After a 19-year-old stunt biker went to collect takeout, he suffered a terrible accident that fractured many bones in his face. This could’ve left him with permanent damage for the rest of his life if it wasn’t for a community of Good Samaritans who made his urgent surgery possible in the nick of time!

Vereeniging, South Africa (06 March 2024) — Aidan Roos, a 19-year-old from Three Rivers, Vereeniging, and a promising stunt biker with aspirations to showcase his skills in China, suffered a life-altering accident last month.

A seemingly routine outing for takeout took a disastrous turn when he slipped on a wet floor, and his face collided with a balustrade, causing severe facial injuries that abruptly halted his dreams.

But, in an incredible turn for Aidan and his family, his broader community came together just in time to help Aidan get the urgent surgery he needs; setting him on the road to both recovery and his dreams.

A series of initial misfortunes led to Aidan being unable to get his treatment sooner. Initially, he was sent home by the hospital as they were unable to proceed with the operation due to swelling. This led to medical aid opting not to cover his plight as they only cover up to 24 hours after a trauma, according to his Aunt Lynette Smith.

Everything changed for Aidan after that. His mom, Roeline Botha expressed that it has “brought  his bright future to a standstill.”

While his mom tried other means to raise funds, Aunt Lynette took to share Aidan’s story and create a crowdfunding campaign dubbed ‘Aidan needs surgery’ on 13 February.

“We urgently need to raise R100 000 for Aidan to have surgery on his face, because the surgery needs to be done by no later than 19 February, otherwise he will be left with permanent damage for the rest of his life,” Lynette wrote.

In timing that can only be described as miraculous, funds poured in in the thousands and the initial target was met!

Thanks to this mind-blowing display of community kindness, Aidan was able to receive surgery to address the fractures in his facial bones. Considering that his face was broken in five places, this marked a pivotal moment in his journey to recovery.

With follow-up scans, MRIs, and aftercare afoot, the Good Samaritan community is still rallying for Aidan. R119,000 has been raised toward the fundraising target of R160,000, and hopes are incredibly high that the young stunt biker will have his life back soon.

Aidan’s mother, Roeline, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating, “From the bottom of my heart, I just want to thank everyone for their generosity, love, and support, and most of all, for everyone’s prayers.” The funds raised have already made a significant impact, securing Aidan’s chance at a healthy, normal life.

You can help Aidan and his family conquer the rest of the target via BackaBuddy!

Sources: Supplied; Zane Groenewald

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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 Community Make Urgent Surgery Possible for Young Stunt Biker! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

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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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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A post shared by Rizah Potgieter (@prefix66)

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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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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Not only are the ‘Granny Grommets’ legends in the world of rookie wave catching, but they’re also playing their part to keep our beaches beautiful in a big way!

Buffalo City, South Africa (05 March 2024) — In the Eastern Cape, the Granny Grommets who frequent Nahoon Point Nature Reserve ‘Corner’ are legends in the world of rookie wave catching. Every Friday morning, the Granny Grommets—a community of women who are all over 50—unite to boogie (with their boards), catch waves, and ride the idea that being over 50 is by no means indicates its time to stop learning new things or making new friends (and having fun while you do).

 

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A post shared by Nahoon Granny Grommets (@nahoongrannygrommets)

Started by Lee-Ann Lavender and Julie Schroeter, the local ‘Grommets’ (which refers to being a newbie in surfing) are just as inspiring as their global counterparts. Yes, you can find Granny Grommets in other parts of the world, like Australia. But, whether they’re near or far, the ‘Grommet Movement’s ‘message of kicking stereotypes in the ass is spreading. And, it’s inspiring many people to make having fun a much bigger part of the sunset years. In fact, some Granny Grommets have even inspired children’s books in their honour, like ‘Granny Grommet and Me’ by Dianne Wolfer!

However, in exciting news for the local ladies and their larger Eastern Cape community, they are doing their part to help their favourite beaches get their blue flag status by adding beach clean-ups to their Friday Fun.

This, to support community clean-up volunteer organisation Tidy Towns Buffalo City, and inspire more people to do their part for the public spaces that make so much joy possible.  Not only this, but the Granny Grommets have decided to sponsor Tidy Towns Buffalo City volunteer, Phineas Chisanga who helps look after Nahoon Corner, per Green Ripple.

A fun-loving community spreading a fabulous message and change for the environment? We know exactly what group we’re signing up to when we hit 50!

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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In a heartwarming tale of kindness and community, Hester Hoffmann went above and beyond to make sure that a man, new to the streets, wouldn’t have to call them home for long:

Melville, South Africa (04 March 2024) — One Saturday morning, Hester Hoffmann noticed a man wandering around a parking area in Melville. At first, she didn’t think much of his wondering and assumed he was waiting for someone. But after spotting him looking somewhat displaced a few more times, she decided to approach him. At the time, she had no idea how important that decision to go up to him would be.

Hester discovered that his name was Chris Swartz, an electrician who had found himself calling the streets home for the past few days after he had “lost everything”, as she shared.

Chris had already been through a lot in those days; including being attacked. The kind security guard had helped him then, and now it was Hester’s turn.

Reaching out to the I Love Melville community group, Hester began sharing Chris’s plight and hopes for his larger community to help him get back on his feet again.

Hester’s biggest concern was getting Chris to shelter given his condition as a diabetic and a heart condition.

Determined, she met with Chris often, organised a meeting to get him into a shelter, and rallied the community to help however they could!

The only thing standing in the way of Chris’s stay at Ons Oord was the R1,500 minimum amount. To which Hester dealt with the matter like a champion:

“At that stage [of Chris’s meeting at the shelter] I went back in and gate crashed the meeting and said to the Dominee, “Listen, I can’t commit to a R1500 pm or sign a debit order, but I can tell you that I WILL find 20 people in Melville who will be prepared to give R75 each month. Please can you help him?”

Brilliantly, the Melville community (who have been on a roll of good news recently) came together to help pay for Chris’s stay at Ons Oord!

Thanks to their pledges, Chris was accepted into Ons Oord which led to many happy tears in Melville, especially from Hester.

With Chris safe and sound at a place where he can live and work with others so long as his minimum stay fee is looked after, he now faces a new trajectory of hope.

Their story reminds us of just how powerful paying attention to someone can be, and it’s that light that can guide them home.

Sources: Submission; Hester Hoffmann

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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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Down Syndrome superstar athlete Zora Wegerif was given the incredible opportunity to represent SA by competing at the 2024 Trisome Games. But, that’s not the best part of the story. In under two weeks, people rallied together to make sure that she would be able to pay her way there and secure her chance to make SA proud. Their effort, in turn, has already given SA so much to be proud of:

Global (04 March 2024) — Athletes across disciplines know the emotional rollercoaster that is being selected to participate in international competitions. On the one hand, you’re ecstatic to have been given the opportunity to represent the rainbow nation in a sport you’ve worked so hard to excel at. But on the other hand, the financial headaches that come with this kind of opportunity are enough to make most South Africans’ hearts sink. This was the initial case for Zora Wegerif and her family after Zora, a talented swimmer, was given the chance to represent South Africa at the upcoming Trisome Games—a big competition for Down Syndrome athletes.

If her name rings a bell, you might remember Zora as the very first person with Down Syndrome to complete the 94.7 Cycle Challenge! A determined athlete, she has worked hard to exercise her swimming talents both locally and internationally.

Even though competition-related financial obstacles cause immense stress for athletes across the spectrum, competitive opportunities for athletes with Down Syndrome pail in comparison to the chances that other athletes who aren’t differently abled have. When there is more representation and more support, the chances for more competitions starts to become less a matter of wishful thinking, and more one of possibility.

As many athletes and those who want to help them make their cometition dreams come true do, Zora’s parents Marc and Teresa Wegerif created a crowdfund campaign.

If you’ve ever made a crowdfunding campaign, you know that they can sit for months before gaining traction. Closing fundraising targets is its own kind of brilliant achievement.

That’s why Zora’s journey to the Trisome Games was an epic splash of good news! Created on 12 February, Zora’s campaign target was reached in record time— just under two weeks! Not only this, but the target was surpassed with the initial ask being R35,925 and the donations made to the tune of R37,988.04.

This means she will not only actually get to shine for SA at the Trisome Games (happening between 19-26 March), but she’ll do it knowing how many people already back her before she’s even dipped her toes into the Trisome’s pools.

Sources: BackaBuddy Impact Village 

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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 People Rally Together for Down Syndrome Athlete with a Dream appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A team of mainly female patrollers are putting the work in to restore a sense of safety in Melville!

Melville, South Africa (03 March 2024) — When strong and determined women come together, incredible things can happen. Just think of South Africa’s incredible Black Mambas all-female ranger squad! In a different way and place, women are making a difference with the goal of bringing a sense of safety to Melville in mind. Initially, volunteers, these Community Blue Patrollers are giving their time to the suburb in a way that Joburg can be so proud of.

As vetted Community Policing Forum Patrollers, the Community Blue Patrollers know that change comes from being willing to do something about the ills that plague people—like crime.

Their function is to be the eyes and ears of parts of Melville who will report any behaviour that isn’t very ‘I Love Melville’ or illegal to the authorities.

“Their primary goal is to serve as a visible deterrent in the 7th Street and 4th Ave business areas, ensuring the safety of both staff and visitors,” shared the Melville Security Initiative. 

“As the project expands, resources will be allocated to cover other critical areas, such as the main road and the Koppies project.” 

The brave women reportedly share great pride in being able to help change Melville’s narrative around safety and began their activities on 1 February.

According to the Initiative, plans to get the lady’s office resources have been underway, with them extending the invitation to the larger Melville community to help with everything from a microwave to sugar and mugs.

The Blue Patrollers are one of many ways Melville and its people are working to uplift their historic suburb; with other ways focusing on beautifying the Joburg gem.

Those who want to contribute donations to the Blue Patrollers or learn more can get in touch via brixtonsector1scf@gmail.com.

Sources: Melville Security Initiative

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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 helpers and heroes need helpers and heroes too. And in Benoni and Boksburg, that’s exactly where the Humanity Foundation plays an incredible role of kindness, from helping feeding schemes with food to organising handiwork for shelters and making the Benoekie (Benoni’s giant koekie) fundraiser a success!

Ekurhuleni, South Africa (29 February 2024) — Making the Ekurhuleni community’s burdens lighter one challenge at a time are a special group of people who are in the business of leaving people better than when they found them. For many organisations in Boksburg and Benoni, non-profit company the Humanity Foundation are the glove that soften the blow of life’s toughest curveballs—from paying for a plumber at a children’s home to providing food for feeding schemes.

The Humanity Foundation is the glue that sticks the hopes and dreams of many charities together by calling on their own network and getting to work to make these ambitions possible. In this way, they are the helpers to the helpers—a role they serve proudly!

Says founding member and Chairperson Pierre Marneweck:

“We are a community-based organisation that works with friendly hearts for every single individual or group of individuals in need, in and around the Ekurhuleni Community…we are not afraid of getting our hands dirty, getting down on our knees and raising funds, including awareness campaigns/drives and advocacy. We are willing to work for and with any individual or group to ensure that we make a lasting difference in the lives of others.” 

And a lasting impact is exactly what they’ve made already, which is pretty remarkable considering the Humanity Foundation’s story only really began in 2022.

Then, founding members decided it was time to start a community organisation that would put its energy into working with charities and NPOs who focus on:

• Gender-based Violence
• Early Childhood Development
• Child and Youth Care Centres
• Rehabilitation
• Community Safety and
• Community Health

“We help them so that they can help those they serve,” Pierre shares.

Some of the Humanity Foundation’s most imapctful moments in its young life have been making sure feeding schemes like Urban Ruins and Canaan Organisation have food to share (and that Canaan had the operational equipment neccessary to feed hungry tummies). And making birthday parties possible for the Matthew 25 Project. Not to mention, their involvement in helping the community when the Gas Tanker Explosion devastated a portion of Boksburg and Tambo Memorial Hospital—which is now an official Friend of the Humanity Foundation thanks to their help.

When it comes to individual impact, the Humanity Foundation takes a holistic approach seriously. As Pierre explains, “[We] will engage with individuals and try to establish the reason for them possibly being ‘down and out’, this could be because of spousal abuse, neglect, or addication. We try to get to the root cause, and then direct individuals to our partners,” he says of getting people to the centres and shelters that best fits them.

In 2024, the Humanity Foundation kicked off with a CANSAShavathon event where they engaged the community to get involved; raising R10 000 for CANSA. In a true reflection of their impact across all spheres, they are also working on a unique project called the Benoekie (Benoni Koekie), a huge cookie bake for important causes.The Humanity Foundation helped raise R7000 split amongst three charities—Clean Projects, Huis Charis and House Thandi.

In a nutshell, the Humanity Foundation are showing their community that there is a beautiful method to the madness of helping out wherever you can. And with enough friendly hearts taking the sentiment of helpers’ heroes seriously enough, we have a feeling there will be an abundance of more good news to share.

You can keep up with the Humanity Foundation here!

Sources: GTG Interview 

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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 Where Kindness Lives in Ekurhuleni: Meet the Humanity Foundation  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

After two hikers could not get down Platteklip Gorge, they spent the night up on the mountain with rescuers keeping a close eye on them. The next day, a big rescue effort unfolded, largely helped by students who stepped up to make it happen!

Table Mountain, South Africa (29 February 2024) — The Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) had a busy time earlier this week after two hikers found themselves unable to finish their Platteklip Gorge hike.

The pair called for help after 8 pm on Sunday evening; a WSAR team of 6 people headed up the mountain ready to get the injured hiker—a 53-year-old visitor from KwaZulu-Natal— back down to safety. However, with a persistent injury and vicious South-Easterly winds roaring, the team ended up not carrying the hiker down; opting instead to spend the evening with her and her nephew.

The following day after a long evening, a team of over 20 rescuers got to work in completing the rescue. They began the descent down Platteklip Gorge and, by the afternoon, reported good progress. But when it came to the final push, extra help came just in time.

Students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) stepped up to help the rescue along by carrying the nephew of the injured hiker, who was also in need of a little help from the friends he didn’t know he had. Despite having made good headway for almost 8 hours, he eventually could not continue and needed a rescue stretcher.

Largely thanks to the WSAR team, the injured aunt made it to the base ground safe and sound. And thanks to the Cape Peninsula University students, her nephew did, too!

Others who played an important role include the EMS medics, SANParks Table Mountain National Park and Law Enforcement officers!

Sources: Wilderness Search and Rescue

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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 people of the iconic Bo-Kaap are taking the spotlight to tell their stories to be part of an exciting project centred around Living Heritage!

Bo-Kaap, South Africa (28 February 2024) — Heritage. It’s something people around the world appreciate, fight about, fight for and showcase with pride. In South Africa, it makes up for some very important pieces of the big puzzle that is our country—each dose critical to the picture that connects us all. While some restrict heritage to where we have come from, others think of it more as a concept of momentum. This is where the idea of ‘Living Heritage’ is derived, and why the upcoming Storytelling Day is something worth knowing about.

Bo-Kaap is a lot more than a beautiful and bright kaleidoscopic slice of Cape Town. It’s a place where heritage, history and culture lit flames of curiosity and celebration.

In exciting news for Living Heritage movements is a project that will see Bo-Kaap get the chance to have their stories in the spotlight.

On 2 March, Storytelling Day will see locals share stories and experiences of Bo-Kaap in an effort to showcase Living Heritage. Local family businesses, activists, restaurants, leaders and legends will all get to share their side of Bo-Kaap on the day, while pre-interviewed participants (who have been in conversation with local youth facilitators) have also had their storytelling moments since January.

Couple the aforementioned with photos and video material, and the project begins to take a very exciting shape.

Not only will Storytelling Day be a buzz that further shares Bo-Kaap’s spark; the Living Heritage Project is also a segue on the road to more community-centric development in and around the area. Ideas of a multi-use community precinct is on the cards, as are other ideas for redevelopment.

Why does any of this matter? Because Living Heritage should honour past heritage whilst uplifting those who will carry its baton well into the future; and we think that’s an awesome thing.

Sources: City of Cape Town

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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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