robotics for all:

South Africa (01 February 2024)— “It’s music to our ears that Coding and Robotics is being formally rolled out as a subject in government schools from 2024,” says Kate Groch, CEO of NPO the Good Work Foundation.

Sharing the sentiment that many other education non-profits and educators focused on bridging the digital gap have, Kate adds:

“The South African education system needs to keep pace with these next-generation subjects if we are to be competitive—and confident—participants in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

This dream to give more South Africans from underserved areas a fighting career chance in a digitally-dominant society is what the Good Work Foundation is working so hard to achieve. Through tech-savvy classrooms, the right educators and enough support, they believe it is possible.

But it’s not a dream that one NPO can achieve alone. For Kate, partnerships where the public and private sectors are involved, motivation is present, and teachers have helped make all the difference.

Getting the kids motivated is one very important part of any educational story. Luckily, given the “wonder-filled” nature of learning tech is known for, running the education non-profits in both rural Mpumalanga and the Free State doesn’t lack cool and creative learning experiences. These keep the kids inspired.

“For more than a decade, we have taught what has now become the Coding and Robotics curriculum to pupils at the 29 government schools to which we provide free supplementary lessons. Every day, our staff revel in seeing the eyes of 10—and 11—year—olds from remote villages light up with the thrill of discovery when they learn how to build a robot out of Lego—and then program it to move according to their command,” Kate shares. 

Their teachings have also shown young people who may not feel confident in their Mathematics abilities that there’s an element for everyone in tech, especially in the careers you can leap into.

“Imagine if all video games were made solely by mathematicians? They’d be as boring as anything! You need the artists, performers and storytellers to work alongside the software engineers to bring these ideas to life,” she explains.

Another part of the Good Work Foundation’s mission is the donors who keep the momentum possible. From individuals to game lodges in the Kruger, Kate shares that there’s a lot of support for those who want to see the next generation come out on top.

The last and most important part of the mission is the educators. 

Facing the facts, most teachers in South Africa are overworked and underpaid. And with the rollout of coding and robotics, schools face a fresh new challenge in making sure educators are equipped.

“We—and other non-profits—are here to help. Over a decade of working closely with government players and the private sector, we have realised that close cross-sector relationships result in the best possible education outcomes for marginalised learners.”

Kate shares that at least once a week, learners are transported to the Good Work Foundation’s campuses so that trained facilitators there can help them beyond the classroom.

“As a teacher, I can tell you that the best educational moment is witnessing when a child experiences that “aha” or a “eureka” sensation of getting something right. Such as when, through trial and error, they manage to code a robot and make it move.”

Even if students don’t pursue careers in STEM, they would’ve still gained critical skills and even a lifelong journey of wonder and discovery.

As Kate concludes: 

“Such a love of learning, once ignited, never gets extinguished. It’s up to all of us to light that flame and keep it burning so that learning becomes a lifelong journey of wonder and discovery. These young people will end up using technology to solve the challenges in the rural villages and townships where they come from – so it’s incumbent on us to give them access to digital learning and make them comfortable with it.

But no one can do it alone. Only solid public-private-civil society partnerships will ensure that a young person living in Tshabalala village near Hazyview can, if he or she so desires, hop onto the web and code or collaborate online with others worldwide. We need to link arms across sectors to ensure that happens.”

Sources: Kate Groch; Website Submission

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

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

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