Artist Rizah Potgieter has been hard at work creating Mitchell’s Plain’s Longest Mural—an ode to community pride and marine life awareness.

Mitchell’s Plain, South Africa (06 March 2024) — Artists, volunteers and community members have all played their part in helping make Mitchell’s Plain’s longest mural possible.

A legacy in blue, the ‘longest mural’ (also known as the Poseidon Mural) seeks to bring a sense of beauty, calmness and awareness to Mitchell’s Plain. In an big way, its breathtaking size makes the topic of climate change and its impact on our oceans hard to ignore with sea characters on vibrant display. In even bigger ways, it stands to show people the beauty that their area can call home; cultivating a sense of community pride and responsibility.

Led by mural wizard Rizah Potgieter who was also behind another iconic mural last year (“Standing Tall”, a 22-metre high mural in Khayelitsha that captured netball player Phumza Maweni), the Posideon project was a collaborative effort that saw many people unite for its creation.

 

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PAINT, an artivist organisation on a mission to transform neighbourhoods and non-profit ArtBridge teamed up to ensure that Mitchell’s Plain’s Longest Mural would become something for Cape Town to be proud of. For the team, this wasn’t singularly about marine life awareness or art’s positive impact on communities, but both in unison.

Says Mikal Ernest Bell, Founder of PAINT, “The initial objective was bringing the two communities together, this will therefore be the culmination. The artwork on either side of the wall has greatly contributed in bringing about peace in these two communities that has been ravaged by crime and gang violence.”

The more we make the hard topics accessible and the more we let art bring people together, the better chance we have for a South Africa that understands that no matter where you come from or what challenges you’ve faced, you can still make an impact on our future.

Sources: Various (Linked Above) 

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The Penguin-Pals Project is going to help so many penguins get the help they need thanks to Betty’s Bay residents who have volunteered to transport penguins to rescue facilities! Not only will they be playing a helpful role as penguin ‘Uber drivers’, but they’ll also be saving rescue staff a lot of time.

Betty’s Bay, South Africa (06 March 2024) — The Southern African Foundation For The Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) is getting a helping hand from the Betty’s Bay community thanks to residents who have volunteered their time to be part of the Penguin-Pals Project!

SANCCOB is responsible for rescuing and rehabilitating many of South Africa’s seabirds. But, there are only so many staff members. Journeys to assist penguins in need often mean many hours on the road, which in turn leaves staff members unable to help other seabirds while trekking these distances.

As Tim Elliot of the Betty’s Bay Conservancy (BBC) shares:

“Up until now SANCCOB have had no option but to send one of their own staff from Betty’s Bay all the way in to Tableview, in Cape Town, in the event of an injured or sick penguin or other seabird. Everyone at the Stony Point Nature Reserve has enough on their plate without sitting in a vehicle for the three hour plus round trip.” 

This is where the Betty’s Bay community have decided to help lighten the load of responsibility. As part of BBC’s Penguin-Pals Project, residents have offered to share their time and transport any struggling seabirds to Somerset West—a big chunk of the distance that will undoubtedly help staff members save on time and transport expenses.

Training was underway in late February for the Penguin-Pals’ volunteers.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement at the prospect of being involved and being able to help constructively,” adds Tim. 

This initiative displays not only how a little help can go a long way (quite literally), but also sets the path for future Penguin-Pals Projects outside of Betty’s Bay! Word at the colony is, SANCCOB may also need some volunteers in Gordons Bay too, so don’t be afraid to spread the word!

Sources: Betty’s Bay Conservancy

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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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Southern Elephant Seal Buffel has returned to the Cape yet again for his annual haul! A rare sighting in our part of the world and from a rare species, here’s what makes Buffel’s visits extra special:

Hermanus, South Africa (07 February 2024) — Whenever Buffel (a Southern Elephant seal who has become something of a ‘sealebrity’) comes to town, marine life lovers get very excited.

Why? Well, Buffel is not your average visitor. For one, Southern Elephant seals are a rare sighting in our part of the world and are usually found in the Southern Ocean thousands of kilometres away. As a whole, Buffel’s species are rare and qualify for listing by IUCN’s list of threatened specials. Beyond being a member of a unique family of species that are found very far away, Buffel also has a special relationship with South Africa that keeps bringing him back to local beaches time and time again.

In 2016, the young Elephant Seal was discovered resting on Duiker Island alongside Cape Fur seals, which was an incredible (and first-time) sight for people like Steve Benjamin who had been running seal snorkelling trips in the area for years. This visit was for Buffel’s annual haul— the species’ version of moulting.

“Most haul-out sites are on Sub Antarctic and Antarctic islands which makes sightings of Buffel even more exciting,” share the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

In 2021, the Elephant Seal was discovered on Llandudno beach in Cape Town, where he was caught chilling unashamedly (like any other local) on the soft sand. At the time, some people thought Buffel might be in trouble. But in reality, he had just made the trek for his annual beach haul again.

Thanks to Buffel being tagged by scientists, we know that the avid explorer has been to many Cape beaches for his hauls, including Buffelsbay Beach, Fishoek Beach and one of his favourites—Duiker Island.

What keeps bringing Buffel back? Buffel was actually born on Cape Point shores to a mom who is believed to have been lost. Buffel’s visits every February might just be the sealebrity’s way of connecting with home, and this year Hermanus has made his itinerary!

These hauls take a month and are quite an ordeal as the animals cannot hunt during this time, leading them to look sickly. But if anyone in Hermanus should encounter Buffel, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA notes the following:

“Please keep your distance, keep dogs on leashes in the area and do your best not to disturb him. If you are concerned for his welfare, contact the relevant local authorities.” Additionally, chasing him back into the water or pouring water over him is not necessary. 

Sources: Cape of Good Hope SPCA; Steve Benjamin 

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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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The first penguin rescue of the year that headed to SANCCOB saw a moulting juvenile in the wrong place at the right time. Thanks to a marine wildlife hero, this rescue has meant the penguin is in a safe space and its adult plumage is looking dapper!

Cape Town, South Africa (31 January 2024) — The first penguin rescue of the year for SANCCOB tells the story of a young penguin, the journey to a decent place to moult, and a little info about this stage of a penguin’s life! 

Earlier this month, a juvenile African penguin likely looking for a safe place to moult, found itself outside the Radisson Blue in Cape Town. For those who haven’t been to the Aquarium in a minute, moulting refers to the ‘out with the old, in with the new’ feathers stage of a penguin’s year. For juveniles, this moulting plumage is considered the last stop before becoming a fully-fledged penguin. Importantly, during moulting time, penguins can’t swim. 

So, when this juvenile penguin was spotted in the water outside a hotel likely on the search for land, Martine Viljoen, the Marine Wildlife Management Programme Assistant at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, understood the assignment. 

Martine was eventually able to facilitate the rescue with a net on a slipway at The Water Club. She tells Good Things Guy that the Juvenile Arrested moulter weighed in at 3.66kg and was mildly dehydrated with small cuts on the feet and an injured top eyelid. 

Martine and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation knew that the penguin needed a safe space to complete the moult, so naturally SANCCOB (The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) would soon be getting a visit. 

When they arrived, the freshly rescued penguin got the number AP001—making it the first penguin rescue of 2024 at SANCCOB.

Updating Good Things Guy, Martine shared that AP001 has now completed its moult.

“[AP001] is looking beautiful in their new adult plumage with its first black and white colouration. AP001 is currently a 1 hour swimmer in SANCCOB Rehab pens, meaning their waterproofing is looking good enough to hopefully be signed off for release soon.”

Sources: Martine Viljoen 

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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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A revolutionary invention straight out of Stellenbosch has travelled to the Bahamas with shark safety in mind. Where shark nets have killed thousands of sharks along with other marine life, the scientifically created ‘kelp forests’ keep these animals safe!

Global (03 November 2023) — Since the 1950s, shark nets have played a dark role in claiming marine lives across the world, from dolphins to sea turtles and of course shark species—a far cry from what shark safety should mean. This has resulted (amongst other worrying factors) in the severe decline of white shark numbers in waters close to home, as discovered by marine biologist Dr Sara Andreotti.

However, in an effort to keep both marine animals and humans safe, marine biologists at Stellenbosch University, led by Dr Andreotti, have done something ground-breaking, thanks to their innovative ‘kelp forest’ biomimicry work designed to protect lives without harmful repercussions.

According to the university, the SharkSafe Barrier^TM tech is the only eco-friendly alternative to shark nets.

For Dr Andreotti who is a Stellenbosch University lecturer, researcher and diver, creating kelp forest-inspired barriers are the solution thanks to their safety-focused position as  ‘reef-like havens for local sea life’.

The barriers work by marrying kelp forest elements with magnetic fields, the latter being a force most shark species are sensitive to, due to the electromagnetic receptors on their heads. The kelp forest design, on the other hand, is inspired by natural sea life behaviour; where real kelp forests are something of a hiding place for most sea creatures seeking refuge from predators, according to the researchers.

In simple terms, shark safety is safer now as the sharks are repelled by the magnetic fields instead of trapped, while other marine lives can go about their days as usual and sea-curious humans can explore without harmful impact either.

This concept was developed over 10 years ago, and since then it has been tried and tested throughout South African waters.

Now, it’s making even more waves of change in waters far beyond! The barrier’s use in the Bahamas for one (its first commercial use ever) has been praised after a 30-metre-long barrier along an island bay was installed to strengthen marine conservation efforts.

But, the opportunities to re-manage shark safety are bigger than any one island and will always have a dose of South African brilliance tied to every mission accomplished.

Sources: Stellenbosch University

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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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Saturday saw back-to-back rescues for the NSRI Gqeberha, where a successful beached bottlenose dolphin rescue kickstarted the day before it ended on another heroic high with a young man saved from drowning!

Gqeberha, South Africa (16 October 2023) — It was a busy Saturday for the NSRI Gqeberha with back-to-back rescues spanning different species and predicaments. The first saw a dolphin rescue underway after the male bottlenose was found beached, while the second saw a young man believed to have been caught in a rip current’s wrath.

The bottlenose dolphin had been discovered in a shallow surf by members of the public in Sardinia Bay; alive and healthy, but not where any dolphin should spend their Saturday.

Shortly after his discovery, the NSRI was activated to assist the dolphin rescue alongside Bayworld staff and marine scientists for the big un-beaching. Rallying their rescue craft, NSRI rescue members were soon hot on the dolphin’s tail and help was on the way.

Upon their arrival, the bottlenose was fortunately found to be in good health. Soon, he was secured into a special marine animal stretcher before being loaded into another vehicle to be transported to a rescue station, whilst in the care of marine professionals and rescuers.

It was discovered that this dolphin may have had a scuffle with a shark which caused a few minor and superficial injuries. But, after a few more assessments he got the green light to set out into the big blue as the teams transported him 5 nautical miles offshore before release into Algoa Bay.

Seas were rough and the rescue was deemed complex, but the strong dolphin was able to swim away after being released, surfacing only once for a breath.

A Bayworld marine scientist indicates with (cautious optimism) that the dolphin will survive.

But, the NSRI Gqeberha’s work for the day wasn’t quite finished yet.

Upon returning to the NSRI Gqueberha rescue station later on, the teams were alerted to a drowning in progress.

Here, members of the public played a big role in helping the NSRI’s rescue craft toward the 23-year-old local man who found himself in the breaking surf line.

The NSRI rescue craft raced to the rescue, negotiating breaking waves to reach him. After being assessed by paramedics he was deemed good to go back to Hobie Beach, with the NSRI believing that strong rip currents had prevented him from getting back to shore initially.

Sources: Supplied

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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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Boulders Beach has made South Africa proud! Arguably our most adorable beach, Boulders earned a spot on the World’s 50 Best Beaches List recently; representing SA. Here are 5 reasons the penguin beach is a must-visit!

Simon’s Town, South Africa (24 May, 2023)—South Africa’s most adorable beach and penguin hub, Boulders Beach, has made a global splash and earned a spot on the World’s 50 Best Beaches List.

Competition was stiff this year, as multiple beaches around the world battled to make a splash—from the sugar sands of Mauritius to the pink-brushed coast of the Bahamas.

However, the tuxedo beach known for its population of African Penguins triumphed above others, claiming 40th place on the list. Not to mention, Boulders was the only South African beach to claim the crowning this year.

As the World’s 50 Best Beaches shares, the list is the “most accurate and well-researched list of beaches ever compiled”, compiled by votes from over 750 travel influencers, experts and journalists who named and famed the bucket list adds.

So, what’s so special about Boulders Beach?

1. You’ll see the only penguin species native to African coasts!

The African Penguin is small but mighty, and proudly African.

2. Boulders is known for being clean and safe for both visitors and the penguin residents.

Boulders Beach is protected by SANParks, and entry fees go toward conservation costs.

3. It’s an area protected  under the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area

This means it’s a spot where marine life cannot be removed!

4. It’s one of the most breathtaking, affordable experiences around Cape Town

The fee for South Africans is R44, and for SA kids, it’s just R22.

5. The Beach Supports Animal Wellbeing

You can look but you can’t touch or feed our tuxedo-donning friends. If you do, you’ll be fined R500 in an effort not to disturb their wellness!

Source: World’s 50 Best Beaches; SANParks

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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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