Never Give Up Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/never-give-up/ Mon, 14 Oct 2024 18:13:54 +0000 en-ZA hourly 1 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-gtg_favicon-32x32.png Never Give Up Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/never-give-up/ 32 32 Bin to Beauty: From Down and Out to Blossoming Business https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/bin-to-beauty-from-down-and-out-to-blossoming-business/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/bin-to-beauty-from-down-and-out-to-blossoming-business/#respond Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:00:58 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=133540

Sometimes giving something ‘one last shot’ is the best shot you end up taking. For Bin to Beauty a wildcard of kindness, deciding it ain’t over ‘till it’s over’ and...

The post Bin to Beauty: From Down and Out to Blossoming Business appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

Sometimes giving something ‘one last shot’ is the best shot you end up taking. For Bin to Beauty a wildcard of kindness, deciding it ain’t over ‘till it’s over’ and determination have all turned things around for the small upcycling business, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (11 October 2024) — Ever felt down on your luck? Like you’ve got this great idea but just seem to be in the wrong place for it to really take off? Considered that your business might end up less of a dream and more of a memory? Kudakwashe Chigariro knows the feeling. In fact, just a few short months ago, she and her small upcycling business, Bin to Beauty, faced all of the above.

Things weren’t looking good for Kuda’s dream. In fact, at the end of July, she had to tell her team that it was time to close shop for good after 5 years of hard work.

It was a heartbreaking moment. Bin to Beauty was the bread and butter for the women part of the team. Together, they were all dedicated to upcycling recyclable materials into fabulous new products like purses, backpacks and accessories. It helped them help the environment and put food on the table. But at the time, it seemed like a breakthrough for the business was becoming impossible, and the business could no longer afford to keep going.

‘But upcycling is all the rage!’ You might protest. While it might be true that sustainable fashion (of which upcycling is a big part) has taken the world by storm, it’s also important to consider that when your resources are limited, so too can be your reach.

Despite coming to terms with the end of Bin to Beauty, life had other plans for Kuda and her team.

Dana Druion from the Rosebank Sunday Market learned of Kuda’s story and immediately knew she needed to get involved.

Dana gave Kuda her ‘last shot’ by offering her a free stall at one of Joburg’s top markets. Beyond this, Dana went above and beyond in trying to connect businesses that produce wrapper waste to Kuda.

When Good Things Guy shared the news of the relaunch, we were all at the edge of our seats.

As Kuda told us at the time, “We are just praying that we have been in the wrong place and praying that we are going to the right place.”

A few months later and the verdict was in: the tables had turned!

“We have been in the wrong place,” Kuda informed us. Those words alone were enough to make our team’s hearts sing.

Kuda added that her client base has expanded to other parts of South Africa thanks to people who learnt about her business through Good Things Guy, and further, that getting to operate at the market is “like a dream”.

While the journey continues for the little business that could, several lessons shine through for all of us: don’t count yourself out until the curtains have truly closed. Be ready to take help when it is given, and if you’re given a ‘last shot’, make it the best damn shot of them all.

Life can certainly feel like being inside a bin at time, but it can also very quickly turn to a thing of beauty.

You can support Bin to Beauty here, or at the Rosebank Market.


Sources: Email Submission
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 Bin to Beauty: From Down and Out to Blossoming Business appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/bin-to-beauty-from-down-and-out-to-blossoming-business/feed/ 0
Sentimental Stolen Violin Finally Reunited with Owner Over Two Years Later https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/sentimental-stolen-violin-finally-reunited-with-owner-over-two-years-later/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/sentimental-stolen-violin-finally-reunited-with-owner-over-two-years-later/#respond Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:00:41 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=132806

A violin stolen over two years ago has finally made its way back to its owner! An instrument of immense sentimental value, the violin was the last gift Petrus de...

The post Sentimental Stolen Violin Finally Reunited with Owner Over Two Years Later appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

A violin stolen over two years ago has finally made its way back to its owner! An instrument of immense sentimental value, the violin was the last gift Petrus de Beer received from his mother before she passed away.

 

Cape Town, South Africa (07 October 2024) — A violin has finally made its way home after over two years spent missing from its original owner, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s principal first violin, Petrus de Beer.

Stolen in July 2022 from the boot of Petrus’ car in Cape Town, the moment the violin was discovered to be gone, a gaping hole formed in the violinist’s heart.

Not simply a case of missing a musical instrument, this violin held immense sentimental value for Petrus. After all, it was the very last gift he had received from his mother before she passed away.

Despite a determined search for his beloved violin that took matters to both the police and the media, the violin would become a missing case for two more winters.

Unbeknownst to Petrus, the violin had embarked on a journey of its own. As the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra shares, the violin had ended up as an item for sale at a local flea market all those months ago, which is how it found its way to the people who’d eventually spur the reunion—Wally and Beatrice van Staden.

One day, as the pair was cleaning out their belongings in preparation for a move, the van Staden’s decided to Google the value of the violin. Unexpectedly, this took them down a rabbit hole that would eventually lead to Petrus!

Last month, on 8 September, Petrus got to relish in the moment that at one point seemed impossible—reuniting with his violin. In an extra sprinkle of serendipity, this reunion just so happened to be on the anniversary of his mother’s death 13 years before.

Immersed with the kind of joy that only a happy ending can fill one with, Petrus decided to pay the experience forward. He has since donated another violin of sentimental value (the violin that started his career) to the Youth Orchestra’s student Corban Beukes, a budding 16-year-old musician from Brackenfell who got to play his new violin for the first time over the weekend!


Sources: Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra 
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 Sentimental Stolen Violin Finally Reunited with Owner Over Two Years Later appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/sentimental-stolen-violin-finally-reunited-with-owner-over-two-years-later/feed/ 0
Letchen du Plessis Makes SA So Proud at the Adaptive CrossFit Games https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/letchen-du-plessis-makes-sa-so-proud-at-the-adaptive-crossfit-games/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/letchen-du-plessis-makes-sa-so-proud-at-the-adaptive-crossfit-games/#respond Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:30:30 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=131731

Letchen du Plessis hasn’t just earned gold at the Adaptive CrossFit Games. She’s overcome incredible adversity that included the loss of functioning in her leg, multiple surgeries, rehabilitation and most...

The post Letchen du Plessis Makes SA So Proud at the Adaptive CrossFit Games appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

Letchen du Plessis hasn’t just earned gold at the Adaptive CrossFit Games. She’s overcome incredible adversity that included the loss of functioning in her leg, multiple surgeries, rehabilitation and most importantly, resilience:

 

San Antonio, Texas (25 September 2024) — Over the weekend, Letchen du Plessis made South Africa enormously proud when she won gold in the ‘Moderate Neurological Impairment’ category at the Adaptive CrossFit Games—a challenge that tests both physical power and discipline but also gives the spotlight to champions who have shown how much resilience can achieve.

Here, Letchen shone for South Africa with the culmination of years of effort and a story that’ll remind you why never giving up matters.

What began as an injury on the netball court years ago would eventually reveal itself as the catalyst that changed Letchen’s life forever.

An avid netball and water polo player, Letchen decided to take netball on more professionally and was offered a scholarship to play the sport at North-West University. The young athlete was training hard and often. However, an injury that put her hip out at the end of practice became a much bigger problem a few weeks down the line, and it was eventually discovered during a procedure to heal what had been damaged that her bone was not receiving blood.

Letchen was told that she needed to make a big choice to either receive a hip replacement or undergo experimental surgery. Choosing the latter, one surgery became many after she found herself struggling to handle basic actions like putting on her socks. Under the surface, this was not just a byproduct of post-op recovery. In actuality, she was dealing with something much more serious—her left leg was no longer responding due to nerve trauma, and she was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome and dystonia.

In spite of her surgical successes, doctors were led to understand that the trauma of her hip dislocation and the surgeries could’ve provoked her leg to essentially be perceived as an enemy to her brain—meaning she had adverse reactions to basic sensations like water on her leg, plus a lack of responsiveness.

For someone who considered themselves an athlete for so much of their life, the shock of her new reality was heart-wrenching. But, the resilience her life in sport had taught her was still very much alive.

By 2019, she had received a spinal cord stimulator and understood herself as ‘semi-bionic’. CrossFit became an important part of her rehabilitation and, soon, her passion.

It wasn’t long until the long and gruelling road to learning how to live with her ‘new’ leg inspired her to compete in the 2021 CrossFit Games, where she absolutely killed it despite some hiccups.

“Letchen faced daunting challenges that many might have found insurmountable,” says Motley Crew CrossFit coach Jason Solomon, who has trained her. “However, with her characteristic grit, she refused to let her condition define her future.”

Of the 2021 NOBULL Cross Fit Games, Jason shares that it was monumental for the athlete.

“That first day [of the Games] tested her in ways she hadn’t expected—told to run three miles, something her body wasn’t physically prepared for, she made the decision to hop and skip her way through the entire course,” he explains. It was there that footage captured her struggle; footage that inspired Fraser Allen and Sean Adams to help develop a unique brace just for her.

This custom brace enabled her to engage muscles she had not been able to use in years.

“For the first time in a long while, she could run without crutches—an emotional milestone that set her on the path to success in her sport,” Jason shares.

By 2022, Letchen was competing powerfully at the 2022 CrossFit Games. And to see this followed with the 2024 success was not just a win for her and all who have supported her, but the entire country and all the people who have been told before that they’d reached the end of the road.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Letchen du Plessis (@letchen_dp)

For Letchen, it’s all about focusing on what you can control instead of obsessing over what you can’t. She’s gone on not only to solidify her place as a CrossFit champion but has tackled other athletic endeavours like the formidable Robben Island Crossing.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Letchen du Plessis (@letchen_dp)

Adds an immensely proud Jason:

“Letchen has shown the world that, despite challenges, anything is possible with the right mindset. As she says ‘it’s not your disability stopping you but your mind most of the time.’

“Today, Letchen du Plessis is more than just an athlete—she’s a symbol of hope, determination, and the power of the human spirit. Whether she’s lifting in the gym, running through a CrossFit course, or inspiring the next generation of athletes, one this is certain: her story is far from over.”


Sources: Email Submission; CrossFit Games 
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 Letchen du Plessis Makes SA So Proud at the Adaptive CrossFit Games appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/letchen-du-plessis-makes-sa-so-proud-at-the-adaptive-crossfit-games/feed/ 0
Former Car Guard Dr Kapya Celebrates His PhD Graduation! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/former-car-guard-dr-kapya-celebrates-his-phd-graduation/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/former-car-guard-dr-kapya-celebrates-his-phd-graduation/#respond Wed, 18 Sep 2024 15:30:43 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=131392

Pretoria’s most inspiring former car guard, Dr Kapya, recently celebrated his PhD graduation ceremony, where he stood proudly as a Doctor of Industrial Engineering and proof that the odds can...

The post Former Car Guard Dr Kapya Celebrates His PhD Graduation! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

Pretoria’s most inspiring former car guard, Dr Kapya, recently celebrated his PhD graduation ceremony, where he stood proudly as a Doctor of Industrial Engineering and proof that the odds can and should be defied:

 

Pretoria, South Africa (18 September 2024) — Dr Tshinangi Fabrice Kapya has come a very long way from his days working as a car guard. How much his life has changed, beamed in full clarity at the University of Pretoria’s recent graduation ceremony. Here, Dr Kapya, a PhD graduate and Doctor of Industrial Engineering, positively shone not just as an outstanding student but as someone who defied the odds and won.

For Dr Kapya, none of it would’ve been possible if it wasn’t for the encouragement he received from friends.

“I was working as a car park attendant at Wonderpark Mall in Pretoria,” Dr Kapya recalls.

“Despite the repetitive nature of my work, I discovered an unexpected source of comfort: books. Whenever I had a free moment, I devoted it to reading… my former colleagues would often catch me reading. They’d say with a mix of playfulness and sincerely: ‘Fabrice, you don’t belong here, you should go back to school.”

This was the spark that would change everything. Dr Kapya first received a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Likasi. But, with a friend’s encouragement on his side, he decided to apply to the University of Pretoria where he’d go on to be accepted for an honours degree programme—all while working as a car guard in 2019.

By 2021, he was accepted into the masters programme, and was even offered a position as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering!

Ambitious as ever, Dr Kapya already enrolled for his PhD before even touching the master’s graduation stage.

But, being a car guard didn’t just help him earn an income at the time. In fact, his time guarding cars actually helped map out the foundations for his research.

“While I was working at Wonderpark, I frequently observed trucks from various logistics companies delivering a ride range of products. These trucks usually followed strict schedules, ensuring that goods reached their destinations on time.

“However, when COVID-19 struck, I noticed a significant shift in consumer behaviour and the way certain products were being consumed. This shift got me thinking about the processes involved in the production of certain goods.”

Dr Kapya’s research ended up becoming focused on developing mathematic models for managing production systems for perishable goods; addressing challenges like changing production rates and demand influenced by stock.

The road to this recent graduation was long and winding. But, Dr Kapya hopes his story will inspire others to follower their dreams feverishly.

“Every morning before leaving the house, I had to remind myself that it would get better with time, that each day was an opportunity to conquer, to fight for a better future. I learnt to keep a strong face, to go to war with my depression, and to cling to my faith even when it felt like a thin thread.”—Dr Kapya. 

He further thanked the University for making him feel a part of something bigger and his classmates for being champions behind his dreams—from including him in study groups to covering his transport and paying his rent when he needed help.


Sources: University of Pretoria—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 Former Car Guard Dr Kapya Celebrates His PhD Graduation! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/former-car-guard-dr-kapya-celebrates-his-phd-graduation/feed/ 0
Biko’s Manna Embraced in Support Following End of AGT Chapter  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/bikos-manna-embraced-in-support-following-end-of-agt-chapter/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/bikos-manna-embraced-in-support-following-end-of-agt-chapter/#respond Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:30:31 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=129457

Sibling trio Biko’s Manna made South Africa so proud when they made it to the live show of America’s Got Talent! Despite not making it to the next AGT chapter,...

The post Biko’s Manna Embraced in Support Following End of AGT Chapter  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

Sibling trio Biko’s Manna made South Africa so proud when they made it to the live show of America’s Got Talent! Despite not making it to the next AGT chapter, they have been embraced with nothing but support from people across the world:

 

Global (26 August 2024) — At very young ages, the Biko’s Manna trio and siblings Biko, Manna and little Mfundo have already achieved remarkable heights in their musical careers. The kids from Johannesburg are only 16, 13 and 8, respectively, but can already say that they made it to the live show performances of America’s Got Talent—the impressive peak that comes before the semi-finals.

The AGT chapter was a dream come true for the siblings who have continuously aimed and achieved dream after dream since they began sharing their gifts of song and infectious energy online.

However, it was also a dream chapter that came to an end despite a very strong performance from the group.

In spite of the AGT chapter closing, South Africans and other fans from all over the world have wasted no time in embracing the twinkling talents in support following the disappointment.

In a singing-filled video, the three channelled their emotions into harmonies, sharing the message, “Hold on, my friend, we will succeed; hear it from me. This is a gift we’ve been blessed with. We’re returning with newfound strength.”

Second to the beauty of their rendition of ‘Imithandazo’ originally by Kabza De Small and Mthunzi were the multitude of comments sharing paragraphs of love, kindness and even advice:

“Ya’ll were a HUGE success before you ever stepped foot on the stage of AGT,” wrote one user.

“Your talent is beyond the AGT show! You are meant for greater things,” another shared.

One fan beamed, “You were all amazing. Just because one door closes, another one will soon open. Keep pursuing your dreams!”

Another shared, “You are more than winners to me. Keep sharing your gifts, stay true and many more blessings will come to you!”

Another user wrote, “People know who you are!! Your time is coming! Continue to shine bright like a diamond!”

While another promised, “The best is yet to come!”

“You will make it without AGT. Talent will always win,” concluded yet another fan.

The comment sections have positively boiled over with love, support, and admiration in a powerful reminder that South Africans (and those supporting South African dreams) don’t only unite over the victories but also over the hurdles. In a world where it only takes seconds for a comment section to become fledged by negativity, seeing this kind of unity is as hopeful for all of us as it is for Biko’s Manna.


Sources: Biko’s Manna 
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 Biko’s Manna Embraced in Support Following End of AGT Chapter  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/bikos-manna-embraced-in-support-following-end-of-agt-chapter/feed/ 0
Fourways Community Efforts Help Give Amos His Second Chance! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/fourways-community-efforts-help-give-amos-his-second-chance/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/fourways-community-efforts-help-give-amos-his-second-chance/#respond Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:00:08 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=129413

After a lifetime underpinned by odd jobs and making a plan to survive, an opportunity to do some good for the Fourways community came by and changed Amos’ life. After...

The post Fourways Community Efforts Help Give Amos His Second Chance! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

After a lifetime underpinned by odd jobs and making a plan to survive, an opportunity to do some good for the Fourways community came by and changed Amos’ life. After he volunteered to be a part of a clean-up effort, he was offered his first permanent job!

 

Fourways, South Africa (26 August 2024) — In Fourways, community efforts to better and maintain a part of the area led to a life-changing second chance for 37-year-old Amos; a fantastic example of how one stream of good community intentions can flow to a new direction of even more good for one individual.

37-year-old Amos had always found a way to survive despite life’s hardship. With limited education, Amos understands more than most what it means to ‘make a plan’. Finding occasional work as a gardener or painter, Amos certainly struggled, but always got by. That was until the pandemic hit and these opportunities disappeared.

Amos was forced to return to his childhood home in Giyani. As Nicola Killops, who told his hardship to hope story on Better Fourways writes:

“Amos lived with distant relatives with no work and no money, but the overwhelming challenges they all faced meant he had to fend for himself. Determined to find a way out, Amos returned to Fourways, seeking shelter with a cousin in Cosmo City while searching for work.”

Better Fourways, a community-driven initiative that works hard to revitalise and maintain Fourways had begun clean-up efforts in Amos’ area. With each blade of grass cut, piece of litter removed, and vegetation management project they undertake, they help bring a sense of pride to Fourways. And for Amos, the opportunity to change his life.

Seeing their efforts, Amos decided he wanted to be a part of the difference they were making, hoping this might be something he could be a part of long after the short-term project.

“When I saw what they were doing and the difference they were making, I volunteered to help them,” he shares.

Amos threw himself into the tasks for two weeks; inspiring the team and the business working alongside them with his work ethic and determination.

In an incredible turn for Amos, Nick Dunn, the owner of Lawn Care Plus who facilitated the clean-up decided to offer Amos a full-time job. This would mean the first time Amos would ever not have to worry about where his next job was coming from; a weight off his shoulders greater than most can fathom.

“His dedication and hard work stood out so much that we offered him full-time employment. Now fully equipped, he’ll work with us five days a week, and we’re thrilled to have him on board,” shares Nick.

“My dream was about survival,” Amos says. “I am now 37 years old and only got this permanent job. It’s too early to set goals as I have had plenty of challenges and still cannot believe this happened to me. I want to save the money first that I am earning before deciding what to do.”

As Nicola reflects:

“Amos’ story is not just about one man’s journey; it’s about the power of community, the importance of giving back, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance.”

Amos got the job on 1 August where he stands tall as a beacon of hope for others who were once in his shoes.


Sources: Nicola Killops – Email Submission 
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 Fourways Community Efforts Help Give Amos His Second Chance! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/fourways-community-efforts-help-give-amos-his-second-chance/feed/ 0
Eddie the Car Guard Pens a Book; Inspires Durban https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/eddie-the-car-guard-pens-a-book-inspires-durban/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/eddie-the-car-guard-pens-a-book-inspires-durban/#respond Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:00:42 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=128780

In Durban, Eddie, the car guard, is known for his warmth and friendliness. But now, he’s also become known as an inspiration after penning his own book.   Durban, South...

The post Eddie the Car Guard Pens a Book; Inspires Durban appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

In Durban, Eddie, the car guard, is known for his warmth and friendliness. But now, he’s also become known as an inspiration after penning his own book.

 

Durban, South Africa (16 August 2024) — For many Durbanites, thoughts about Eddie the car guard (Eddie Ba/Papadit Bassia) recall memories of warmth, friendliness and hugs. But now, Eddie is also known for something else—writing his very own book, much to the pride and inspiration of his community.

Hailing from the Congo, Eddie is said to have become a friend to Durban as Riverside complex’s favourite car guard. As such, many have wanted to see Eddie achieve his dreams—which is exactly why one such friend, Nick Mavian, took to share the epic news that Eddie wrote a book of his own: ‘Parenting Through Love: Embracing Parenthood with Resilience’.

“The insane thing about Eddie is that he is also a graduate of UNISA with a degree in economics who supports his family,” shares Nick.

Eddie’s also graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2023.

“He found the time to study, pursue his dreams, look after his family and write a book that he has just published and self-funded. All the while being a car guard.”

“Eddie is a huge inspiration to me and has inspired me to stop finding excuses for the things I want to do,” he adds.

South Africans everywhere have been immensely inspired by Eddie’s journey and soon began spreading the word of his book.

Some have already shared that they’ve read the book and deem it a fantastic read.

Those keen to support Eddie can do so by heading to the pharmacy at the Brownsdrift complex to purchase his book for just R150.

And, for those who want to do some good for him beyond giving the book a read, Eddie’s hours as a car guard have recently been reduced due to ‘new management’ as Nick explains (and assures Eddie holds no grudges about this). As such, if anyone has a job opening they know of that might suit Eddie, they are encouraged to get in touch with Nick or chat to Eddie.

All in all, Eddie’s achievement stands proudly as a triumph against the odds. As Nick puts it perfectly:

“If Eddie can get up everyday and study and write a book and get a degree and live with positivity and have faith and trust in God and humanity then maybe I should try to follow his example.”


Sources: Nick Mavian 
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 Eddie the Car Guard Pens a Book; Inspires Durban appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/eddie-the-car-guard-pens-a-book-inspires-durban/feed/ 0
South African Student Quietly Makes History! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/south-african-student-quietly-makes-history/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/south-african-student-quietly-makes-history/#respond Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:00:42 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=128605

A South African student, Stephanie Pringle, who is Autistic, has quietly made history after she became the first in the world to pass her Cambridge exams with a letterboard! This...

The post South African Student Quietly Makes History! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

A South African student, Stephanie Pringle, who is Autistic, has quietly made history after she became the first in the world to pass her Cambridge exams with a letterboard! This is her beyond-inspiring story:

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (15 August 2024) — South African student Stephanie Pringle quietly made history earlier this year. As a non-speaking autistic student, Stephanie used a letterboard to write her Cambridge exams for Extended Mathematics and Business Studies—making her the first non-speaking autistic student in the whole world to do so!

“Stephanie’s story is a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when we embrace neurodiversity and give everyone the tools they need to succeed. It’s one of those feel-good stories that makes you want to cheer for her and the progress we’re making in inclusive education,” shares Nicola Killops who put Stephanie’s achievement on Good Things Guy’s radar and is a mother of a young adult with high-functioning autism and dyslexia herself.

Stephanie (19) was diagnosed with a developmental delay just before she turned two years old and with Autism at four.

“Steph was stuck, repeating Grade 1 and 2 work for about eight years with no reliable means of communication,” shares her mom, Zelda.“She was often frustrated and upset because she couldn’t express herself or prove her understanding, leading to frequent tantrums.”

Stephanie also has apraxia, which makes it difficult for her to perform tasks on command, no matter how willing she is to do them. This contributes to her non-verbalism and prevents her from writing reliably.

However, this is where clever tools like the letterboard come in as an essential resource part of the broader spectrum of augmentative and alternative communication tools that help overcome communication barriers. For Stephanie, it wasn’t just a tool to communicate; it was the beginning of unlocking her true potential.

“Once she could express herself using the letterboard, the problematic behaviour, anger and tantrums nearly vanished,” Zelda says, recalling how everything changed for the best.

At its core purpose, the letterboard can help non-speakers to express themselves simply by pointing to letters and synchronising cognitive and motor skills. But as Stephanie has shown, it can help with personal growth and other barrier breakers that many Autistic people face.

With the help of trained facilitators, students are trained to work with the letter board and communicate effectively while regulating their bodies—a big win to combat experiences like overstimulation and meltdowns.

After connecting with her letterboard, Stephanie progressed rapidly—jumping from Grade 2 to Grade 7 maths during lockdown. Now that she was finally able to communicate in a way others could understand, she shared something remarkable—she had already taught herself how to read at 4-years-old.

Free to share her thoughts about the world and tackle her education in a new way, when school opened after lockdown and Stephanie came back with a bang, having long outgrown the curriculum of her previous studies. When asked which grade she was ready to join, she proudly placed a winning bet on matric.

Using a letterboard to pass her examinations was no small feat, but it’s one that’s made her school, family, the Autism community and South Africa immensely proud.

Jacqui McKelvey, EDU360’s principal and co-founder (Stephanie’s specialist school) explains the process to getting her student through the goalposts:

“We consulted with [the British Council’s team] to secure the concessions Steph needed, including a Regulation and Communication Partner, a Scribe and Reader, a separate venue, additional time, and an individual invigilator to oversee the process…together we ensured that everything was in place for Steph to do her best, right up to the moment she arrived to begin her exams.”

The rest, of course, is history.

“It’s crucial to understand that just because someone can’t speak, it doesn’t mean they don’t understand or have something valuable to say,” Stephanie says.


Sources: Email Submission; Nicola Killops 
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 Student Quietly Makes History! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/south-african-student-quietly-makes-history/feed/ 0
From a Coma to the Comrades: Skye’s Story Can’t Help but Inspire https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/from-a-coma-to-the-comrades-skyes-story-cant-help-but-inspire/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/from-a-coma-to-the-comrades-skyes-story-cant-help-but-inspire/#respond Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:33:58 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=127298

A tragic accident. Emergency surgery. Less than-ideal chances of survival and a coma couldn’t stop Skye Da Silva. This year, she completed the Comrades and won a medal of heart...

The post From a Coma to the Comrades: Skye’s Story Can’t Help but Inspire appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

A tragic accident. Emergency surgery. Less than-ideal chances of survival and a coma couldn’t stop Skye Da Silva. This year, she completed the Comrades and won a medal of heart only few can say they’ve earned—triumph over adversity. This is Skye’s story:

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (29 July 2024) — A fateful December day in 2022 saw Skye Da Silva face the biggest challenge of her life. What began as a long weekend of mountain biking in Bela Bela with friends turned into a small fall with great consequences and a massive shift in the trajectory of Skye’s story forever. A trajectory that would lead her to understand just how powerful her mind is, how strong her heart is, and how invincible anyone is when they accept that they are not a product of their environment.

Skye had fallen on a gravel road after 2 hours of riding. However, there were two support vehicles trailing behind and one which did not see Skye’s fall; consequentially riding over her.

Even when retelling that moment, Skye does so with a glance at the silver lining.

Skye before her accident

“Luckily my bike took most of the blow,” she recalls. But the blow she did take crushed her face, upper trachea, shoulders and ribs.

Flown by helicopter to Milpark Hospital, Skye’s prognosis of survival wasn’t looking good. After emergency surgery, where 40 plates and 60 bolts were placed to reconstruct her face, her jaw was wired, and a first-of-its-kind surgery was done on the 5cm tear in her throat; she would lie in a coma for three weeks.

Skye's

“23 kgs lighter, I woke up to a loving family and group of friends,” she tells Good Things Guy.

Once again, spotlighting the silver lining of what most would deem the darkest cloud of an experience; sharing how much her loved ones supported her by making her smoothies, visiting on rotation and even helping her get her hair and nails done.

Weaker than ever and just a coin’s throw from death’s door, Skye did something incredible—she chose not to let any of what had happened define her. With the knowledge that she’d still be able to walk (despite needing to relearn everything from taking steps to blinking), it would only be a mere 17 months until she proved her mental tenacity and unwavering spirit and competed in the Comrades she’d signed up for that year!

“I still remember the moment I decided not to identify as injured or sick, and decided to fight to get out of the hospital.

“I had been awake for 3 days and needed to see one of the surgeons. I was wheel chaired to his offices just outside the hospital and it was the first time I felt the sun on my skin. It was the most incredible feeling (as in the coma I was sooooo cold). I burst out crying thinking how brilliant it was to be awake, to be alive. And from that moment, you couldn’t stop me.”

Skye adds that it was also her father, Joe, who inspired her to rally for the race (and for life) once more with his words, “You cannot let the bad things that happen to you define the way you live the rest of your life.”

“A rare photo of my dad Joe (he hated photos), doing what we loved the most, sitting together and talking about life, sharing a beer and laughing. During recovery, he was always by my side.”

For his influence in her mental and physical recovery, Skye couldn’t be more grateful.

“It was him who got me moving—and didn’t let me stop moving—when I got back home. He would walk with me slowly, patiently up and down the road when I couldn’t even do 1km at a time. He kept pushing me to do more and more each day.

“And when I saw my Coach again a few weeks later, I said, ‘Will you train me for Comrades 2024?’ To his credit, he didn’t skip a beat saying, ‘He wouldn’t have it any other way’!”

Skye's
“Three months since the day I left hospital. This photo was used in the doctors presentation to the hospital, to show what they thought would be a death case, being a ‘good thing’ story”

But there would be an immense amount of mental and physical work to do beyond the can-do spirit.

Considering that in January 2023, Skye was so weak drinking water was a challenge, the physical effort she underwent was beyond what most of us can comprehend. Then there’s the mentality aspect to Skye’s story—the most important.

“With me it’s all mental. I have no running talent and my job keeps me busy…but for me, it’s always that small little sentence that when it gets dark, I know where to find some light: ‘don’t let the bad, but [rather] the good things define you!”

Armed with a mind focused on what was possible, Skye’s slow walking up the driveway eventually became walking further. Then, running only a few months later, albeit slowly. By October, Skye’s recovery had gone so well that she re-entered the Cape Town marathon to qualify for the Comrades.

However, life dealt her another blow—the heart-wrenching news that her hero, her dad, had passed away.

“If you know me—this moment was my biggest fear. My father and I were inseparable, called each other 4 times a day, drank beers together, spoke about everything important and unimportant—I could not imagine a world without him! It was then that I thought yet another Comrades entry was going to go unused—I had no will to train. I was busy making sure my mom and sister were okay!”

But, her coach, squad and friends encouraged her to keep striving for the Comrades, largely in honour of Skye’s dad. And so she trained—on the days she didn’t even want to get out of bed, on the days she felt unmotivated and the days where even moving seemed like an impossible task.

“People drive to another town to run with me to do my qualifying marathon! Team mates would come second me on my long 60km runs! And it was on the Two Oceans Ultramarathon where I was struggling at the halfway mark, and I whispered, Dad stay close—and all of a sudden his favourite song boomed out of the loud speaker—A Bad Moon Rising!”

After all that and the completion of the Two Oceans, she knew the Ultimate Human Race had to be next—an Ultimate Human Race like no other in the truest sense of the phrase.

“The day before comrades, on a squad ‘leg loosener’ run on the Durban promenade”

When it was time to face the Comrades, Skye remembers the day being “intensely beautiful”.

With no time goal and two close friends at her side, the Comrades unfolded gorgeously like the end of a chapter.

“It was the journey to the Comrades that was the toughest—not the day itself,” Skye reflects.

“We had the most magical time winding the streets together and my best friend Storme saw that if we pushed it at the end, we could get a sub-11 hour race! A BRONZE MEDAL! So we sprinted the last 5kms.”

Skye finished the race in under 11 hours!

“Stumbling over the finish line overwhelmed with emotions”

From her dad to her friends, running squad, mom and sister (her biggest cheerleaders), Skye marvels at how her accomplishment on her own feet was actually the product of so many others. So many hearts. So many rooted in her support.

“Crossing that finish line, is an amazing feeling. It had taken everything I had, everything a team of people had around me and a dad looking down on me to cross it! To sum up, while running is an individual sport, I would say crossing the finish line at Comrades is such a team effort and team win.”

Skye’s race to the Comrades and through it, is a real life telling of the capacity the human spirit has to push forward. To overcome. To stand in the face of adversity and put it in its place.

Her story reminds us the sheer power that comes from planting the right mental seeds, watering them with enough support from others and above all else, deciding that we will bloom even when everything is telling us we shouldn’t.

As the hero of this story says so beautifully in addressing anyone facing the unimaginable:

“You are stronger than you think. The world is brighter than you think. And always look at the good things in life to keep you going… Don’t be a product of your environment. Make your environment a product of you.”—Skye Da Silva.


Sources: GTG Interview 
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 From a Coma to the Comrades: Skye’s Story Can’t Help but Inspire appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/from-a-coma-to-the-comrades-skyes-story-cant-help-but-inspire/feed/ 0
Durbanville Drummies Win National Championships! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/durbanville-drummies-win-national-championships/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/durbanville-drummies-win-national-championships/#respond Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:12:59 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=126675

The Durbanville Junior Majorettes (Durbanville Drummies) may not have had an easy march to Nationals, but together they defied the odds and even went on to win the championship!  ...

The post Durbanville Drummies Win National Championships! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>

The Durbanville Junior Majorettes (Durbanville Drummies) may not have had an easy march to Nationals, but together they defied the odds and even went on to win the championship!

 

South Africa (18 July 2024) — The Durbanville Junior Majorettes (AKA the Durbanville Drummies) defied the odds in more ways than one to claim their crowns as the National Champions of 2024 for Small and Large Drill.

This marked the first time that the Durbanville Junior Majorettes have won the National Championships of the Federation of Dance Drill, Cheerleading and Majorette Sport South Africa as Tygerburger reports—a title they fought long and hard to claim.

For proud mom and Club Secretary Janien Ryk, the win was about far more than just beating out the competition; shining as a victory for the value of sisterhood, friendship and supporting each other even when the chips seemed down.

“Drummies is an extremely underfunded sport,” Janien tells Good Things Guy, adding that the majority of the funding comes from the girls’ parents—many of whom face the tough task of making a plan beyond their financial means.

“These young ladies come from all walks of life and most parents do not have the means to financially support their daughters, but also do not want their daughters to give up this sport.” 

For many young girls, it’s a space where they can grow, learn to persevere beyond their circumstances and access a special sense of belonging.

“Through drummies these girls learn respect, integrity, love for each other and themselves and how to share and be supportive of each other,” Janien says.

But despite all the sports’ merit, the journey leading to the 2024 Nationals (which took place over the June/July holidays) was far from a smooth march for the Durbanville Drummies.

Sponsorship support was limited, and only spare change had been raised on the squad’s BackaBuddy campaign as Janien shares. However, the saying “where there’s a will there’s a way” is cliché for a reason as it is so often true.

“[The limited support] was quite disheartening, but nevertheless, the girls made it to Nationals and the FREKKING WON,” Janien beams. 

Now that the girls have proven their talents and tenacity, Janien and the other proud are hoping to drum up more support so that the girls won’t have to march in the same uniform for the next five years and won’t have to stress about not being able to make a competition due to the many costs that come with the territory.

The team have a crowdfunding campaign running and hope that their community beyond the Northern Suburbs will lend their support to this beloved sport.


Sources: Website Submission 
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 Durbanville Drummies Win National Championships! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

]]>
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/durbanville-drummies-win-national-championships/feed/ 0