Opportunities Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/opportunities/ Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:06:14 +0000 en-ZA hourly 1 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-gtg_favicon-32x32.png Opportunities Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/opportunities/ 32 32 Barbie Dream Gap Project Empowers Young Women in STEM! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/barbie-dream-gap-project-empowers-young-women-in-stem/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/barbie-dream-gap-project-empowers-young-women-in-stem/#respond Mon, 21 Oct 2024 06:00:33 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=134251

Two young women are getting to step into the world of STEM thanks to the Barbie Dream Gap Project that’s making more dreams possible! Johannesburg, South Africa (21 October 2024)—...

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Two young women are getting to step into the world of STEM thanks to the Barbie Dream Gap Project that’s making more dreams possible!


Johannesburg, South Africa (21 October 2024)— In celebration of International Day of the Girl Child, which was observed on 11 October, Barbie teamed up with the TechnoGirl Trust to empower two girls from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them with a job shadowing, dream-building and skills development opportunity!

Focused on advancing the opportunities of girls around the world, this feat of good news is part of the Barbie Dream Gap Project in South Africa—a project that’s helping close the gender gap earlier on in life.

Since its inception in 2018, the Barbie Dream Gap Project has been dedicated to providing equal opportunities. To do this, more barriers for young girls need to be removed; a process that requires education, confidence-building leadership skills and mentorship opportunities.

The TechnoGirl Trust is a non-profit committed to advancing the educational and career prospects of underprivileged girls in South Africa. They have seen 26,172 girls go through their structured programme, with around 75% of participants, on average, advancing to register careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)!

Why STEM?

It’s no secret that fields like STEM have always been male-dominated. But, in a world that continues to reveal itself to be intertwined with technology, this stigma is one that needs to be shattered so that young women, especially those from underserved areas, are not left behind.

A lot of the hesitation for this kind of career path comes from the industry’s patriarchal reputation. That’s why it’s essential that young girls see themselves represented in these fields and further that they are provided with real-world opportunities and positive role models along the path.

Starting in Grade 9, two young teens will gain hands-on experience from professionals at IMCD offices for one week during each of their school holidays. The programme enables the girls to gain awareness about various careers, find the STEM career that they might like to go into and develop professional and life skills—all set out as part of a dream plan developed by the TechnoGirl Trust and approved by the Department of Education.

“The work readiness part of the programme was the most impactful for me, as I learnt soft skills like how to articulate myself in a work environment,” shares Felicity Dube who has gone through and benefitted from the TechnoGirl Programme herself.

“I think Barbie is committed to giving girls the resources they need, and support to believe that they can be anything. I encourage girls to keep dreaming and, make sure that they chase their dreams, asking for help when they need it,” she concludes.


Sources: Supplied 
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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.

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After School Programmes Prove to be a Lifeline for Youth in Tough Job Market https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/after-school-programmes-prove-to-be-a-lifeline-for-youth-in-tough-job-market/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/after-school-programmes-prove-to-be-a-lifeline-for-youth-in-tough-job-market/#respond Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:00:49 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=133921

In an ever-changing, tough job market, ‘After School Programmes’ across the country are holding down the fort to help young South Africans level the playing field and access opportunities!  ...

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In an ever-changing, tough job market, ‘After School Programmes’ across the country are holding down the fort to help young South Africans level the playing field and access opportunities!

 

South Africa (16 October 2024) — The pressure of matric finals’ is weighted enough as it is. But it’s also one of many other pressures young South Africans face today. At the top of the pressure list is the big question: ‘What happens next?’ To which an infamously tough job market in our country stares back, often blankly.

Inflation, a recovering post-Covid market, technological advances replacing traditional jobs and a multitude of other reasons have all contributed to the bleakness of the job market for young people.

And the evidence is in the stats and social landscape of our country. South Africa has a ridiculously high unemployment rate of 32.9%. An under-resourced school system that doesn’t focus enough on bridging educational gaps that are often very wide due to underprivileged circumstances and, of course, the disproportional spread of opportunities.

But in the midst of the bleak picture is a light with huge potential to expand. That light lies in After-School Programmes (ASP) that are emerging as something of a hopeline for thousands of South Africa’s most vulnerable youth; providing them with imperative upskilling measures!

This year, the fifth annual Lights On After School campaign was launched; a campaign that’s about sharing and showcasing what ASPs are capable of. Led by non-profit The Learning Trust in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport Youth Office, ASPs are proving to be a source of empowerment in the face of the tough job market; all while equipping future generations with resources to become adults they are proud of.

Here’s How ASPs Help

Critical Intervention

“ASPs act as critical interventions that can safeguard South Africa’s youth against significant barriers to economic participation. These programmes are stepping in to equip learners with digital literacy, technical skills and critical soft skills like problem-solving and emotional intelligence to thrive in a future workforce,” explains Charlene Petersen Voss, the Executive Director at the Learning Trust.

A Bridge for New Opportunities

While ASPs can be a bridge for educational gaps, they also act as a path for future opportunities largely through mentorship.

“The ASP sector is essential in levelling the playing field by providing access to mentorship, job shadowing, and other opportunities that are typically out of reach for marginalised youth,” Charlene says. 

For Sophumelela Ketelo, the Chairperson of the Sophumelela Youth Development Programme, an ASP in the Eastern Cape, it’s a matter of meeting young people where they’re at and bridging off from that place.

Sophumelela says that he doesn’t blame the youth for being underprepared for the ever-changing job market.

“We often expect learners to be ready for the workplace while treating them like children, which delays their growth and readiness. In some cases, everything is done for them, making it difficult for them to appreciate the efforts of those supporting them. After school prgroammes are essential in adressing this gap, offering more than just academic support. They help build the confidence, literacy and life skills that learners need to succeed in an ever-changing world,” he says.

Guiding the Youth

ASP’s roles are heavily to do with guiding young people, especially those who cannot afford tertiary education, as Louise Retief, Programme Manager for the Rogz Academy shares. Rogz, who focus on Youth Development largely through its YearBeyond Programme in partnership with the Boost Africa Foundation, have been a part of helping guide many young people toward new avenues of hope.

The YearBeyond Programme helps Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) members of the youth with over 3500 opportunities annually.  The youth are then able to support over 60,000 learners across the Eastern and Western Cape.

Expanding Access

Further opportunities for youth are created by The Learning Trust’s Catch-up Coalition, which forms part of the Social Employment Fund (SEF). Funded by the Public Employment Stimulus (PES) through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the SEF addresses both unemployment and education at the same time by employing young people in roles that directly enhance educational outcomes.

Through partnerships with over 50 community-based organisations, SEF has helped create more than 10,000 paid work opportunities, benefiting over 180,000 children and youth!

“In the last year of SEF, we have seen 52% of youth exiting to permanent employment, with 44% pursuing further studies,” says Petersen Voss.

“We continue to advocate for government funding for initiatives like the Social Employment Fund and National Youth Service, which not only creates job opportunities and workplace experience for young people but also addresses our education crisis.”

You can find out more about The Learning Trust here.


Sources: Supplied; The Learning Trust
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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.

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Become a Puppy Raiser and Train a Hero with a Tail https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/become-a-puppy-raiser-and-train-a-hero-with-a-tail/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/become-a-puppy-raiser-and-train-a-hero-with-a-tail/#respond Fri, 04 Oct 2024 11:00:24 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=132631

This is not a drill! If raising puppies sounds like your dream ‘job’, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the SA Guide-Dogs Association is looking for puppy raiser volunteers!...

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This is not a drill! If raising puppies sounds like your dream ‘job’, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the SA Guide-Dogs Association is looking for puppy raiser volunteers!

 

South Africa (04 October 2024) — Training heroes with tails for a super cause is a pretty unique gig. Not only do you get to spend precious time as a puppy raiser, but you’ll also kickstart the young pooch’s journey as a life-changing pal who will go on to positively impact the lives of visually impaired and physically disabled people, as well as children on the Autism spectrum.

If raising a puppy for such an important cause sounds like your dream ‘job’, then we’ve got news that’ll make your ears perk up like a puppy hearing ‘walkies’.

The South African Guide-Dogs Association is in search of volunteers to help them raise puppies.

Puppy raiser

Here’s How it Works!

You will receive the puppy at around eight weeks old from the association along with a puppy pack that contains all the puppy essentials (a collar, lead, jacket, chew toy, treat bag and a blanket. Your puppy will also get access to vaccinations, deworming meds, and tick and flea protection throughout its time with you (all food and vet bills will be covered).

For the many months you two will be together (until the pup is 16 months old), there will be a lot of adventures to be had.

From cuddles and walks to training sessions, the puppy raiser will need to be prepared to spend a lot of time with their four-legged bestie. So, people who love taking their dogs everywhere they go would be perfect candidates!

As for the training sessions, the puppy raiser and the dog will need to attend once a week at the SA Guide Dogs’ premises. Classes are an hour long and run by a Puppy Raising Supervisor.

When 16 months flies by, the puppy will graduate to formal training. Puppy raisers will get to have their dogs at home with them over weekends and holidays, so it won’t be a goodbye just yet.

Once formal training is done and dusted, it’ll be time to let the dog off the leash as they match with a new person whose life will become one of freedom and independence thanks to the dog you raised. They’ll be all grown up and an official Guide Dog, Service Dog or Autism Support Dog.

Puppy Raiser Requirements

  • 18 years or older
  • A responsible dog lover
  • A calm and patient temperament
  • Physical fitness and capable of caring for a puppy
  • Flexible hours (even if you have a full-time office job)
  • Availability to attend the weekly training sessions on weekdays for 21 weeks during office hours
  • Availability to attend monthly or bi-monthly outings with the pup and other raisers
  • Have your own transport and a valid driver’s license
  • Be able to commit up to 16 months with the puppy

You can sign up by emailing AlidaP@guidedog.org.za and find more info at www.guidedog.org.za


Sources: Supplied—SA Guide-Dogs Association 
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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.

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Granny Grommets Attempt World Record to Help Para Surfer! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/granny-grommets-attempt-world-record-to-help-para-surfer/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/granny-grommets-attempt-world-record-to-help-para-surfer/#respond Fri, 27 Sep 2024 06:00:21 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=131885

The fabulous Nahoon Granny Grommets (AKA, the most iconic surfers in the Eastern Cape) are attempting to set a world record to help para surfer JP Veaudry attend the World...

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The fabulous Nahoon Granny Grommets (AKA, the most iconic surfers in the Eastern Cape) are attempting to set a world record to help para surfer JP Veaudry attend the World Para Surfing Championships! 

 

Nahoon, South Africa (27 September 2024) — The most fabulous surfers in the Eastern Cape, the Nahoon Granny Grommets, are preparing to put their rookie wave riding to the test in the hopes that they will set a new world record!

In case you haven’t met the Granny Grommets before, they are an iconic community of women who are all over 50. Weekly, they unite to boogie with their boards, catch waves, enjoy new adventures and ride the reality that being over 50 is the perfect time to pick up fresh skills and new friends. 

Today, the Grommets take the seas by storm as they attempt to set a unique record for ‘The Oldest Wave’. 

Now, you’d be forgiven for wondering how one might calculate the age of a wave. But the Granny Grommets have come up with a pretty creative way to do it: they are going to combine the ages of all the people on the wave at the time, ultimately making the group something of a super surfer, age-wise. 

But this mission isn’t just for the Granny Grommets to add another extraordinary experience to their memory books. They are tackling the ‘Oldest Wave’ in an attempt to raise funds for East London para surfer, Jean Paul (JP) Veaudry who has been given the opportunity to compete in the ISA World Para Surfing Championships. 

Photo Credit: Supplied

Set to be held at Huntington Beach in California from 3 to 9 November, there is no event more prestigious than this in the world of para surfing. 

“Those who know me on a personal level will know that obtaining my South African Colours has always been a dream of mine and my next goal is to become a World Para Surfing Champion,” says Jean Paul. 

Because the opportunity is not financially supported by the government, JP has had to figure out his own way to get to the event financially. With the Granny Grommets on his side, hopes are high that JP will be able to raise the funds, compete and make South Africa proud; all with a new world record in tow thanks to the ladies.

You can support his big opportunity, here!


Sources: Email Submission; Granny Grommets 
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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.

 

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Dance, Dogs and Doing Better for the Mdantsane Community  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/dance-dogs-and-doing-better-for-the-mdantsane-community/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/dance-dogs-and-doing-better-for-the-mdantsane-community/#respond Mon, 23 Sep 2024 11:00:40 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=131686

Bettering the Mdantsane community is Ben Rexana—a dance teacher who provides free lessons to kids and an animal lover who helps sterilise and feed community pets.   Mdantsane, South Africa...

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Bettering the Mdantsane community is Ben Rexana—a dance teacher who provides free lessons to kids and an animal lover who helps sterilise and feed community pets.

 

Mdantsane, South Africa (23 September 2024) — Benjamin Rexana isn’t your typical dance teacher.

For starters, his studio is a non-profit that’s accessible to the community of Mdantsane children as a means to fill their time with the joy of dance. Secondly, a big part of his work involves helping animals in need. At first glance, you might wonder what the thread is that connects dance, dogs and kids. But when you look deeper, you see what Ben sees: a community with happier children means more room to teach them about animal welfare and in turn, primes the next generation of animals to be in better hands.

Since 2008, Ben has been running CyfaDance K9-Care Community Development—a free dance lessons service for Mdantsane’s children.

The word of Ben’s efforts has spread far and wide out of Mdantsane, earning him a place as one of the 30 Young Mandelas circa 2022 in the Compassion category and inspiring people like East London’s Kirsty Monk who put his work on Good Things Guy’s radar.

“It is really is inspiring what he does with so little and much of an impact he is making on these young kids,” shares Kirsty, who adds that Ben’s work, beyond keeping kids off the streets is also making a difference for the animals in their area from feeding to getting the dogs sterilised.

“For me the kids I teach are [as] important as the dogs I care about,” says Ben. He adds that the children help him feed the dogs.

When he’s not actively feeding the community’s animals, working on a sterilisation campaign, connecting the pets to vets or empowering kids through dance, Ben works on educating the community on animal and child welfare, acting as a voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves and breaking stigmas. 

In very exciting news on the dance side of his community work, CYFA Community Development has been invited to the 2024 Intercontinental Dance and Battles Championship Finals—set to take place in Sea Point from 27 to 29 September!

The Championship Finals will see over 400 top dancers from Lesotho to Seychelles compete—the opportunity for the young dancers of Mdantsane.

Ben is currently looking for donations to help his dancers get to their big moment in the spotlight, and donations to the dream can be made here.


Sources: Website Submission
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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.

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Nominations for the 2024 Sustainable Fashion Awards are Open! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/nominations-for-the-2024-sustainable-fashion-awards-are-open/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/nominations-for-the-2024-sustainable-fashion-awards-are-open/#respond Mon, 23 Sep 2024 06:00:21 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=131599

Calling all eco-focused fashionistas and designers! The 2024 Sustainable Fashion Awards’ Nominations are officially open:   South Africa (23 September 2024) — The nominations for the 2024 Sustainable Fashion Awards...

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Calling all eco-focused fashionistas and designers! The 2024 Sustainable Fashion Awards’ Nominations are officially open:

 

South Africa (23 September 2024) — The nominations for the 2024 Sustainable Fashion Awards are officially open, and it’s time for South Africa’s top-tier, sustainability-focused designers and creators to step into the spotlight.

Every year, in a celebration of local talents in fashion who put the environment first, sustainable fashion publication and NPC Twyg hosts the coveted Sustainable Fashion Awards, synonymous with progress, creativity, culture and most importantly, a world where fashion and the planet’s wellbeing are not enemies.

There are 10 categories up for entry and 11 in total with the Changemaker Award set to be drawn from all the categories as determined by the panel of judges’ scoring results.

Both members of the public and members of the trade are invited to put forward worthy contenders for the following:

  • Emerging Designer Award
  • Student Award
  • Footwear Award
  • Accessories Award
  • Innovative Design and Materials Award
  • Trans-seasonal Design Award
  • Farm-to-Fashion Award
  • Nicholas Coutts Artisanal Fashion Award
  • Retail Award
  • Tastemaker Award

The awards are open to South Africans aged 18 and up, and the cut-off date for nominations is 27 September.

Finalists will be announced on 8 November while winners will be hosted at an awards event on 20 November. The space between then and now will be filled with strict screening to ensure that principles of transparency, objectivity, fairness and equality are all upheld.

You can find the entry forms and more information about each category’s criteria, here!


Sources: Supplied—Twyg 
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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.

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Roller Teams Prepare to Rock and Roll at the World Skate Games! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/roller-teams-prepare-to-rock-and-roll-at-the-world-skate-games/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/sport/roller-teams-prepare-to-rock-and-roll-at-the-world-skate-games/#respond Fri, 16 Aug 2024 09:01:16 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=128713

South African roller teams are counting down the days until they can rock and roll at the World Skate Games where they’ll compete against thousands of participants from rinks and...

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South African roller teams are counting down the days until they can rock and roll at the World Skate Games where they’ll compete against thousands of participants from rinks and skateparks all around the world!

 

South Africa (16 August 2024) — South African roller teams are preparing to razzle, dazzle and shake up the world stage with the exciting news that they are making a beeline for the World Skate Games come September. Set to be held in Italy, several roller teams will represent South Africa.

The World Skate Games —a multi-sport World Championship event held every two years—encompasses 12 roller sports. For the roller sports community, it’s one of the most significant events on the calendar, bringing together the best athletes from skateparks and rinks all over the world.

South Africa’s national teams will compete in Inline Speed Skating, Artistic Roller Skating, Skateboarding, and Roller Hockey. In total, the participation numbers for Worlds rolls in at over 12,000 people from 100 countries.

To make the dream of taking the global stage in South African kits possible, the South African roller teams are looking for funding for their team uniforms that’ll represent the Rainbow Nation on wheels.

While Roller Sport South Africa, the official governing body for the sport and all its subsets, is doing all it can to support their athletes as a non-profit, they are calling on the larger South African sport-loving community who want to see our country made proud by supporting this adventure.

You can support the roller teams via any size of donation here.


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.

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The Project Paving the Future for Makhanda! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/the-project-paving-the-future-for-makhanda/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/the-project-paving-the-future-for-makhanda/#respond Sun, 04 Aug 2024 12:00:19 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=127728

The 50th National Arts Festival may have drawn to a close, but more good news is on the cards for Makhanda thanks to ongoing upliftment programmes to be overseen in...

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The 50th National Arts Festival may have drawn to a close, but more good news is on the cards for Makhanda thanks to ongoing upliftment programmes to be overseen in the town!

 

Makhanda, South Africa (04 August 2024)—The National Arts Festival (which celebrated 50 wonderful and important years recently) may have come to an end, but good news for Makhanda is still rolling in.

The NAF itself is part of a special collaboration aimed at empowerment through the creation of job opportunities that go far beyond the festival—the Social Employment Fund that since beginning two years ago has sparked immense positive impact!

Through the SEF, NAF manages over 2,000 previously unemployed locals at its various projects for Makhanda, with each participant paid a stipend for this part-time work. The focus is on community development, all while performing important work for the town, from maintaining and upgrading infrastructure to clearing storm water drains, fixing potholes, collecting litter, fixing schools, planting gardens, recycling waste and working for social change!

Hilton Haakonsen, Project Manager of NAF’s SEF, shares: “Participants are drawn from all areas of the community. Some even have master’s degrees, others haven’t finished school but the commonality is employment and, more importantly, skills development. SEF is about work that needs to be done and people that need work.”

How it Works

Participants are divided into groups and given various tasks for which they are trained and paid. Catching multiple butterflies with one net, the project not only offers work but work that benefits the town and the environment.

“We are extremely proud of the SEF projects which are fully integrated,’ says Monica Newton, CEO of NAF. The refuse collected is sorted, glass and plastic recycled and reused, alien vegetation is chipped, turned in compost and used in our food gardens. It’s about the projects collaborating to make ensure our efforts are successful.”

Since its inception, there has been a 90% reduction in litter along the river banks, and garbage going to the landfill has also reduced by over 20%. Additional successes include:

  • Increased food security and nutrition through the establishment of 27 food gardens, including one home garden and a large market garden
  • Maintenance of over 27 schools and ECD centres
  • Greening the environment and clearing over 51 hectares of invasive plants

Paving Makhanda’s Future One Brick at a Time

One of the latest projects for Makhanda is a factory that’s making bricks and pavers. This began a few months ago, borne out of a need for building materials and finding alternative uses for recycled material. The bricks are produced using a mix of ground recycled glass and finely chipped plastic, mixed with cement.

Hilton says the aim is to become self-sustainable from the sale of compost, bricks and pavers.

Skills Transfer

Part of the SEF programme includes life skills training as well as teaching participants additional skills to help them perform better. Participation in work not only provides much-needed income through stipends, it also gives people entry-level work readiness skills and the confidence to seek work opportunities— vital for securing a job and enhancing enhances of becoming self-employed.

“Receiving a stipend for work done instils a sense of dignity and purpose. It reinforces the fact that participants are earning their livelihood through their efforts and contributions within their communities,’ says Monica.

“It has been incredible to watch the transformation of people, who haven’t had a job for years, earn their own money. They are not only proud of the work they are doing but are also first-hand witnesses to the difference they are making within the community.”

Through NAF’s projects, participants have gone on to gain permanent employment as team leaders, with the others employed for a few days a month on a contract period.

Recycled paver factory workers washing bottles and removing labels prior to crushing.

Why Social Employment Matters

The SEF is as ambitious as it is vital in addressing unemployment and helping foster economic resilience. To date, over 117,000 people have participated in and benefitted through SEF nationally, with 65% being young people and 70% being women. Around 65% of the work is in rural and peri-urban areas.

“Investing in social employment is not just a matter of economic policy, it is a commitment to building a more inclusive and prosperous society,” says SIvu Siwisa, Social Employment Network Campaign Manager. “From individuals to the broader community and economy, through enhanced employability, economic growth, social inclusion and reduced unemployment.”

The SEF is open to additional collaboration and partnerships and anyone keen to make a difference or to be part of the initiative can learn more here. 


Sources: Collen Mashawana
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South African Women Artists Dominate Creative Award’s Finalists List! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/south-african-women-artists-dominate-creative-awards-finalists-list/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/south-african-women-artists-dominate-creative-awards-finalists-list/#respond Sun, 04 Aug 2024 08:00:53 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=127702

Out of hundreds of applications from across the world, South African women artists and creatives have dominated the finalists list for a coveted art award!   Global (04 August 2024)...

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Out of hundreds of applications from across the world, South African women artists and creatives have dominated the finalists list for a coveted art award!

 

Global (04 August 2024) — South African women artists and creatives have dominated the finalists list for an art award that speaks to inclusivity and opportunity—the new yet coveted ANNA Award.

Debuted in 2022, the ANNA Award sought to give more creatives the chance to further their passions without requiring formal training or enforcing age restrictions, giving more women artists across mediums their chance to blossom, gain exposure and pay the way forward for the next generation of female creatives.

This year, the ANNA Award welcomed over 700 applications from 38 countries. From there, only a handful made the Top 12 Finalists list—a list we are proud to report is fledged with South African creativity

Meet the Women Artists and Creatives Making SA Proud

And the South African finalists are:

  • Contemporary visual artist Isabella Maake
  • Textile artist and hand weaver Jana Kisser
  • Visual artist, curator and publisher Kay-Leigh Fisher
  • Female-experience-focused artist Leah Rachel Hawker
  • Visual storyteller and photographer Lee-Ann Olwage
  • Digital and interdisciplinary artist Ntsako Nkuna
  • Artist of contrasting worlds Silindokuhle Shandu
  • Artist, curator and writer Xanthe Scout Lardner-Burke

The winner will be announced on 7 August and will receive R100,000 as well as other opportunities pertaining to residencies and more.

Meanwhile, in other news from awesome women artists, legend Lulama Wolf Mlambo has achieved a first for South Africa by way of a renowned collaboration. Read about the artist here. 


Sources: Latitudes 
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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.

 

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8 Young Leaders from SA Shine On Global Stage in France https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/8-young-leaders-from-sa-shine-on-global-stage-in-france/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/8-young-leaders-from-sa-shine-on-global-stage-in-france/#respond Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:00:50 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=127342

8 young leaders from South Africa’s most impoverished townships got to enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime—attending Festival 24 in Lyon and Paris and the Olympic Games opening ceremony!  ...

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8 young leaders from South Africa’s most impoverished townships got to enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime—attending Festival 24 in Lyon and Paris and the Olympic Games opening ceremony!

 

Global (29 July 2024) — Eight exceptional youths and leaders from SA embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Lyon and Paris to attend Festival 24—an event that gives disadvantaged youth the opportunity to shine on the global stage. Not only this, they also got to relish in the thrill of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games grand opening ceremony!

These young leaders from Afrika Tikkun’s 360° Wellness and Fitness programme were selected after a highly competitive process and are the best of the best. The Festival 24 event took place from the 19th to 28th July in Lyon, France; bringing together over 500 participants from 37 countries for 10 days of sports and cultural exchange, and culminated in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of a global celebration that transcends borders, through the power of sport, plays a critical role in helping young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods on their path to success—transmitting values that are important for personal development and professional integration.

Afrika Tikkun’s eight young people attended the opening ceremony last Friday and had the privilege of participating in workshops during the week preceding the opening ceremony.

These workshops promoted respect, friendship and equality and engaged each participant in an educational and cultural exchange programme. They also participated in and led various vibrant cultural performances, showcasing the rich and diverse heritage of South Africa to foster understanding and unity among people from different cultures and continents.

The delegates took part in friendly competitions where they demonstrated their skills on an international stage in a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports. Afrika Tikkun’s young leaders led and participated in workshops to share best practices in sports, leadership, and community engagement.

Afrika Tikkun’s Group CEO, Dr. Onyi Nwaneri, expressed that the eight young ambassadors have demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication and a commitment to excellence in their respective fields.

16-year-old Masego Madiga of Alexandra Township has been part of Afrika Tikkun since 2010.  As a “competitive and determined athlete who always strives to be the best,” she couldn’t have been more excited about the trip.

Masego shares:

“I joined Afrika Tikkun as part of their Bambanani Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme and am now in Grade 11. During my 14 years with Afrika Tikkun, I have earned two awards: the Legitimate Leadership Award and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. I am highly motivated, hardworking, and passionate and I know how to get things done.”

“Being a part of the Duke of Edinburgh programme has taught me valuable life skills, and I will always be grateful for the experience. Afrika Tikkun has helped me develop a strong foundation,” Masego adds.

Reflecting on how essential the exposure is to young leaders, Afrika Tikkun’s CEO, Dr Onyi Nwaneri, said:

“Our delegation joined others from around the world, including notable attendees such as French Ministry of Sports members. Exposure to this high-profile event and delegate representation underscores the importance of our mission and is a true reflection of the remarkable outcomes of our Afrika Tikkun Cradle-to-Career methodology.” 

Marc Lubner, Executive Deputy Director, Afrika Tikkun added, “It is immensely gratifying to witness young boys and girls from SA’s most impoverished townships taking their rightful place alongside talented youth from first-world countries across the globe. We are incredibly proud of the excellence these individuals have achieved and demonstrated.”

About Afrika Tikkun

Afrika Tikkun is a leading youth development non-profit company (NPC), celebrating a 30-year legacy of creating holistic development and sustainable impact in South Africa (SA). Fuelled by a vision to uplift SA’s most vulnerable, the organisation is dedicated to tackling SA’s entrenched socio-economic disparities and fostering a more equitable society by breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

The participation of these young ambassadors is not just a personal milestone but a significant step forward for Afrika Tikkun and the broader mission of empowering young South Africans. “Together, we are building a brighter future for our young leaders and enabling them to make a lasting impact on the world,” concluded Dr Nwaneri.

You can find out more about Afrika Tikkun here.


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.

 

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