When an eyesore of trash havoc started ruining a community’s morning in Sea Point, one homeless hero took action:

Sea Point, South Africa (12 February 2024) — On Sunday morning, a part of Sea Point woke up to trash havoc.

At a common curb near the Point Mall where foot traffic is frequent, it looked as though a small garbage truck had broken down. Packets. Papers. Bottles. You name it. The usually very pretty street faced an unfortunate eyesore, much to the dismay evident in commentary from those driving, cycling and trotting by.

Almost everyone in that part of Sea Point had something to say about it, according to community members. Heads shook with disappointment. Some colourful language was said to have been present too. People crossed the street to avoid it. And mutterings about the problematic street children who had reportedly been the cause of several calls from private security in the area could be heard.

But nobody had yet taken on fixing up the mess.

As a community member who saw the trash havoc unfold explained to Good Things Guy’s Ashleigh, the trashed curb had reportedly been the work of someone who ripped open black bags and proceeded to kick what was inside all over the show. Why this happened isn’t the point.

While complaints continued, one person quietly made their way up to the chaos. One homeless person shook his head before stopping and taking action.

Without a moment’s hesitation or fuss, he slowly but surely cleaned all of it himself. Piece by piece (and there was a lot) he bent his tired body over and made sure that the curb looked much, much better than when he found it.

What was initially a sight of distress became a sight of hope. Moments like that tend to stay front of mind because they warm hearts—partly in a joyful way, and partly in that reflective way you experience upon realising quiet hope happens around us all the time.

Was it a small act? Yes. But he made someone’s Sunday. And that small act of good changed the trajectory of everyone’s experience in that part of the suburb from negative to positive, which turns it into a pretty big act when you think about it.

Sources: GTG

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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.

The post Homeless Hero Cleans Trash Havoc and Made Someone’s Sunday appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Thomas has turned his life around from being homeless to a life where he is a ray of hope for those who are currently fighting the battles of life he once fought. Now, he’s on a mission to support more struggling lives not just through his own experience but education, with hopes to study further!

Cape Town, South Africa (01 February 2024) — Not long ago, life looked very different for Thomas Willimas.

Once homeless, Thomas mustered up enough courage and hope in his heart to get himself back on track. Not only has he celebrated 10 months of sobriety, he is also no longer homeless. Better yet, he’s now in a position where he actively supports the homeless community and stands as a ray of hope for so many who find themselves in one of life’s most hopeless places.

How did he do it?

Thomas joined the Secret Love Project and Streetscapes. If homelessness were a dark road, these two organisations and their initiatives are the streetlights guiding you back to yourself, and to better opportunities. Where streetscapes create work opportunities for the homeless (from cleaning up the streets to gardening and farming), the Secret Love Project focuses on the LOVEconomy. Through this, destitute people sell heart stickers instead of begging.

As Streetscapes’ shares, “Thomas Willaims joined Streetscapes as a client, battling all the issues that pull down the unhomed. During the ensuing years, Tom has repeatedly overcome and prevailed, becoming a highly valued member of our Peer Support Group.” 

Thomas works now as a peer support worker at Streetscapes where he helps others as part of the holistic approach the organisation takes to getting lives out of the gutter. He also works at the Secret Love Project every Friday.

But his dream now is to touch more lives while being armed with as much helpful information as possible. Thomas is rallying to study further and hopes to become well-versed in Social Auxiliary Work!

Completing the course would help him help others not only from a place of experience but knowledge.

His campaign has already raised over R10,000, with the most inspiring notes of support from so many donors. You can support Thomas (and all those he will undoubtedly help on their own hopeful journeys from the streets) here.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

The post Homeless and Helpless No Longer: Now Thomas is a Ray of Hope appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The beach lover and ‘rockstar’ of Sea Point’s Sunset Beach has been revealed thanks to Good Things Guy readers!

Sea Point, South Africa (21 January 2024)—Recently, the Good Things Guy team were on the lookout for the rockstar of Sea Point, who has been leaving one Sunset Beach (just before Saunders) a little lovelier every evening.

In case you missed it, the mystery rockstar has been creating regular visual love letters to the seaside suburb using rocks to make heartwarming formations. More often than not, there’s a massive heart to marvel at.

As one of our readers shared:

“I don’t know who the Rockstar is but I walk along the beach front as often as I can and I am amazed at the creative hearts that appear on that stretch of sandy beach…I sometimes managed to take a picture before the creation gets replaced. In a world that is often so cruel…there’s still love and plenty to be grateful for.” 

After the community had been privy to the love enough times, the search for the beachgoer behind them was on.

Many of our readers knew exactly who the rockstar was. Some had spent time learning about his life. Others had shared meals with him before. Several readers revealed that he is homeless. And, that he has a big heart.

He is referred to as Simba.

“Simba cares for Sunset Beach, the environment and sealife with so much love and such wonderful positive energy,” a different reader tells Good Things Guy.

“He is a lovely person, always smiling and friendly,” another added.

“I was as amazed to see the care that has gone into each and every creation. Fortunately, I got to meet Simba, the artist. A warm and charismatic guy. Whenever we see each other, his eyes light up and we have a lovely chat before we continue, each with our self-appointed task,” were the insights of another Simba fan.

It’s safe to say that Simba has won over much of Sea Point, so much so that one of our readers has mentioned getting some more books together for him (Simba is said to love Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters books).

Anyone who might have these books or others that they’d like to share with Simba can contact info@goodthingsguy.com.

Sources: GTG

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

The post The Rockstar of Sea Point Revealed! Meet Simba  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

After a man found himself homeless with his only shelter being his car, he created something incredible from rock bottom, fueled by kindness.

Stellenbosch (24 July, 2023) — Simbirisiyo Mushanewana found himself calling rock bottom home for a while. After losing everything he had to his divorce, it was Simbirisiyo and his car against the world. Homeless but determined, Simbirisiyo knew he had to look forward. Little did he know that years down the line, all the times he didn’t give up and all the kindness he saved would add up to create something incredible. Something that brought Donations on Wheels to life.

But before that lay a lengthy road.

Coming over from Zimbabwe to South Africa over a decade ago came with challenges. Despite getting himself off the streets and building the foundations of a new chapter, Simbirisiyo saw things crumble in 2019.

Knee problems made working as an Uber driver again difficult as he couldn’t sit for enough time to make a living. This posed a double-whammy of physical and financial frustration.

However, Simbirisiyo knew life’s lemons by then, and so he knew he needed a plan. One part of the plan meant strengthening his leg. The other meant connecting with people who spoke the same life language as him—the homeless.

With just R120, he went out and brought dry food. He shared it with his new homeless friends and soon this became a ritual.

He’d ask people for leftovers then drive a little before taking a walk he could manage to the homeless. 500 metres became nearly 8-10kms a day as time went on. This was the original,  ‘Donations on Wheels’ that was then known simply as a Simbirisiyo visit.

Eventually, he’d found both his strength and his passion—making life kinder to the homeless.

By 2021, a core team of people who shared his passion was established, and soon the official Donations on Wheels had kickstarted, fueled by the same kindness that got Simbirisiyo on his feet in every literal sense.

Today, you can find the impact of their work all over homeless communities in Stellenbosch. Though the mission is bigger, the heart is the same.

Help Donations On Wheels Deliver Kindness

Anyone who has food or clothes that they no longer need in Stellenbosch can give Donations on Wheels a call. Just like a courier service, they’ll come pick up whatever you can give and share it with the communities that need it most. You can also help in other ways, like sponsoring a good night’s sleep.

Simbirisiyo’s is Another Story That Reminds People Why Homeless Lives Matter

Homeless lives are often overlooked. But often people stereotype these communities unfairly. The next homeless person you meet might just be a Simbirisiyo with a dream to give back. A Clive giving kindness with the little he has, or an animal hero like Deslyn.

Sources: Donations on Wheels

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

The post From Homeless Man to Hero—Donations On Wheels’ Fuel is Kindness appeared first on Good Things Guy.