Thanks to an old, discarded coffee machine, Lisette and Sanele, the recycler, had the fortune of crossing paths. But this was not any friendship. For Sanele, it meant having someone to believe in him and in turn, inspire him to get off the streets—which he did! All the feels:

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 March 2024) — For Sanele Tolashe, a fortuitous friendship with Lisette Datnow did not just mean having a new person to call a friend. Sanele credits Lisette as the reason his life changed, and the reason he is no longer a street recycler.

Sanele and Lisette met thanks to an old coffee machine that Lisette’s son Michael had discarded back in 2020’s early lockdown.

“Somehow it was fortuitous that I saw [Sanele] pick the machine up and he said he was going to have coffee every morning like normal people,” Lisette recalls.

Every Tuesday, Lisette, Sanele and his late friend Lucky would chat when they came by to recycle items. Lisette began helping with cardboard collections from her office.

When the community worked on an upgrade project across the road, Sanele was in on the helpful action. This led to Lisette and her friends collecting new T-shirts, industrial safety boots and gloves for him, and at the handover, he and his friends and Lisette and her friends all sat in the park and talked. People from completely different worlds, weaved together with kindness and respect.

“These were people who were down on their luck, but good, decent people,” says Lisette. 

The friendship continued from there, and Lisette learned more about Sanele’s life, slowly becoming more than a friend, but someone who encouraged him with unwavering determination.

Sanele had a good life growing up in Carletonville but shares that things changed after his father and mother died. Despite going to school, he wasn’t able to finish his diploma due to financial reasons. After he found work, things changed again when the company closed. This led him to recycling, the streets and eventually, to ‘Miss Liz” as he affectionately calls Lisette.

“That’s when my life changed, because she saw me as a person with potential to change my life around and by that she always encouraged [me] to never give up and always hope for the better,” says Sanele. 

He adds that after spending time with her, he became inspired to get off the streets.

“I packed my things and told myself I’m not gonna live the rest of my life living in the streets.”

Sanele moved in with one of his brothers and got a job as a cashier—the beginning of many more moments he is proud of.

“I was delighted and have followed his progress since,” Lisette shared, adding that they are still very mouch in touch. 

Lisette was key in rallying for Sanele to further his studies (the same momentum Liz had shown before for Sandisiwe who needed spectacles for her studies). Despite the fundraising not panning out, Sanele is now happily working at a construction company.

“I’m grateful to have met Miss Liz because without her, maybe I would still be living in the streets eating unhealthy food from the bins. That’s why I love her has my mother.” 

Lisette’s message to others is to show up with kindness, avoid being presumptuous about others’ circumstances and help where you can—even if it’s striking up a conversation or giving a recycler a colourful bin so the sorting process is easier.

“Only in South Africa can you get this type of friendship. To ask people to “BE KIND” and treat everyone with respect. You don’t know their story or their struggles. Recyclers are trying to make an honest living…if everyone can just be kind, this world would be a better place.”—Lisette Datnow. 

Sources: GTG Interview 

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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.

The post How a Fortuitous Friendship Helped Change Sanele the Recycler’s Life  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The University of Johannesburg has announced a new scholarship, the Mpedi Neurodiversity Scholarship which will help make research in a very underserved field more accessible!

Johannesburg, South Africa (06 March 2024) — In an effort to further research in the field of Neurodiversity Studies, the University of Johannesburg has initiated its Mpedi Neurodiversity Scholarship thanks to UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi and his family!

Professor Mpedi is a parent to a neurodivergent son. From his son, the professor has witnessed both the unique intelligence and systemic challenges neurodivergent people face. Knowing that learning more is the first step to creating a more fitting society, the Neurodiversity Scholarship hopes to help more students who want to explore the largely untapped topic a Master’s level, with a emphasis on the neuro-develeopmental learning needs of children and youth.

This will hopefully play an important role paving the way to a South Africa that shifts to help neurodivergent people flourish instead of them having to simply make their way through a society that by systemic design, often doesn’t consider them.

UJ shares:

“The scholarship represents more than a financial aid program. It symbolises the commitment by UJ to address global challenges in the field of neurodiversity. The scholarship aims to facilitate meaningful research that contributes to a more inclusive and understanding society.”

For Mpedi, there are many areas where the system does not serve neurodivergent people. Legal systems do not safeguard their rights enough, policies are not centred around inclusivity and nurturing environments where neurodivergent people’s perspectives and capabilities are not acknowleged enough.

For him, it is about seeing the differences that neurodivergence entails not through the lens that paints them as defective, but as a variation of the human experience.

Students have already been awarded the scholarship. Nthabiseng Molebatsi, Ntokozo Zwane, and Mohamed Mosala are all researching topics related to Down Syndrome. Each is examining different topics, including parents’ experiences in providing support and transitioning from home to school.

Sources: University of Johannesburg 

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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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When an elderly tourist from the Netherlands was about to fly home, the swelling in his hand couldn’t be ignored. After having to disembark, he found himself in a city full of strangers and completely reliant on the kindness of others. Thanks to two very special South Africans, he got all the help he needed!

Johannesburg, South Africa (06 March 2024) — What was meant to be a simple trip back to the Netherlands turned into a series of complicated events for one Abraham van Roijen, an elderly tourist in his late 80s, who was visiting South Africa, last December.

When it came time for his visit to end, Abraham started to notice that something wasn’t exactly right with his left hand.

Swollen and in pain, the elderly tourist figured that he would sort it out when he got back to the Netherlands. However, a doctor aboard his flight advised Abraham not to fly with a hand that swollen, and encouraged him to get off the plane.

Without family or friends anywhere near OR Tambo, Abraham became completely reliant on the kindness of South Africans. In the early hours of the morning as his plane flew overhead, Abraham checked into a hotel near the airport, but couldn’t sleep due to to the pain of his hand.

At the reception desk, he met the incredibly compassionate Jani Ligthelm, the hotel’s general manager. Jani kindly helped him contact a family member from her phone as his baggage, containing his phone, was still with the airline. With his niece, Mariska Spoonmaker, worried about the state of his hand and unable to do anything from the Eastern Cape, Abraham’s ‘first responders’ became Jani and Andrew Nkosizile Mtshali – a diligent taxi driver.

Abraham was determined to get on the next flight, so Jani made the choice to trust the elderly tourist, but only under the caring eyes of Andrew the taxi driver, who became something of a knight in shining armour for Abraham.

Andrew made sure Abraham got to the airport safely. When the airline counter turned out to be closed, he was the one to insist on taking Abraham to a medical centre in Kempton Park.

Andrew contacted Abraham’s son Bram to ensure Abraham could chat with his son during the hospital’s visiting hours. The situation with his hand turned out to be urgent, and without Andrew offering his phone and time, Abraham wouldn’t have been able to keep his family in the loop or sort out his medical insurance.

After two medical procedures were underway, Andrew even made sure Bram was updated throughout the process with photos.

Eventually, with Abraham finally on the road to recovery, Bram was able to fly in to assist his father. Andrew, of course, was waiting in the wings to unite them both and drove Bram from the airport to be with his dad during the scary time.

As it turned out, Abraham may have been bitten by a spider, which could’ve led to terrible consequences had Abraham’s new South African friends not stepped in to help. Several days later, the tourist made it back to the Netherlands, where doctors would look after him.

Freelance journalist and niece Mariska Spoonmaker shared this story of the small, but incredibly impactful kindness with Good Things Guy.

“I look back in gratitude at Jani and Andrew – two caring people who went way further than the extra mile to assist an 87-year-old in need. Everything could have gone so wrong. But it didn’t. Because two South Africans cared enough to help. Nkosi.”

Sources: Mariska Spoormaker

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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 South Africans Help Elderly Tourist Through Medical Mayhem  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Pothole Patrol team have filled over 200,000 potholes since 2021 all thanks to the collaboration of big business and residents of Johannesburg.

South Africa (04 March 2024) – Living in South Africa means one becomes more than acquainted with the numerous potholes that are found along the daily commute. There are many communities that take matters into their own hands, to combat the worst of the worst. Now there is a new team on the road called the “Pothole Patrol”.

Starting in 2023, 18 people were enrolled in a pilot training programme and it was a huge success. Launching in February this year, students will now be earning an NQF Level 3 qualification after 12 months of practical training and studies. The pilot programme has since seen a further 24 learners enrolled in 2024.

“In its first official year, which kicked off on 1 February 2024, the Academy is providing classroom and on-the job-training to 24 learners through EduWize, an accredited learnership and skills development provider.

Participants are men and women aged 22 to 34 from previously disadvantaged communities and will obtain a National Certificate in Roadworks Construction upon completion. The aim of the programme is to equip participants with road construction skills and the confidence to start their own business one day.”

The programme is being run by Discovery in partnership with various stakeholders. With support from the City of Johannesburg, over 200,000 potholes have been repaired on major Johannesburg roads. The initiative’s initial target was to repair 1,000 potholes a week – which has been exceeded by 25%.

The best part is if you have a pothole in your area (specifically in Johannesburg areas), you can report it for free using the Discovery Pothole Patrol mobile app (available for iOS and Android). You just have to register, and then upload a picture or capture the pothole’s location.

There are parameters to what can be repaired by the Pothole Patrol. The team can only work on potholes measuring a maximum size of 1m by 1m. Anything bigger or deeper than 3cm, has to be handled by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). However, the Pothole Patrol will escalate the “reinstatements” to the authorities.

“Reinstatements, road excavations, deep trenches or cracks are caused by entities and other service providers, either repairing or installing their services and are not classified as potholes.” – Discovery Pothole Patrol

The efforts of the Pothole Patrol are helping work through the backlog of repairs needed in Johannesburg. Thanks to the collaboration of big business, the city and residents who report potholes, a change is happening!

Sources: Discovery

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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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Xavier Joubert is growing into a strong young man, but due to his special needs, he would be better able to cope at a specialised facility. Friends and family are working to secure his place there.

South Africa (29 February 2024) – Xavier Joubert is credited as being the quirkiest, coolest guy who loves dinosaurs, creepy creatures, and watching Transformers. He holds a special place in the hearts of many, but as he grows up, he needs to be in an environment where his special needs are best catered to.

Xavier is a 14-year-old young man; he has been diagnosed with Mild Intellectual Disorder (MID) with comorbidities of autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. His mom, Tammy, has been raising Xavier and his brother on her own for most of their lives. Tammy is credited as a hero mom by her friends, giving her boys everything they need to thrive.

Xavier’s various conditions mean he needs specialised care, and as he is growing stronger, things are becoming challenging. Tammy has seen a change in his behaviour over the past year, and it has become clear that Xavier needs a specialised living structure to support his special needs, which she cannot offer from their home with her limited resources. They have looked at Woodside Sanctuary, which is their preferred facility.

“He has become a flight and safety risk as whenever he goes out of his home he has the urge to run away, even jump out of a moving car, and this has put a major restriction on the family and their daily life. They simply cannot take him anywhere for fear of him hurting himself.

Thankfully, Woodside Sanctuary in Auckland Park has been identified as a [potentially] suitable home that can provide the level of care Xavier needs to get him through this time of his teenage life.”

Speaking to Tammy, she shared that she hopes to greatly improve Xavier’s quality of life. She explains that 2023 was a very tough year for Xavier; he had several changes in his medications, which added to his angst and then coupled with being kept home to avoid running away, it has been a lot – this move will give him the quality of life he so deserves.

“My boy has been at home since last year, around August/September, due to his wanting to run away and bolt.

His move to Woodside [would be] so that he gets the correct stimulation and structure in a safe environment with people who have the tools and skillsets I can’t translate at home. I cannot bear to see my son waste away at home without the stimulation he requires. And being a single, full time working Mom – I am unable to provide that myself. The manpower/resources to do that with a teenage boy is in itself still hindered by his bolting.”

For the past 69 years, Woodside Sanctuary has provided full-time residential and daycare services to individuals with severe to profound intellectual and physical disabilities.

This sanctuary is vitally important as it offers a space for more than just the residents who call it home. They offer so many services that benefit the lives of people with profound intellectual and physical disabilities, from remedial and stimulation therapy to nursing and physical therapy. They provide nutritional and educational support and so much more.

This is more than a facility; it is a loving, caring and supportive home. The staff who work at Woodside Sanctuary are the only family many of the residents have ever known. The level of care is just phenomenal.

Fees paid to the facility include full access to nursing care and a doctor, access to a psychiatrist, 24-hour-a-day care and treatment, a variety of stimulation programmes such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Remedial school, access to a social worker, three full meals per day, as well as tea and snacks in between.

The great part is that after 3 months at the sanctuary, residents qualify for grants which are used to subsidise their fees.

“After being at Woodside for 3 months, our residents then qualify to receive two grants, depending on certain criteria. Residents who are South African citizens and are over 18 qualify for the Bed Grant and the SASSA disability grant, which are R5 526 and R2 080 respectively. Residents who are South African citizens and under 18 only qualify for the Bed Grant of R5 526. Any grants received for our residents are deducted from their total fees.” – Loné Lourens, Woodside Sanctuary

Friends set up a BackaBuddy to help Tammy cover the costs of Xavier going to Woodside for one year. The hope is to monitor his progress and ensure that he gets the help and support he needs. This will then help them plan for their future. This move will not be an easy one for the family, but one that will give Xavier his best life.

All funds raised will pay Xavier’s fees for living at Woodside Sanctuary. You can help Xavier get settled into his new home by donating towards his expenses here.

Sources: BackaBuddy / Tammy van Heerden

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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 Xavier’s New Home: Helping A Young Man Thrive in the Perfect Place appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Oldie Duke arrived at the Boksburg SPCA having clearly lived a very tough life so the team sent out a plea for help making his golden years the comfiest.

Boksburg, South Africa (28 February 2024) – The Boksburg SPCA were left shocked when oldie Duke was led into the SPCA having been found abandoned at the front gate. It was evident that he was an ex-hunting dog, covered in many old scars and suffering from several broken toes that healed badly. His old body has taken a lot of strain.

Several people suggested Duke get a comfy new bed and donated towards one. Duke’s tired body has several pressure sores, showing that he has spent many long, cold nights on hard surfaces. But not anymore!

The Boksburg SPCA shared the happy update that donors had made sure every night from now on, is a comfortable, warm one. He got a snazzy new bed filled with cosy blankets and cushions, and he is sporting a warm jersey to boot!

“Gentle Duke cannot get enough of his soft, warm bed!

His face says it all … the sheer pleasure of being in soft bed, warm & cozy … probably for the first time in his life! Its the simple things in life that bring happiness …. To look at his body, this fellow’s has a tough time!

Duke loves his food & is loving life with us!
Thank you for helping us, help Duke!”

Duke has earned himself a bevvy of fans who are rooting for him to enjoy his retirement. He is currently at the Boksburg SPCA so if you would like to find out more about his healing journey, check them out here.

Sources: Boksburg SPCA 1 / 2 / 3

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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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Last year, Chad Markgraaf signed up to run 100 marathons in 100 days for his friend fighting cancer. Now, he’s teamed up with Dayne Smith for ‘1000 Beyond Running’—10 km for 100 consecutive days to help underprivileged children’s education essentials!

Johannesburg (27 February 2024) — Another dynamic duo is on a mission to create positive change by making many kilometres count! While Ruth Boshoff and Debbi De Waal are preparing to put their legs to work to help fund a community food garden in the Western Cape (‘Greyton to Gardens’), in other parts of South Africa, Dayne Smith and Chad Markraaf have already set to the task of tekkies with their initiative ‘1000 Beyond Running’.

If the name rings a bell, Chad Markgraaf made headlines last year for running ‘100 marathons in 100 days’ to help a friend fight skin cancer’s financial challenges. It was a brilliant effort and one that has paved the way for Chad to get involved in more positive impact efforts in South Africa.

This year, Chad and Dayne have teamed up to tackle 10 kilometres for 100 days to raise funds to help underprivileged children along their educational journeys. At the end of the commitment, the two hope to have completed 1000 kilometres of effort for TeachBeyond—an education non-profit organisation!

Dayne, the National Director of TeachBeyond tells Good Things Guy that as of yesterday, 57 consecutive days have already been completed. That’s a whopping distance of 570 kilometres done and dusted! If we consider that some of South Africa’s most revered marathons like the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon (56 kilometres) and the Comrades (just over 87 kilometres) are some of the most intense exercises of endurance for legs to handle; the excitement around their chopped up runs of resilience becomes even more exciting.

Says Dayne of ‘1000 Beyond Running’:

“The primary objective of the campaign is to raise R100,000 to support the education of underprivileged children and provide essential educational services. We are thrilled to report that, thanks to the incredible support from individuals and organisations…[we] have already raised approximately R33,000, bringing us one step closer to achieving our goal.

“Our dedication is not only reflected in the distance we have covered but also in the positive impact they have already made in the lives of those we aim to support. The funds raised so far are contributing directly to providing educational opportunities and services for underprivileged children.”

Anyone who is keen to get the pair closer to their closing goal can learn more via info@teachbeyond.co.za!

“Together, we can make education accessible to all and create a lasting impact on the lives of underprivileged children.”—Dayne Smith.

Sources: Website Submission; Dayne Smith 

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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 Bedfordview Resident Action Group facilitated a heartwarming reunion recently, helping a “homeless” man connect with family in Australia.

Bedfordview, South Africa (23 February 2024) – Residents Action Group (RAG) is a community security non-profit organisation in Bedfordview. It was founded more than 20 years ago by Bedfordview residents to fight crime and to keep the community and their properties safe and secure. But RAG does much more than this. Over more than two decades as an integral part of the Bedfordview community, RAG has become the go-to provider that most residents contact for assistance with many things.

“We are called to respond to everything from illegal dumping, vandalism and vehicle accidents to medical emergencies, security threats, alarms, fires, suspicious people, lost pets, bad drivers and belligerent beggars,” says RAG’s volunteer chairperson Anjela da Silva.

It was an unkempt man who was initially thought to be a homeless beggar wandering around mumbling incoherently who recently gave RAG and the area’s residents an opportunity to live by the NPO’s slogan: “RAG cares and we are always there for you”.

The story started when the RAG reaction officers who patrol Bedfordview 24/7 noticed a new face on the streets. This was not one of the usual homeless people that they monitor daily.

“We also received calls from concerned residents, and they posted reports about him on the RAG emergency WhatsApp group. RAG started investigating,” Da Silva says.

RAG general manager Mark Morris found the new, mystery “vagrant”.

“He was dirty, disorientated and incoherent. He was refusing assistance. But as soon as he spoke, and I saw the good condition of his teeth, I knew that something was not right, and he was not a homeless man. I also checked his hands, and they did not show signs of a life on the street,” Morris says.

Emergency services were called in, including Morris’s son, Christopher, who is an advanced life support responder at Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (GEMS).

“Chris went above and beyond. He insisted that a second ambulance should be despatched, and he went there himself to personally ensure that the patient was treated and taken to hospital by that ambulance and not left to fend for himself, which happened with the first ambulance call out,” Morris reports.

RAG worked with social services and the hospital to establish who the man was and discovered that he was on holiday from Australia and had become unwell. He had left his hotel in a confused state. He wandered the streets and was finally found in an empty stand. By this time, he had been robbed of everything. His name, it turned out, is Stuart B and he is an airline employee from Sydney, Australia. His family informed RAG that he has a medical condition that progressed rapidly and resulted in him becoming delirious.

Mark and Christopher Morris met Stuart’s family after they flew in from Australia.

“They were enormously grateful to everyone who helped to save the life of the beloved ‘baby’ brother who they call ‘Little Man’. The outcome could have been very different if it were not for our diligent, dedicated RAG reaction officers and our alert, kind-hearted community. It was fortunate that we got help to him when we did because Stuart may not have survived much longer on the streets. He was hit on the head when he was robbed, and he was suffering from dehydration and severe sunburn when we got an ambulance to him. This was during the recent scorching heatwave.

“RAG and our community saved a life and got someone home safely to their family when the outcome could have been tragic. We want to thank everyone who contributed to this happy ending: our exceptional RAG reaction officers who always notice anything, or anyone, unusual on our streets, and always respond with care and compassion; the alert community members who reported where they had seen Stuart; and the generous residents who donated clothing and other items for him. Sifiso Dhlalisa, the manager of the Mercure Hotel in Bedfordview, where Stuart was staying, must also be commended for springing into action to search for his guest as soon as he learnt that he was missing.

“This is what community is all about, and RAG is proud to be part of our special community,” says Morris. He stresses that an important lesson from Stuart’s story is that we should not assume that someone who is on the street in a confused state is a vagrant who cannot be helped. “Call your security service provider, local authorities or emergency services. Let them investigate. Always ‘call it in’ is what RAG urges the community to do. We will always follow up. Calling it in may prevent a crime or save a life, like Stuart B’s.”

If you are part of the community or surrounding areas, you can follow here.

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.

The post Resident Action Group Help “Homeless” Man Reunite with Family appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Teenage and adult dogs at CLAW got their day in the limelight after photographer Emma O’Brien spent the day capturing their good looks.

South Africa (22 February 2024) – Emma O’Brien and CLAW have teamed up once again to help pups find their furever homes. The talented photographer often donates her skill and time to help shelter animals look their best to help boost chances of adoption.

Emma O’Brien is a portrait photographer specialising in human and animal photography. She is a champion for animal rescue and decided to use her talent to promote some underrated shelter animals.

Emma loves photographing black shelter animals. After doing some research, she found that black shelter animals have the slowest rate of adoption and the highest rate of euthanasia. The last time we featured Emma, she had asked rescue pet owners who had adopted black shelter animals if she could photograph their happy faces. The hope was to try to help boost their adoption rates in South Africa.

The most recent photoshoot was for CLAW (Community Led Animal Welfare) to promote their February dogs up for adoption. Emma takes incredible images and we adore the adoptees for this month.

It is safe to say each of these pups have shone in the limelight and may very well find their furever homes because of Emma’s efforts to capture their shine.

Take a look at all the beauties along with their information here.

Sources: CLAW

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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.

The post Photographer Helps Shelter Dogs Look Like Supermodels, Boosting Adoptions appeared first on Good Things Guy.

South African glass artist Malebogo Molokane’s is layered with emotion in a very literal way. But, her creations are also fused with a beautiful message of resilience:

Johannesburg, South Africa (21 February 2024) — South Africa’s glass artist Malebogo Molokane is embarking on her first official tour across her home country where her unique artistic edge will blow the minds of anyone who knows how to look beyond the surface.

The glass artist and Tshwane University of Technology alumni and part-time lecturer who was crowned the distinguished recipient of the 2022 Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award got the chance to share her creations with the art capital, Paris, after her big win. There at the Cité Internationale des Arts, she challenged herself as the only glass artist among her peers. Unwavering and determined, the doubts she faced in her delicate craft culminated in something much bigger—her first solo exhibition.

Malebogo is now presenting her exhibition thanks to the French Institute of South Africa and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), where her body of work has inspired visitors through both the message of the art and the craft behind it.

‘A Re Tshamekeng’ (“Let’s Play” in Setswane) explores the intricacies of emotional gestures and facial expressions through layered glass artworks. For the glass artist, the fragility of her medium is a reflection of the delicate balance of her journey and the subtle power of human expressions.

Moments of tension, misery, excitement and confusion—life is a game that ‘A Re Tshamekeng’ brings to the forefront in a most unique way.

But life is also nothing if not full of fun at the best of times, which is why her work also focuses on fun board and indigenous games using a variety of glass techniques, from blowing to beading and sand casting. The results are mind-blowing layered glass creations that blend journeys, fun, expressions and the human experience.

Says the artist:

“Glass art is a process and a bundle of emotions from studio to display. It is also a fragile process, mirroring the delicate nature of human emotions. Each time I engage with glass, it becomes a different form of self-expression. I can experiment with it in various ways, even when it cuts through me—yes there’s pain but also fulfilment. The comparison between the fragility of glass and life is essentially the same, with moments of added frustration both in daily challenges and the delicate process of working with glass.” 

The message, then, is that of resilience—just like her journey in creating the pieces. There will be pain, laughter, triumphs and challenges, but when you keep going and take a moment to reflect on all you’ve actually created, you’ll realise life is a game well worth giving your best shot.

Sources: Supplied 

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 South African Glass Artist Turns Emotions and Games Into Epic Showcase  appeared first on Good Things Guy.