Esther Mahlangu’s new mural is dedicated to the spirit of uBuntu! Planted at a London garden gallery, its larger-than-life stature stands tall amid the greenery, giving Londoners something bright, beautiful, and proudly South African!

London, England (20 October 2024) — After her work enjoyed its fair share of the limelight and celebrity appreciation in the USA, Esther Mahlangu’s new mural is taking up space in London!

At nearly 90-years-young, the acclaimed Ndebele artist continues to share her bold and bright geometric masterpieces with the world. Her new mural, titled ‘Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’ is an ode to the South African philosophy of uBuntu. In fact, its translation from Ndebele to English reads ‘I am because you are’.

 

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A post shared by Esther Mahlangu (@esthermahlanguart)

The new mural has been ‘planted’ at Serpentine Gallery’s North Garden based on West Carriage Drive, where it boasts the artist’s immediately recognisable patterning and confident style. Painted across 16 wooden panels, the energy of the new mural is larger than life, much like the uBuntu ethos.

Simultaneously, Esther Mahlangu is also the talk of London’s art scene in a different part of the city. At a solo exhibition at the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Esher’s work brought an immediate rush of vibrance and life to the walls of Melrose Gallery in the West Wing!

 

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A post shared by Esther Mahlangu (@esthermahlanguart)

Meanwhile, in another creative news piece that made us feel proudly South African, artist Jake Michael Singer has been given the opportunity to represent our country through sculpture at a prestigious event overlooking the magnificent Pyramids of Giza! Jake’s sculpture, We Will Meet Again in the Sky’ is a must-see, and you can learn more about it here.

Sources: Email Submission

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

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In a world where interns mostly tend to go unheard, one South African intern made an impression on an ‘American Buddha’.

Global (16 July, 2023) — Oftentimes, interns don’t have the floor to share their opinions. Not least when it comes to mindset matters. In the same breath, many interns are afraid to share their thoughts and ideas, something anyone who interned in the big wide corporate world will understand. However, one South African intern had her voice heard, and the result was an enlightening experience for one American Buddha.

Taking to share the experience, The Daily Buddha blog’s founder (who goes simply by Jim) told the story of how a South African intern got him thinking for the better. 

Jim shared that a while back when working with the SA intern, he learned a little more about how different South African and American mindsets can be.

Being from South Africa, the intern naturally had unique opinions on American culture.

“The differences in our cultures made for some very interesting and enlightening conversations,” shares Jim.

“One such conversation was her observation on how we here in America seem to only love those things that are most like us, or we tend to only pursue the sure thing. Although this was a generality, there seemed to be a small grain of truth in her observations.”

The American Buddha went on to share that the conversation made him realise how many Americans do tend to localise their love and efforts to their own inner circles. This is quite different to South Africa, where the fabric of our differences are what thread us together. South African culture is a melting pot, and when we think of local love, most of our minds will go to all of us as a nation, not just those of us that are like us—uBuntu at its finest.

Jim had become inspired to take notes from SA culture thanks to the intern’s opinions, and shared some lessons with other Americans:

• “People can be unreasonable, illogical and self-centred. Love them anyway.”
• “If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.”
• “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things seem so difficult.”

Sources: Daily Buddha 

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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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World Drowning Prevention Day is coming up, and the NSRI is calling for South Africans to rally in blue because anyone can drown but no one should.

South Africa (06 July, 2023) — 25 July is observed as World Drowning Prevention Day (WDPD). As declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) in 2021, this advocacy event serves to raise awareness of drowning as a global public health concern. To emphasise the ongoing importance of global commitment to implementing preventive measures, it is essential to remind people that “anyone can drown, no one should”.

Executive Director of Drowning Prevention Services at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Dr Jill Fortuin says the NSRI supports the WHO’s call for action as this call is one of the major contributors that embody the work done by the Drowning Prevention department at the NSRI.

The focus of the campaign in 2023 is to put the spotlight on drowning prevention, in that anyone could drown no one should. On average 1477 people drown in South Africa, most of these fatal drownings occur amongst males, children under 14 years, and inland waters.

WDPD calls for doing one thing, improving one thing, and adding one thing in aid of preventing drownings.

“As one of the leading bodies in South Africa operating in the drowning prevention discipline, we are urging South Africans to help us commemorate the day by wearing blue on the 25^thof July 2023. This colour symbolizes the urgent need for action to reduce drownings,” adds Fortuin.

In addition, the colour blue is about remembering people who have drowned, creating awareness, and increasing knowledge about drowning.

Additionally, the NSRI has designated several prominent locations to be illuminated in blue, serving as a tribute to those who have tragically lost their lives to drowning and as a visible commitment to preventing future incidents.

Those landmarks are as follows:

• Zoo Lake in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province
• 2nd Beach, Port St Johns, encompassing the Coffee Bay/Hole in the Wall areas in the Eastern Cape
• Whalebone Pier at Umhlanga Rocks in KwaZulu-Natal
• Table Mountain and NSRI Head Office, located at 2 Longclaw Drive, Milnerton, in the Western Cape
• NSRI Stations situated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

“We are forever dedicated to enhancing water safety education across the country and NSRI Drowning Prevention instructors will be conducting water safety education lessons in different regions,” says Dr Jill

Look out for these enlightening sessions taking place at Zoo Lake, East London City Hall and Hole in the Wall at Coffee Bay (Eastern Cape), Walebone Pier and the NSRI Head Office in the Western Cape.

“Let’s embody the spirit of UBUNTU fellow South Africans, and prevent drowning together,” concludes Fortuin.

Sources: NSRI – Supplied

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

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A Durbanite has written a post thanking the looters for uniting South Africa – “You tried, you’re still trying, but you are failing. We are rising.”

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (17 July 2021) – A South African has written an open letter to the country, but more specifically to thank and forgive the looters.

A message from Durban!

There are no words to describe the magic that is amongst our motherland right now. The magic of its people rising together… a new dawn! An incredible sense of unity and pride!

There are queues for miles for food, but there is calm, there is order, and there is a newfound respect for one another. There is love on the streets like never before. We are tired, but we are cleansed. We have shredded the layer of fear that we have carried around for so long – the fear of ‘what will be when they come?’. ‘They ‘ being the SMALL group of evil individuals that have tried so hard to tear us apart by lying and brainwashing the people of our land.

There is a sense that the tragic events that have happened over the past few days will go down in history as a major turning point in our country.

So I am going to thank and forgive the small group of evil individuals that plotted this strategic move to try to bring South Africans to their knees. You tried, you’re still trying, but you are failing. You see, the people of South Africa are now seeing you for what you really stand for. Your strategic evil plan did not work. In fact, it’s done quite the opposite. The people see you now. They have seen the darkness. We see you.

Where there is darkness, there is always light. And by God’s grace, the light is shining bright today.

Ubuntu is alive and well and thriving. The community cleanups are incredible, and the rebuilding has already begun. Only now, the foundations of our building are stronger. They are being built on love – love for one another, love for this beloved county and love for our incredible people.

We are rising.

Continue to reach out and help where you can during this time of need for supplies. Take peace in knowing too this is a temporary discomfort – there are amazing individuals and companies that are putting plans in place to resolve our supply problem quickly. Keep in mind we do not have a food shortage problem in South Africa. We simply have a logistical issue at the moment and need to keep our truckers, owners of our stores and their staff safety first.

Tammy LootsDurban
Proudly South African

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Throughout all the heartache of South Africa’s recent struggles, we have had people reaching out to offer help and wanting to know where they can do so. As usual, we love helping direct people to important causes, so we have compiled a working list of organisations to support.

If you are looking for ways to volunteer your time or funds, you can reach out to any of the organisations listed here.

Sources: Tammy Loots 

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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 that there’s good news all 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 Thank You To The Looters For Uniting SA! A Message From Inside Durban! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Car troubles in the Kruger National Park are not ideal… but an elderly couple on a quick getaway learned first hand the kindness of fellow wildlife lovers.

Kruger National Park (03 September 2020) – The Kruger National Park holds a magic you can only understand if you have been before. Once it grabs hold of you, it never lets go! An elderly couple with a deep love of the Kruger set off for a quick getaway and had some scary car trouble while there.

Muhammed Vawda reached out to various leaders involved in the Kruger National Park to share the story of his parents’ ordeal and their encounter with kindness and compassion. He tells a tale of the true Ubuntu spirit, alive and well in South Africa!

Mohammed’s father (72) and mother (67) had set off early, leaving the Tamboti tented camp and heading towards Satara. They were about 5km from the main camp, in the middle of famous lion country when their car started to have problems. Something had snapped and come loose, scrapping along the road as they drove. Mohammed’s father wanted to stop but the car veered off the tarred road and as hard as they both tried, the steering had locked up.

The went crashing through the bush, thankfully at only 40km/h before coming to a standstill. Both parents sat shocked at what had just happened. Mohammed’s father paused, trying to decide if he should get out the car or stay safely locked inside.

He decided to quickly get out and check what had happened. The elderly couple called their son Muhammed to tell him they had been in an accident. Thankfully, the park was busy so it was hardly a minute when the first car stopped.

“A camper with two elderly Afrikaner couples stopped at the scene and offered to take them to Satara. Mr Pieter Erasmus was the one gentleman’s name…

At this stage bear in mind that my elderly mother; is a victim of three whip-lashes, physiotherapy patient for plantar fasciitis and an old neuro-surgery patient. A camper is a high vehicle which mom could not climb into; so one of the Afrikaner gentlemen fetched the mini-ladder in order for her to get into their camper.

Noteworthy at this point is that within minutes from the break-down mishap; more than 40 fellow-guests of Kruger Park (from different race groups and ages) stopped with concern and offered help (from different vehicles).
They headed off to Satara in the camper, while the car stayed where it accidentally stopped.”

While this was happening Mohammed had been trying to reach Satara camp to speak with the manager to get help for his parents. When he got through he was greeted by a very helpful manager who quickly got to work getting help sent out to the elderly couple.

While they travelled with their rescuers to Satara, Mohammed’s mother started to panic and the trauma of the accident started taking its toll. As soon as they arrived, Section Ranger Wilson worked to calm Mohammed’s mother and spent the next three-hours sitting with her.

“Ranger Wilson took my pension-aged parents with him in his bakkie to the scene; then with his own hands loaded their entire luggage from the broken down car into his bakkie. In that process he was courteous enough to do all this without my mom so much as needing to lift her hands in that respect.

While waiting for Satara manager to arrange an emergency booking, Ranger Wilson did not abandon my mother; and sacrificed his own lunch in the process.

He then took my stranded pension-aged parents to their Bungalow and offloaded with his own hands all by himself, all of their luggage and belongings and further packed it for them.

Both parents were very impressed by the compassionate and welcoming hospitable spirit of the Satara office staff; and mom sings praises of the unique spirit of Ranger Wilson.”

Mohammed shared the message from his parents too and was so grateful they were taken care of so gently and so compassionately.

“Mr and Mrs Vawda (senior) hereby convey their heartfelt gratitude to each person involved in assisting them so preciously, during their experience of being stranded due to vehicle break-down in KNP’s Satara vicinity.

In this rescue and thereafter the Kruger National Park guests, Satara office staff, Satara Rangers and particularly Section Ranger Wilson personified the African humanist philosophical ethical value of Ubuntu; loosely translated as “I am because we are”, or “humanity towards others” defined in Xhosa as “umntu ngumntu ngabantu”. It is a sharing that connects all humanity.”

Sources: SANParks – Kruger National Park Group

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Have something to add to this story? 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. 

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 that there’s good news all 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 hopefully leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Ubuntu in the Kruger National Park as helpers aid elderly involved in crash appeared first on Good Things Guy.