From Soweto to the States, sprinter and speed prince Shaun Maswanganyi is taking the running world by storm! Recently, he set a brand new record, making South Africa proud on international tracks:

Texas, USA (01 March 2024) — Shaun Maswanganyi, the iconic 23-year-old sprinter, continues to solidify his title as a prince of speed after a hugely successful stretch in Texas.

An athlete who has held South Africa’s flag up to the stars at every level of competition, Shaun has just made South Africa proud again by setting a brand new record at a track competition that saw speed take centre stage at Texas Tech University.

From Soweto to the States, Shaun’s career as an athlete has grown from strength to strength. No stranger to making South Africa proud, last year, he earned silver in the 100m of the FISU World University Games in China. He has also competed in the Tokyo Olympics, and was ranked as fastest male athlete in SA after his 200m clock-in which dipped below 20-seconds last year. Better yet, these are just a few of his achievements; with others ranging from national records to being crowned the African U20 champion.

 

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In his recent record-rocking moment, the University of Houston sprinter set a men’s 200m record with 20.41 seconds on the clock. According to Houston Cougar Track and Field, this incredible display of speed means that Shaun has made an “all-time South African record’—the “fastest in South Africa’s 200m indoor short track history”!

 

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Although he might be a Houston local these days, Shaun’s determination to represent South Africa with pride is unwavering; beneath the red and white kit he wears is green and gold blood as he continues his career as a local and international legend in the making.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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South African non-profit Khulisa Social Solutions has made the country proud once again after scooping its 6th global award for incredible community work!

Global (14 February 2024) — Non-profit organisation Khulisa Social Solutions has done it again and scooped yet another international award!

The NPO, who has spent over a quarter of a century bettering the lives of underprivileged South Africans across 150 communities, impacting over 100,000 people, has won the ward for Best Social Solutions Not-for-Profit 2024—South Africa, as awarded by the prestigious GBI Magazine.

Says Khulisa Social Solutions’ Founder Lesley Ann van Selm:

“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners who have contributed to our success.”

The award celebrates the best of the best when it comes to development sectors, business leaders and innovators across the globe. Having a South African NPO win in a sector so imperative to our country—development—is a fitting feat that we can all celebrate.

Last year alone, Khulisa Social Solutions won the CEO Today Africa Award and ‘Best Social Solutions Not-for-Profit 2023’ from the Global Excellence Awards as well as the prominent Corporate LiveWire ‘Youth Support NPO of the Year’. Not to mention, the NPO was a finalist for the International Peace Awards category for the best work in addressing poverty and homelessness, peace-making interventions, and youth empowerment interventions in marginalised communities for 2022.

What Makes Khulisa Social Solutions So Special

Getting to the root of social concerns and providing the tools for participants to create their own pathways to brighter futures is what Khulisa does best. Where many NPOs and NGOs address single issues in what are often unsustainable ways, Khulisa looks at holistic efforts that embody individual and collective challenges; equipping people with an environment where they are heard and the skills to be their own champions alongside support from staff.

In a nutshell, its focus is on empowering vulnerable youth who are at risk of remaining trapped in cycles of poverty and hardships. To empower means to engage in carefully tailored programmes that don’t put a band-aid on the problem but offer long-term healing techniques that start with reflection and understanding.

As such, the NPO is active in several holistic programmes. These include the sustainable livelihood programme (self-sufficiency), Dialogue Circles (for children, teachers and parents), the Buddy Programme for children who are bullied, ‘Dare to Dream’ where participants are provided with skills to overcome poverty and crime, ‘Second Chances’ which focuses on overcoming substance abuse and peace-making programmes. Each programme has identified a challenge in the system and a roadmap that helps solve the challenge where community value plays a big role.

Find out more about Khulisa Social Solutions and their incredible work, here!

Sources: Khulisa Social Solutions, GTG 

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Talk about a winning morning swim! Erin Gallagher swam a best time at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha AND made history with a new record!

Doha, Qatar (12 February 2024) — South Africa’s water warriors set off late last week for the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, with many of our swimmers well-prepared to make South Africa proud as a precursor to the Paris Olympics. Basking in SA’s pride is 25-year-old swimmer Erin Gallagher whose morning swim turned into an African record!

We’re sure Pretoria couldn’t be prouder of their girl who showed Worlds what putting heat into a heat looks like; especially during one of the most nerve-racking swims at a big event considering it was the first race.

Erin made her record-setting splash thanks to her time of 57.59 for the 100m butterfly. This led her to qualify for the semi-finals, where she kept her victory streak going by, soaring in at third place for that heat, ultimately earning her first opportunity to swim in the finals for Worlds.

The record Erin set is a new record for the continent; breaking the previous time set by Erin herself.

Experiencing a moment of such magnitude so early on at Worlds came as a big surprise to the young swimmer, who described it as both a shock and a treat”.

“Being the first race of the gala, with the nerves and breaking the ice, sometimes you can have a bit of a rusty swim and you realise what you need to work on, so to see that African record next to my time was a really big shock for me.” 

Because she hardly expected it to go so well so early on made it that much more of a treat.

Joining Erin in the finals cohort is Chad Le Clos, who congratulated Erin by sharing he’s very happy for her and her progress.

Meanwhile, other South Africans continue to give the Worlds’ waters their best, with the Championship on until 18 February (Sunday).

Sources: Team SA

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South Africa’s Grammy tally is stacking up thanks to another recent win by Tyla, which has given us a great excuse to celebrate all the South Africans who have won the coveted award:

South Africa (06 February 2024) — Beyond being hilarious, resilient, hopeful and helpful, South Africans are talented. Maybe it’s all the extra practice time we have when the power goes off, or maybe we really just are that iconic. There are few things we at Good Things Guy love more than showing South African talent off, and Tyla’s recent addition to South Africa’s Grammy Tally has given us the perfect excuse to do just that.

According to a viral tweet on X by Africa Facts Zone, “South Africa has 13 Grammys, the highest in Africa.” But, there are actually more names that have contributed to South Africa’s Grammy Tally, and our award count is higher!

• Black Coffee: 1 Grammy and 1 nomination
• Dave Matthews: 2 Grammys and 16 nominations
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo: 5 Grammys and 17 nominations
• Lebo Morake: 1 Grammy and 1 nomination
• Miriam Makeba: 1 Grammy and 9 nominations
• Nomcebo Zikode: 1 Grammy and 1 nomination
• Phil Ramone: 14 Grammys and 32 nominations
• Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange: 5 Grammys and 20 nominations
• Soweto Gospel Choir: 3 Grammys and 5 nominations
• Tyla: 1 Grammy and 1 nomination
• Trevor Rabin: 1 Grammy and 6 nominations
• Wouter Kellerman: 2 Grammys and 4 nominations
• Zakes Bantwini: 1 Grammy and 1 nomination

Special mentions go to Doja Cat (Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini), who is half South African and has 1 Grammy, and Trevor Noah, who has hosted the Grammys for four consecutive years.

Sources: Recording Academy Grammy Awards; Medium

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Chad le Clos the champ has been riding the wave of his comeback; recently striking double gold wins in Luxembourg and an exciting season ahead:

Luxembourg (31 January 2024) — Chad le Clos is riding the wave of his comeback in the swimming world, and no one is happier to have him back in action than South Africa.

For many swimming fans, his comeback was fully solidified when he competed in the German Short Course Nationals and brought home five gold medals. Milestones thereafter included the national fish qualifying for February’s World Aquatic Championships in Doha and the Olympic Games officially secured in December!

A recent success story saw the national fish strike double gold at the 2024 Euro Meet in Luxembourg, which has given South Africans everywhere yet another reason to count down to the 2024 Paris Olympics in victorious anticipation.

The Olympian has faced tough setbacks including injuries and prolonged illnesses that kept him from competing in events like the World Long-Course Championships, but with a recent fleet of achievements in his lane, the seasoned champion is feeling excited for the Road to Paris and all the other chances to make South Africa proud along the way.

Speaking to Team South Africa regarding his mature position in the team, Chad noted “It’s just great that I’m still able to continue going…I’m almost in my third generation of swimmer at the moment, but I’m very proud of that.” 

Sources: Chad Le Clos; Team SA

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After a gruelling journey just under 5000 kilometres in length, Freedom Rower Peet Botma has finished the World’s Toughest Row in a finish equally epic and emotional!

Antigua (29 January 2024) — It’s been a lifetime of experiences packed into weeks for Peet Botma, AKA the ‘Freedom Rower’ after he embarked on the World’s Toughest Row (a challenge true to its title). A solo adventure that saw 3000 daunting miles (just under 5000 kilometres) to mission, what began as a bold and extraordinary expression of humility in early December has finally come to its end after a big final push.

Yesterday, Peet arrived at the dockyard in Antigua where he was met with supporters and his family (for whom getting to Antigua was also a journey). This would be the first time he had seen people in 45 days, 22 hours and 57 minutes—the time it took him to compete in the World’s Toughest Row.

When Peet caught sight of the end and knew that his oar would finally be rested (at least for a while), he lit up the flare lights and held them proudly like his own Olympian flame.

The occasion saw him welcomed with cheers, and a special brand of South African support as a nearby yacht played South African songs.

What had been a dream for a decade was finally finished. What seemed unimaginable was now done and dusted. What seemed so hard out there on the Atlantic, now rested as a job well done.

“It’s incredible. It’s been a dream for so long, that’s sort of being realised today and it was very, very hard at times out there. I think this race, this row, this ocean really can take you to places physically, mentally, emotionally where you have never been before. When you think you were there yesterday, it just takes you there again tomorrow and onto a next level. I’m very happy, very satisfied, happy with the row..thank you.” —Peet Botma reflecting on the World’s Toughest row.

Peet signed up for the row for himself and for the underprivileged boys part of The Surf Lounge Academy. Hopefully, his larger-than-life effort will change not only his life for the better but theirs, too.

Sources: Peet Botma

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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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South Africa’s Tyla has made us so proud over the past few months. From breaking records to earning a Grammy nomination, we’re hardly surprised that she’s playing Coachella 2024!

Global (18 January 2024) — It’s been a whirlwind past few months for Joburg’s gem and South African breakout pop star, Tyla Seethal. From soaring to the summit of YouTube’s Music Charts to earning a Grammy nomination and even getting former US President Barack Obama’s playlist approval, the local songstress has surfed the wave from her hit ‘Water’ to the kinds of places and opportunities most musicians have only dreamt about. Cue Tyla’s latest big moment—making the Coachella 2024 roll call!

It’s a musical milestone for the artist who is only in her early twenties. In fact, it’s a milestone for any artist; one that Kyle Watson—who made home country very proud when he played Coachella 2023—described as “the pinnacle of all festivals”. 

For the artist who takes almost every opportunity to flaunt her home city country, a spot to sing on on the coveted stage is just another reason artists and fans from the Free State to Jozi continue to look up to the singer.

And for SA’s music scene as a whole, this marks another year where South Africa takes space on the stage; a hugely promising outlook as our artists continue to break into bigger markets.

All in all, Tyla will share the stage with some of the world’s most popular and talented artists, including Lana Del Rey, Ice Spice, Tyler – The Creator, Dojo Cat, J Calvin, Jhené Aino and Skepta amongst a constellation of other stars.

 

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Her dream of becoming the first global South African pop star continues steadily, and we’re rooting for her all the way.

Sources: Coachella

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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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South Africa’s Lloyd Harris has nudged a step closer to the Australian Open after making it to the Qualifiers finals!

Melbourne, Australia (11 January 2024) — The Australian Open is looking promising for Team South Africa thanks to 26-year-old Lloyd Harris.

Despite enduring a somewhat quiet era impacted by a wrist injury (followed by another injury after his recovery, which largely influenced the athlete’s recent career) Lloyd is conquering the courts.

According to Tennis South Africa, the world’s former 31-ranked player has kicked off the Australian Open in good steed after a “comfortable victory” over  France’s Kyrian Jacquet.

“This result puts Harris just one match away from qualifying for the main draw of the men’s singles at the Australian Open,” they add.

There, Lloyd will face off with another French competitor, Hugo Gaston.

Per Lloyd’s coach, Anthony Harris, competing in the qualifiers means being “only a single step away from making it” given the increase in qualifiers standards.

While South African tennis fans root for Harris, they also gear up to root for two legends in wheelchair tennis, Kgothatso Montjane and Donald Ramphadi who will also be competing in the Open.

The Australian Open will run from 14 to 28 January.

Meanwhile, in other exciting tennis news for juniors in Windhoek, the Southern Africa Junior Championships are heating up with Team SA’s tennis juniors already having earned three gold medals and a silver!

Sources: Various (Linked Above) 

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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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SA hockey stars have given our country another reason to be proud thanks to our Women’s Team who recently took the Tuanku Zara International Cup, and the Men who came second on the road to the Sultan Nazrin Shah Cup.

South Africa (14 November 2023) — After both the SA hockey men’s and women’s teams booked their spots for the 2024 Olympics, our indoor squads have also made us massively proud.

After a tense showdown during the Tuanku Zara International Cup that was recently underway in Malaysia, the South African Hockey Women were crowned the victors thanks to their defeat of Switzerland.

According to the South African Hockey Association, the final was a ‘titanic tussle’ between both sides that went from a tie to victory in South Africa’s favour, though not without putting up a good fight.

Following what could’ve been the plot to an Old Western—a shootout and ‘sudden death’ efforts had come about after the unsettling tie— South Africa’s wonder women took their moment to secure the win, and thanks to incredible plays by Kayla de Waal, Charlize Swanepoel and Teagan Fourie in the last push, the Tuanku Zara Internation Cup soon became South Africa’s.

In the men’s stretch, which saw the indoor team compete for the Sultan Nazrin Shah Cup, South Africa went up against Namibia and ultimately placed second after giving it their all en route to claiming the Cup.

However, a big milestone was celebrated for player Jethro Eustice who earned his 50th indoor cap (making him the second man to achieve this) and his 221st international match for our country.

Sources: SA Hockey

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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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Cape Town Fashion Designer, Lukhanyo Mdingi beat out designers from around the world to win a coveted international fashion prize; making local fashion lovers beyond proud!

Global (01 November 2023) — After making fashion lovers around South Africa proud as the only South African picked for the AMIRI Prize Finalists list (a coveted, international fashion award), Cape Town fashion designer Lukhanyo Mdingi has gone on to win the award.

“We’re incredibly proud to be the recipient winner of this season’s AMIRI Prize 2023,” Lukhanyo Mdingi expressed. 

The Cape Town fashion designer’s eponymous label has, since 2015 been synonymous with community and creation with intention. As such, the international accolade is a reflection not only of remarkable talent but of community support.

“To be under the aegis of this institute is a true reflection of what it means to be of service and purpose to others…

“To my LM Studio, cabinet of friends & collaborators your continuous support, guidance and belief has been immeasurable; through the trajectory of establishing the foundation of the LM label, the experience has been unmatched. Its your continuous presence that has inspired and allowed me to consistently persevere with the intentional work of our label, Lukhanyo Mdingi.”—Lukhanyo Mdingi. 

Mdingi was selected out of nine finalists representing countries around the world. However, the designer’s relationship-centric, ethical design process and unique visualisation of local pride beat out the world to earn Mdingi a moment that will inspire young creatives all over the country.

The AMIRI Prize is awarded to up-and-coming talent from diverse backgrounds and will grant Mdingi $ 100,000 (almost R2 million) as well as a mentorship set to span a year with Mike Amiri.

The prize announcement praised Lukhanyo Mdingi as a label that “exists as a space that moves deeply into the very essence of human ingenuity and the preservation of craftsmanship,” and the South African fashion community couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own soaring at this level.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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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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