The fans have spoken once again, only this time in James Blunt’s favour – He aimed to reach number one on the charts, and he failed! But boy, did he celebrate the moment!

Global (22 October 2024) – James Blunt had his very own jump-on-the-sofa moment this week in celebration of his album not hitting number one on the charts. You might be thinking, that doesn’t sound right, and you would be right! James was celebrating the failure because now he doesn’t need to legally change his name.

He has started a challenge to get his album ‘Back to Bedlam’ back on top of the charts, and if it hit #1, he would legally change his name to whatever the most popular suggestion is. The suggestion was to change his name to Blunty McBluntface.

The album, which includes fan favourites like ‘You’re Beautiful’, ‘Goodbye My Lover’, and ‘High’, was reproduced in honour of the anniversary. The goal is to get it to number one by the end of October.

Every artist hopes to have their album reach number one but in James’ case, he was absolutely relieved when the news broke that his album had failed to hit the mark.

Take a look at his hilarious reaction below:

Sources: James Blunt 

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The Little Optimist Trust has set a new challenge, encouraging people from across the globe to join in keeping hope afloat!

Cape Town, South Africa (22 October 2024) – A Cape Town charity’s annual fund-raising campaign is going global and attracting international attention, with an invitation to South Africa and the rest of the world to take up its new challenge.

For the past six years, The Little Optimist Trust has held a yearly boat sailing competition to raise funds for its various development projects. These include regular sailing therapy days and renovation projects at under-resourced children’s homes, schools and hospitals.

However, in a change to the traditional format, the charity is now expanding its fund-raising mission with the launch of The Great Optimist Challenge. The charity is inviting anyone living anywhere to take on a charity challenge of their choice between 15 October and 31 December 2024. Not only can participants raise money for The Little Optimist Trust, but they can also include any other charity of their choice – with prizes worth R50,000 on offer.

As part of the challenge, the annual Great Optimist Race will be held at the Boatica exhibition at the V&A Waterfront from 25 to 27 October. All child and adult visitors to the event can participate for free in boat racing (no sailing experience necessary) or SUP time trials at The Little Optimist stand. A small donation and a 15-minute time trial challenge will ensure entry for lucky draw prizes.

“We are inviting people to come to Boatica and take on a challenge by sitting in a boat, sailing, learning to sail, paddling a SUP, or just doing something funny and making a donation. All will be entered into The Great Optimist Challenge, standing a chance to win one of many prizes in our lucky draw worth R50 000,” says The Little Optimist founder Greg Bertish. 

For those unable to attend Boatica, there are endless ways to join the campaign.

A variety of groups and individuals from across the country have already signed up for The Great Optimist Challenge, including ten students from Pretoria University, an international team that will be riding the Wine to Whales bike ride, an in-store challenge at leading retailer Italtile, as well as children and families hosting mini-challenges and Optimist pool parties.

“We challenge you! Do any challenge, anytime, anywhere, any how. Help us do great things for charity. Sign up on our site now and you could also win free tickets to Boatica,” adds Bertish.

For more information, visit thegreatoptimistchallenge.org

Sources: Cart Horse Protection Association 

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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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Small business dreams come to life with the guidance and support offered by Jameel Khan and Hiten Yasvant Keshave, two inspiring businessmen hoping to guide SMMEs to success in South Africa.

South Africa (21 October 2024) – Jameel Khan and Hiten Yasvant Keshave founded their company, the Unconventional CA, but it’s their backstories that have inspired the industry most, earning them each accolade in their own rights and building a foundation for business done well!

The duo founded Unconventional CA (UCA) in the hope of supporting Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. They work to support small businesses in overcoming obstacles, finding inspiration, and connecting them to the greater supply chain, where corporations need B-BBEE partners. This, in turn, grows them into businesses that can employ people and boost the local economy.

We got to chat with the guys about their personal accomplishments and how they see their business growing and helping others grow along the way.

Jameel Khan’s story starts with a struggle; as an addict, he found his freedom when he finally overcame his addiction in July 2016. He calls the moment sitting in his first group therapy session in rehab one of his most defining life moments. He looked around the room and realised he wasn’t alone.

“Regardless of a problem one might face there are always people who can empathize and are willing to listen and help to resolve one’s afflictions.”

“It taught me that no problem is insurmountable and to try and be present and appreciate each moment” – Jameel Khan

Hiten, too, had to overcome struggles before joining Jameel in business. He learned first-hand the struggles in business, having to liquidate his first business and learned a great lesson in the process.

“I had to liquidate my first business in 2015. It was my first leap into entrepreneurship, and it didn’t go as planned. However, choosing not to seek help to save myself was crucial because it taught me invaluable lessons about failure, resilience, and growth. That experience shaped my future approach to business and life.” – Hiten Yasvant Keshave.

The moment was key to learning from mistakes, and today, it plays a big role in supporting other small businesses.

And what is life without its upturns? For Hiten, the added struggle of illness played a role in how he practices business today.

“Another personal struggle was overcoming epilepsy. Being nine years free of any episodes, and off medication for three years, has instilled in me the power of the mind and how controlling your thoughts can shape your life.”

Both Jameel and Hiten have earned spots as finalists on the 2023 Top 35 under 35 list by SAICA, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Both credit their biggest accomplishments as founding UCA.

“The founding of Unconventional CA, with the purpose of giving back to the community and supporting SMMEs, stands out as a defining success. It’s about more than financial gain—it’s about impact and empowerment.” – Hiten

Having found their footing in supporting SMMEs, both Jameel and Hiten have truly sound advice for hopeful entrepreneurs.

“It’s about progress not perfection. Stride to make progress everyday and you will succeed.” – Jameel

“My advice is simple—fail fast, fail forward, and embrace the lessons that come with failure. Resilience and a growth mindset are essential in entrepreneurship. Surround yourself with the right people, build strong networks, and don’t shy away from asking for help when needed. Remember, your journey as an entrepreneur is more about learning and evolving than about the end result.” – Hiten

With such a bright future for small businesses in South Africa. Jameel and Hiten have great hopes. They are ready and willing to help support and grow small and micro businesses into thriving companies that are able to hire staff and turn promising profits. There is so much hope, and we love seeing people invest their knowledge and skills in building small businesses.

Hiten ends by sharing that Unconventional CA is a platform for social entrepreneurship and humanitarian efforts, which contributes to a future where people can harness the power of their minds and potential.

Sources: GTG Interview

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

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The Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club spent time representing South Africa in Australia for the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships – and filled it with history-making moments!

South Africa (20 October 2024) – Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club’s first-ever team to compete in Australia delivered remarkable performances, breaking new ground and securing impressive results at the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships. With a squad of 27 passionate Youth, Open, and Masters athletes, Clifton proudly etched its name into the history books.

Historic Firsts for Clifton:

• First time Clifton has sent a team to compete in Australia
• First-ever Open Ladies team to compete at World Champs
• First-ever Female Masters athlete to compete at World Champs
• First-ever Youth team to compete at World Champs

Open Competition Success:

Final Placings (out of 142 clubs):

• 18th in Ocean
• 20th in Pool
• 19th Overall

The Clifton Open team of 15 athletes showed resilience and heart, competing fiercely against the world’s best. In the Pool events, athletes set new personal bests, with standout performances from Kendra Du Toit, who reached both A and B Finals in individual events. The Open Ladies relay team achieved victory in a B Final and reached both A and B Finals in other relays, significantly boosting Clifton’s campaign.

In the Ocean events, teamwork shone as the Ladies Tube Rescue and Men’s Beach Relay teams both finished 4th. Samuel Booysen also placed 4th in the Beach Sprints, and the Ladies Board Rescue team secured a B Final 5th place finish. In a gruelling Men’s Long Run Relay, Clifton claimed an admirable 6th place.

Youth Competition Triumphs:

Final Placings (out of 91 clubs):

• 6th in Ocean
• 9th in Stillwater
• 8th Overall

Clifton’s Junior Boys excelled on the beach, Jake Hutton stood out with back-to-back World Champion titles in Flags and Beach Sprints. Clifton had three athletes reaching the Flags A final: 14-year-old Kyto Tuohy, in his first Youth competition, finished 4th, while Sam Abold took 6th. In the B sprint finals, Sam placed 2nd, Kyto 7th, and Josh Huntingford 8th. The Youth Boys Beach Relay team of Josh, Kyto, Mathew Pincente, and Sam won the World Championship, highlighting an outstanding performance by Clifton’s Youth squad.

Keira Van Heerden broke three National Records in the 50m Manikin Carry (twice), 200m Obstacle, and 100m Rescue Medley, setting new U17, U19, and Open Women’s National records in the final. Having competed with the National team earlier in the week, her achievements were exceptional.

Masters Competition Highlights:

Christina Mallion, Clifton’s sole Masters competitor, earned a bronze medal in the Surf Ski event and secured several top 8 finishes across board, beach sprints, long run, and flags.

Reflections and Gratitude:

“As a group, we came here to learn, and we experienced an amazing calibre of racing while forming lasting friendships. We left our mark on this competition with our spirit, and we can be truly proud of our final placings.” – James Thomson, Clifton Head of Sport.

Clifton athletes returned home with pride, eager to continue building on their successes at future world championships.

“On behalf of Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made our journey to the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships possible. From our dedicated coaches, management, and support staff to our generous sponsors, Velocity Trade and PKF, your belief and commitment fuelled our success. We are proud to have represented our community on the world stage and look forward to building on this incredible experience.” – Ed Tuohy, Clifton Chairman

Clifton’s participation in the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships marked a significant milestone in the club’s history, and their achievements have set the stage for even greater success in the future.

Sources: Website Submission 

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

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Matthew and Nicholas McGregor launched the Kesho Collective as a way to unite South Africans in London and raise funds for charity in SA.

London, United Kingdom (18 October 2024) – Nicholas McGregor and Matthew McGregor, cousins from South Africa now living in the United Kingdom, have found a great way to unite the South African community in London, while still supporting charitable causes in South Africa. The duo are creating meaningful impact through their non-profit Kesho Collective, which was founded earlier this year.

Living in the UK, the cousins realised they could harness the green and gold community and the Ubuntu that runs deep within every South African’s to give back to their selected charities the Mzansi’s Rugby Academy and the Rosey’s Crèche and Daycare.

Through the hosting of events, many themed around the exciting rugby games our Springboks play, Nicholas and Matthew are able to collect donations and raise funds from event proceeds that go directly to the charities. They have had great success so far, having hosted two sold-out events so far and a third on the card for November.

These events provide South Africans living in the UK with the chance to celebrate their culture, support their team, and give back to their home country. It’s a reminder that no matter how far away they are, South Africans can still come together to make a difference.

How It Works

Kesho Collective raises funds primarily through monthly donations and events. Their passion for South Africa is echoed in their love for the Springboks, and they have harnessed that enthusiasm to create a community of rugby-loving South Africans living in London. Through highly successful screening events for Springbok matches, they have brought people together, sold out venues, and raised substantial amounts for charity.

They have an upcoming event for the Springboks v England rugby game on the 16th of November 2024, should you be keen to join, you can find out more here. Note the funds for the event will go directly to the Mzansi’s Rugby Academy and Rosey’s Crèche.

The Mzansi’s Rugby Academy is based in Port Alfred and supports local children through rugby and education. The academy is run by Barry Scharneck and Alex Floyd-Douglas. They work with teens from the age of 13-18 by providing them with rugby training, transport to fixtures, and educational support. Soon, they will have a fully-fledge programme for women’s rugby too.

For the youth to take part in the academy, they need to show academic interest by keeping their grades up. This ensures that they get a balanced academic and sporting education.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far, particularly being able to fund and support a full rugby sevens festival for youth in the Eastern Cape with Mzansi’s Rugby Academy. It’s amazing to give these young athletes visibility on SuperSport Schools, and we truly believe in the power of sport to uplift communities and help South Africa reach its full potential.” – Matthew McGregor

Rosey Mbikwana, runs the Rosey’s Crèche and Daycare which is based in Mthatha. The daycare provides a safe space and meals for children while their parents are at work. Rosey’s ultimate goal is to offer these children better educational facilities.

Through the Kesho Collective, they are fundraising to build a new classroom for the crèche, with the hope of completing it for the new school year.

“We’re incredibly proud to be a part of such life-changing initiatives,” said Nicholas McGregor. “Through the support of our London community, we’re able to send vital funds to South Africa and make a real difference where it matters most.”

For more information about Kesho Collective or to get involved, visit keshocollective.com

Sources: 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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Charity shops are gearing up to start festive season sales, and if you can donate your second-hand toys, you could be helping parents on a budget!

South Africa (17 October 2024) – While your spring cleaning may be in full swing, we have a suggestion that will make a huge difference this festive season. A post has been doing the rounds on social media, encouraging people to start donating second-hand toys to charity shops so that parents who don’t have much can purchase something in time for Christmas.

Charity shops are a great asset to society because they offer a resource for finding affordable alternatives while giving back. They are a great option for people who have stepped away from typical retailers and need a good source of second-hand items.

Many parents tend to wait until after Father Christmas (aka Santa) has visited to do a toy cleanup, but this is your gentle reminder to sweep through the toy box a little earlier this year.

Times are tough, and everyone is struggling. For many, buying a new doll that costs a week’s worth of groceries just isn’t feasible this year. Your child’s extras could help spread joy even further this year.

So if you are keen, get cleaning! Make it a family activity (if your children won’t become overwhelmed by a toy purge). Think of toys that are just collecting dust, that are no longer age-appropriate or were gifted to your child, but they already had something similar. Just make sure the toy is in working condition.

For families in need, you can find our list of our must-visit charity shops here. These same charities will also gladly welcome your donations so be sure to check out which is closest to your home.

Sources: Good Things Guy 

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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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October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the experts look at mental health in the workplace; the reality is that we spend a large amount of our time at work, so understanding the good and bad is essential!

South Africa (17 October 2024) – Work can be a significant source of stress and poor mental health, but “good” work can contribute to better mental health, and the workplace itself can play a positive role in improving access to treatment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks depression as the leading cause^[i] of disability and ill-health worldwide. A 2016 study found that lost productivity due to depression-related absenteeism and presenteeism costs the South African economy an estimated R232 billion a year, or 5.7% of GDP (in 2016 terms), ^[ii] while the WHO estimates the global economic cost of untreated depression at US$1 trillion annually.^[iii]

With at least one in three South African adults^[iv] likely to experience a mental health disorder in their lifetimes and employed people spending the bulk of their waking hours at work, the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) has highlighted that the workplace plays a key role in mental health.

“Good, meaningful work and mentally healthy work environments are beneficial for protecting mental health as well as aiding recovery from mental illness. Prioritising mental health in the workplace not only improves individual employees’ wellbeing but supports organisational performance and economic growth,” SASOP member and psychiatrist Dr Siki Gwanya-Mdletye said.

Speaking ahead of World Mental Health Day which was hosted on 10 October, Dr Gwanya-Mdletye said that strengthening the mental health aspect of workplace health services could also offer an innovative solution to the country’s large mental health treatment gap, which sees 75% of those with common mental health disorders^[v] such as depression and anxiety going untreated.

The theme of World Mental Health Day this year was “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”.

“The workplace can contribute both positively and negatively to mental health. Work can provide not only a livelihood but meaning, purpose and satisfaction, while unhealthy organisational cultures or exposure to trauma in the workplace can worsen mental illness for vulnerable individuals.

“Given South Africa’s high prevalence of mental illness and the substantial treatment gap, the workplace can also provide a good location for structured interventions to supplement the under-resourced community level of mental healthcare.

“Such interventions need to go beyond feel-good pamper sessions and spa-days at work, as lovely as these may be,” she said.

Dr Gwanya-Mdletye said that a greater mental health focus in employee wellness programmes and workplace-based healthcare services held a number of benefits, starting with early detection and referral for treatment.

Early referral for primary-level treatment had been shown to shorten the duration of illness and improve long-term health outcomes, as well as reducing the need for costly specialist care or hospitalisation, she said.

Locating mental health interventions in the workplace also has the benefit of consistency in treatment, since workers go to work most days of the week and workplace health services would be an “ally in treatment adherence”, as lack of adherence to treatment is a major challenge in successfully treating mental illness.

“This approach also retains the mental health benefits of engaging in meaningful work, and enables those with a mental health condition to continue earning a living, remaining a productive member of society and maintaining independence and dignity.

“Given South Africa’s high unemployment rate, there are significant limitations in a unilateral focus on employees. Ideally, responsible work-based mental health interventions should broaden their reach at the very least to the families of the employees they serve, and possibly to their immediate communities if resources allow,” she said.

REFERENCES

[i] World Health Organisation (WHO). 2017. “Depression: let’s talk” says WHO, as depression tops list of causes of ill health. https://www.who.int/news/item/30-03-2017–depression-let-s-talk-says-who-as-depression-tops-list-of-causes-of-ill-health

[ii] Evans-Lacko, S., Knapp, M. Global patterns of workplace productivity for people with depression: absenteeism and presenteeism costs across eight diverse countries. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 51, 1525–1537 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1278-4

[iii] WHO. Mental health at work. https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/promotion-prevention/mental-health-in-the-workplace

[iv] Herman AA, et al. The South African Stress and Health (SASH) Study: 12-month and lifetime prevalence of common mental disorders. SA Medical Journal, Vol 99, No. 5. 2009. http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/3374

[v] Sorsdahl K, et al. A reflection of the current status of the mental healthcare system in South Africa. SSM – Mental Health, Volume 4, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100247

Source: 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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Our family was deeply moved when an anonymous woman chose to pay our Matriarch’s medical bill at the doctor’s this week; the moment moved us all to tears!

Alberton, South Africa (17 October 2024) – Our family WhatsApp group dissolved into full-blown sobs yesterday when Ouma started sharing the news about her doctor’s visit. Between her tears, she shared how an anonymous woman paid her doctor’s bill, after overhearing that the medical aid wouldn’t be covering it.

We often advise you to reach for the tissues when a heart-touching story is about to unfold, only this time, I am the one needing to reach for the tissues, over and over again. You might need to go grab some, just in case!

My Ouma was a walk-in appointment at her doctor, the Randheart Medi Centre in Alberton. Before going in for her consultation and tests, the receptionist came over to discretely discuss the payment options, as the medical aid had run out, and Ouma would have to pay out of pocket for the appointment. My Ouma reassured the receptionist that she would be able to cover the bill and thanked her for letting her know beforehand.

Fast-forward to when Ouma was finished with the doctor and was ready to pay. She made her way to the counter, where the receptionist informed her that the bill was already paid for. Slightly confused, my Ouma queried how that was possible, having referenced the quiet conversation they had prior. This was when the kindness was revealed.

A lady who had walked in after her, was sitting within earshot of my Ouma and had heard the payment hiccup, so before leaving, she settled the bill in full for no other reason than to do a little bit of good. This woman is unknown to our family, and my Ouma didn’t notice her sitting nearby. The kind donor left the doctor’s room before the kindness was even revealed.

Well, my Ouma immediately burst into tears, which set off the receptionist and the nearby sister. Between the three of them, they spoke words of thanks and praised God for putting this woman in my Ouma’s path.

As my Ouma relayed this story through tears of gratitude to the family, I could not contain my own tears. I felt overcome by gratitude, and a desperate need to say thank you bloomed within me. I wanted to thank this kind person who unknowingly took the sting out of a very stressful day.

So, to the woman who performed this act of kindness, your generosity has touched our family. We are truly grateful for you and your actions, showing support in a moment of need and leaving my Ouma feeling blessed beyond measure. Our family will look back on this moment for years to come and send you words of thanks each time. You have blessed us, and for that, we bless you too!

My aunts have shared their messages of thanks, too, hoping that this kind of person sees what kind of impact they made!

“To the person/couple that paid for my mom’s doctor visit after her medical aid was depleted, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I think for my mom; it is not just about the money but also about the gesture and the knowledge that there are still good people out there. She was very down and worried, and this made the weight a lot lighter. I will definitely pay it forward in some way.” – Aunty DD

“No good deed goes unnoticed and one day a stone will be rolled out of their path as well.” – Aunty A

“I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for showing such kindness and love towards a total stranger. You absolutely made my mom’s day (and mine) by showing that we can still have faith in human kindness. I have no words other than THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and may you be BLESSED IN ABUNDANCE for this amazing act of kindness. We will definitely use your example and pay it forward.” – Aunty T

Ouma ended off wanting to share a message of her own, saying, “I pray that God will bless her abundantly for her good deed.”

Sources: GTG 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

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

The post To the Anonymous Person Who Paid My Ouma’s Medical Bill, Thank You! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Thanks to a great opportunity, Sachin Padayachee embarked on a journey that took him all the way to the U21 national team.

Gqeberha, South Africa (16 October 2024) – An opportunity through Gqeberha charity organisation United Through Sport has seen Madibaz hockey star Sachin Padayachee embark on a journey that took him all the way to the U21 national team.

Most recently, the sport management student was a member of the self-same SA U21 team that shocked the major hockey provinces by capturing the interprovincial title in Johannesburg last month.

Following that tournament, Padayachee retained his place in the national squad for the Junior Africa Cup in Namibia from November 30 to December 8.

Success there will see the South Africans qualify for the Junior World Cup in 2025.

The 20-year-old’s path from junior school to this point is an interesting one.

“Trying out hockey was the newest thing for me at the time as no one in my family, I knew of, played,” Padayachee recalled.

“It was only a year later that I discovered that my mom had played back in the day for a Gelvandale team called the Panthers.”

Under the enthusiastic tutelage of coach Eric Jacobs, the young sportsman learnt to enjoy the sport during his primary school years.

“He was an amazing coach who helped me develop a feel for the game,” Padayachee said.

“My enjoyment also came from wanting a new challenge and trying to perfect my skills in a sport. I was a football player at the time.”

The centre-link and left-back added that it became even more fun when his friends, too, started taking up hockey.

The life-changing moment came in Grade 7 when he and a friend were chosen for a programme presented by UTS, a charity that provides opportunities for formerly disadvantaged persons.

“In the middle of that year, United Through Sport formed a hockey team to participate in a tournament at Alexander Road High,” Padayachee said.

Little did they know that the tournament was, in fact, a trial for scholarships to Alex.

Several weeks later, the Gqeberha school phoned his parents to offer him one from 2018.

“This was a major turning point in my life because, at the time, my parents could not afford to send me to a school of that level.

“Being at Alex provided me with a chance to improve my hockey within a good sporting system.”

He quickly slotted into the U14A team before graduating to the first team, which he captained in his matric year in Grade 9.

His journey came full circle when he was named the school’s best senior male player in his final year.

This trail of success translated into a bursary from Mandela University, where the now second-year student is a co-captain of the Madibaz premier league team alongside Zaakir Ensal.

Representing Eastern Province at the national U21 tournament in Johannesburg this April proved to be the doorway to the national team for Padayachee.

Five members of his team were invited to an SA U21 training camp afterwards, following which a squad of 18 were selected for the national team.

“It was held over three days in Pretoria in July and I was the only one from EP named in the squad. It was an extremely proud moment for me.”

Source: Supplied

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Brad Cox has done it! He has gone on to win the World Rally2 Championship in Morocco after a gruelling yet fulfilling race.

Morocco (15 October 2024) – After an exemplary year in MotoSports, South African Brad Cox (26) has achieved his goal after being crowned the World Rally2 Champion in the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc, World Rally-Raid Championship last weekend. Brad, who races for BAS World KTM Racing, scored a double whammy by winning the rally and the title in Morocco, snatching the championship from Romain Dumontier (Team Honda) with Konrad Dąbrowski (Duust Rally) coming third.

His exceptional achievement caught the attention of the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, Gayton McKenzie, who took to social media to congratulate the young competitor, saying:

“26-year-old South African Bradley Cox has won the World Rally 2 Rally Raid Championship for 2024. This is really fitting because next year we are hosting the big one, W2RC, in SA.”

The Minister is referencing the fact that South Africa is set to host the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) from 18 to 24 May 2025 in North West and Limpopo. The event will feature diverse terrain, with the race route traversing bushveld plateaus, river crossings, and savannah plains in the areas of Sun City, Thabazimbi, and the agricultural heart of North West.

Excitement is mounting for the event following Brad’s impressive win on his new 2025 KTM 450 Rally Factory Replica – as a privateer rather than a factory rider – which is made even more special by the fact that friend and mentor, Ross Branch (Botswana) won the RallyGP World Championship in Morocco. RallyGP is the top moto class, with riders and manufacturers eligible for the World Championship in FIM rankings. This class is only open to the most experienced competitors while Rally2 is available to any rider not yet considered RallyGP. With his recent victory, Brad will now compete in the next Dakar Rally in the RallyGP class.

Speaking after the event, Brad, who shares his passion for the sport with his father, the ex-KTM factory rider, Alfie Cox, said:

“Coming in I was down eight points and while there was a chance to be champion, really the week had to fall perfectly for me and it did. From the start, I had my goal set and put my head down, knowing that for the next five days I would do whatever it takes to win – and that’s what happened! Every day I got better and better.

“Having the title ‘World Champion’ next to your name is great, and I’m really proud. Proud of the effort it took and the sacrifices to get to this point. It’s not just me, it’s my team, my family, my sponsors…it’s a massive group effort and to have it payoff is amazing. Now we get ready for Dakar. This is a building block and has given me the confidence, and hopefully, Dakar can go as well as this week has!”

Commenting on Brad’s performance, Bart van der Velden, the BAS World KTM Racing Team Manager, said,

“It was great to see that all the training and hard work he’s put in over the last few years has paid off. In the past year-and-a-half, Brad has taken big steps in his navigation and his training. It’s been a lot of effort so everyone in the team is really happy for him. I’m confident in the upcoming Dakar. Morocco was a test – the first outing on the new bike – and we’re all so happy it worked out.”

Earlier this year, Brad competed in the Dakar Rally, which was described as one of the most challenging races on record, where he put on an impressive performance in the Rally2 category, finishing 13th overall in the Bike Category. He was also the only South African to make it to the Top 20 overall in the contest.

Brad was able to compete with the help of generous sponsors who were committed to backing his racing dream. These included Toyota Gazoo Racing, ASP international rope access, Bas World KTM Racing Team, Leader Tread, Trollope Mining, Face First Media, PSlaser Racing, KTM South Africa, Airoh Helmets, Gaerne Boots, Shot Racing, TRP Distributors, 100%, USN, USWE, and Red Bull.

Source: 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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