Charity Begins With Me’s children’s Christmas book drive is off to the most cheerful start, thanks to a kind author!

Johannesburg, South Africa (22 October 2024) — Just last week, we told our readers that Charity Begins With Me was on the hunt for 1,500 books as part of its children’s Christmas Book Drive. Today, we’re happy to report that support has already come their way jingling, largely thanks to the kindness of an author!

Stephan Ferreira shared the good news that shortly after posting about the book collection, he received a message from Reinette Lombard; an author of the Tippie Books!

Tippie is a character, elephant, and educator who helps children learn to read, supported by visual aids (cute illustrations) loved by teachers and students alike. For Charity Begins With Me, receiving boxes of Tippie books was not only perfect for one mission (making sure children in underprivileged communities have gifts to open) but also for helping their literacy journeys.

Considerately, the donated books are in the children’s home language.

The gesture facilitated by Reinette has certainly made this Christmas one for Charity Begins With Me to look forward to. But the call for more book donations is still loud!

Books will be collected until 30 November. Drop-offs can be made at Fairlands in Johannesburg, or books can be couriered via PostNet.

Everyone looking to gift a book for Christmas can contact Stephan here!

Sources: Charity Begins With Me

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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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For 10 years, the Nuts & Bolts Rally has united petrolheads to put their wheels to the test for charity. In celebration of this decade-anniversary, drivers are making this year’s rally extra-epic, including ‘wild-child’ dad Tony Brand (a 77-year-young man on a mission), who hopes that he and his jalopy will make a huge difference.

South Africa (18 October 2024) — At 77-years-young, Nicci Brand’s ‘wild child’ of a dad, Tony, has embarked on a monumental road trip around South Africa as part of the ever-epic and charity-driven Nuts & Bolts Rally!

A rally for charity that’s been revving engines since 2014 as founded by Pieter Andersen, the Nuts &Bolts Rally’s mission was established both as a fundraising opportunity and as a metaphor for the experiences charities face.

Like time spent on long road trips where roads are often fierce, a charity’s journey is fledged with unpredictability, bumps, and countless moments wondering whether the fuel will see them through to the next pitstop. But, as anyone who has been on an epic road trip knows, so many of the challenges are evened out by good company—exactly what the friends of the Nuts & Bolts Rally hope to be to their selected charities.

Ballies, in their jalopies, have united time and time again to support worthy causes through their quirky wheels. This year, they’ve tackled various Rallies from April that have seen them take to the Garden Route, Northern Cape and the Western Cape.

 

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But, for their decade anniversary, they’re tackling a biggie. It’s a mission brimming with adventure for the participants—golden-hearted petrolheads. Their hope, once all engines are off and the job is done, is that they each would’ve raised significant funds for four charities: the United Cerebral Palsy Association of South Africa, the Smile Foundation, CHOC and Goldilocks and The Bear Foundation (GB4ADHD). And they’re doing it through a road trip around South Africa!

Enter Tony Brand, AKA the Brandpa. The elder participant (and the only one who hasn’t faced mechanical issues, he might add), Tony, is driving his VW Kombi 6,450 km across South Africa to quite literally rally support for the aforementioned charities.

His hope is to raise R50,000 in sponsorships to support children facing a spectrum of challenges across our country.

Rally participants are booked to reach the end of their adventure at the end of the month, as Nicci shares, with Cape Town as their end-point. Here, their cheques will be handed over, and the making a difference part of the long drive can begin!

Those looking to add a little jet fuel to Tony’s mission can make donations in the following way:

Bank: FNB Malmesburg

Account Name: More Than Adventure

Account Number: 62682910015

Reference: Tony324

Proof of Payment: info@nutsandboltsrally.co.za

Sources: Email 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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Senior shelter dog Ray has waited almost half his lifetime for a forever home. But, just a day ago, his wait came to a heartwarming end as he joined a new family at long last!

Fourways, South Africa (15 October 2024) — It’s been a long road home for senior dog Ray, who has waited nearly five years for a family to call his own. But, as the saying goes, ‘Every dog has its day’, and Ray’s day came at long last ever so recently when the senior good boy was finally picked as the perfect addition to a new family!

Ray was born in 2015; which means by the time his wait began, he was already an older dog. And when you’re an older dog, every month (never mind, every year) counts significantly in a shelter.

Choosing to adopt senior dogs takes a special kind of family. It means patience and the acceptance that you won’t have all that long with them. But man, oh man, is there something to be said about giving a dog—who has waited a huge part of their life for a home—their golden years in full glory. 

Ray will get to enjoy the rest of his days with a big garden, ‘two doting humans’ and even a furry girlfriend called Jazz, as his former shelter Paws R Us: SA happily share.

For his shelter, which is based in Fourways, Ray’s adoption by Maureen and Peter mattered not just for the pooch but the fate of their shelter as a whole.

As the shelter explains, they are currently facing a ‘race against time’. Because their boarding facility is a private business and will reach its peak capacity in December and January, their shelter dogs need to move to create space for more incoming ‘client dogs’. As such, they have upped the ante on their adoption posts immensely.

Their goal is to get down to 60 dogs by 1 December should their wishes for multiple adoptions be granted.

As such, they are calling on dog lovers across Gauteng to spread the word about their dogs in need of a home. Some of these pooches are like Ray and have waited a lifetime to leave camp.

Whether this means playing foster parent, simply sharing the news with someone looking to add a pooch to their lives or adopting yourself, the more people who get involved and connect dogs in need to their communities, the better!

You can keep up with Paws R Us: SA here.

Sources: Paws R Us: SA 

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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 Senior Good Boy Ray Gets Adopted After Nearly 5 Long Years! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources: Email Submission

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

In just two days, South Africans raised essential funds for wheelchair rugby player Musa to get a new wheelchair! A campaign started by his coach Ilan, who feared Musa’s chair would fall apart any day now, the effort has been nothing short of a whirlwind success:

Johannesburg, South Africa (11 October 2024) — A young man named Musa can usually be found beaming with an infectious smile. A rugby lover, enthusiastic character and dedicated teammate, it’s almost easy to forget that Musa’s life has been fledged with difficulty.

Musa is wheelchair-bound due to polio. An orphan who has never been to school, he also does not know the joy of reading or writing. Finding work, too, is a struggle for him, on top of all the day-to-day difficulties that come with a world on wheels. But his happiness comes from the same place it does for many South Africans—rugby.

Musa is a member of a wheelchair rugby team in Mandeville, where he plays under the dedicated guidance of coach Ilan Guest.

Susan Schaum, who put the story on Good Things Guy’s radar, said that Ilan has been coaching the team for many years. Ilan also understands Musa’s plight in a personal way due to his own brother being wheelchair-bound.

“He is a selfless and generous individual,” Susan tells Good Things Guy.

Ilan explains that despite all of Musa’s challenges, he still pushes the 10km round trip on busy roads to get to practice every week. Missing practice is a rare thing for Musa, even with a wheelchair that is on its last wheels.

Musa’s wheelchair was broken. As Ilan explained, “The frame is cracked. No welding can salvage it. At some stage it will collapse with him in it, heaven forbid on a busy road and far from help.”

Inspired by Musa and determined to lighten his load, Ilan initiated a crowdfunding campaign to help get Musa ‘the best chair he has ever had’.

And, in a remarkable turn for Musa, this crowdfunding campaign was met with overwhelming support. In just two days, Musa’s campaign was fully funded by people all over South Africa, many of whom shared love, support and words of encouragement.

But the momentum didn’t stop there. Musa’s campaign kept going, to the point where in 3 days, it has surpassed its target at a current total of R42,150 (the original goal was R30,000).

This means that Musa will now have extra funds that will be aimed at adult-based learning and other essentials like shoes, a backpack, axles and tyres.

The way South Africa came together for Musa is nothing short of remarkable and goes down as a feat akin to any Springbok victory in our books!

Sources: Email Submission; BackaBuddy

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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 South Africa Unites for Musa’s New Wheelchair; Success in Just 2 Days! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Limpopo School has been going strong for nearly 20 years.

Limpopo, South Africa (10 October 2024) — The Vhutshilo Mountain School in Tshikombani village, about 30 km west of Thohoyandou in Limpopo, has been looking after HIV/AIDS orphans since 2002.

The school was founded by Sue Ann (Suzi) Cook, a factory worker from Shayandima. She noticed the plight of women, particularly grandmothers, who could not go to work because they had to care for children whose parents had died of AIDS. This was before antiretroviral (ARV) treatment was widely available. Cook was especially concerned about the young children who needed daytime care.

Cook transformed the caravan she lived in at Thathe Vondo into a pre-school, resigned from her job and started caring for the children, helping with transport, meals, clothing and medical care. She launched a gardening programme to provide fresh vegetables, distributed food parcels to families, and established the village’s first paediatric ARV programme.

Her work caught the attention of Professor Fraser McNeill, head of the anthropology department at the University of Pretoria. McNeill was conducting research on HIV/AIDS-related issues.

“Grandmothers were under stress as they had to work while taking care of sick children. It was difficult for them to administer the children’s medication regularly, and some were forgetting,” McNeill said.

McNeill shared the story of the school with his church congregation in Scotland, asking them to raise funds. In 2005, the Inverclyde congregation of the Church of Scotland built a two-classroom school at Tshikombani.

Among those who have supported the school over the years are Monica McNeill and her husband, Les. At the beginning of the month the couple visited the school from Scotland to mark their 50th wedding anniversary. A signboard was unveiled, acknowledging the Church of Scotland and specifically the McNeill family for their contributions.

Over the years, countless success stories have emerged from the Vhutshilo Mountain School, with many former students pursuing higher education and successful careers. Many return to mentor current pupils.

The school currently accommodates 130 pupils, ranging from toddlers aged one to three to Grade 2 pupils (aged seven to eight years).

Since its official opening in 2005, the school has also started admitting other learners who pay school fees, helping to break the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Most of the children come from nearby villages such as Dopeni and Fondwe.

The school offers a range of programmes including psychosocial support services, counselling and peer support groups to help children cope with the loss of their parents and the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

Khathu Nemafhohoni, the school’s director, said the school’s role extends beyond education. Staff also visit the children at their homes. She said shortages of funds limit the school’s ability to accommodate more children.

Cook died in 2018. “Suzi started with nothing. The Church of Scotland built on her inspiration,” said McNeill.

This story is published in association with the Limpopo Mirror.

Sources: GroundUp

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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 Vhutshilo Mountain School Offers Lifeline to AIDS Orphans appeared first on Good Things Guy.

South Africans have an extraordinary way of turning small acts of kindness into life-changing moments, and a car guard’s unexpected hospital visit is a shining example of just how deeply we care for one another.

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 October 2024) – South Africans are inherently kind, aren’t we? Beneath the daily hustle and bustle, we have a nation brimming with warmth, kindness, and a heart that never stops giving. No matter the challenges, we somehow find ways to uplift one another, offering small acts of humanity that ripple out into much bigger things. And here’s a perfect story that highlights that very spirit.

Marian Gray-Wilson shared a story on social media that beautifully encapsulates this sense of community. It’s a simple yet heartwarming story about a car guard named Guy – or “Gee” as some call him – who noticed one of his regular “customers” wasn’t around and decided to check in on him. But this wasn’t just any check-in; it was an extraordinary act of kindness.

In South Africa, car guards play an essential role in everyday life, especially in shopping centres and busy parking areas. They keep an eye on vehicles while their owners are away, ensuring safety in exchange for a small tip or gesture of appreciation. Beyond providing a valuable service, the car guard role also helps create employment in a country facing harrowing unemployment rates. Though often seen as informal work, it offers a lifeline to many, helping them support their families and become part of the community. In many cases, like Guy’s, these bonds go beyond a transaction, leading to incredible acts of humanity.

Samantha, the granddaughter of 84-year-old Gavin, often took her grandpa shopping at Karaglen, where they parked on the Woolies side. Guy always greeted them with enthusiasm and warmth despite knowing they didn’t always have cash to tip him. In place of a few coins, Samantha would occasionally buy him a loaf of bread or a drink – that small gesture became a symbol of their growing bond.

Unfortunately, Gavin fell ill and was admitted to Edenvale hospital. On Samantha’s next visit to the shops, she was alone, and Guy immediately noticed. He asked where Gavin was, and she told him that her grandpa was in the hospital.

What happened next was completely unexpected.

Guy didn’t just express his concern—he and his wife went to visit Gavin in the hospital! It’s the kind of story that leaves you speechless, a simple loaf of bread and a few kind words blossoming into something far greater.

Samantha shared her thoughts: “He is the most amazing human being. When he asked me on Tuesday what ward Gramps is in, I had no idea he was planning on going to visit him. Just awesome.”

This beautiful gesture sparked an emotional response on social media.

One comment read, “I had a proper cry when Sam told me this story,” while another added, “So moving, many great car guards out there. Love this story!” Yet another follower wrote, “He really is a good things Guy. Well done, Guy, for showing compassion for others. May you be blessed with good things in your future.”

It’s not just about what’s in your wallet—it’s about the heart behind the exchange. And even though we’re often distracted by our own busy lives, moments like these remind us just how much kindness and connection matter.

South Africa is a place where even the smallest gestures, like a loaf of bread or a visit to a hospital, can lead to the biggest acts of humanity.

Sources: Marian Gray-Wilson 

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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 Car Guard’s Heartfelt Hospital Visit Shows True South African Kindness appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary’s darling rhino, Daisy, recently received a special visit from none other than Siya Kolisi and Kwagga Smith! As it turns out, the Boks back the rhinos as much as South Africa backs the Boks:

South Africa (02 October 2024) — From larger-than-life rugby fans who will move heaven and earth to watch a game live to little ones who couldn’t imagine anything more special than meeting the Boks in person, the Springboks are at the top of the list when it comes to matters that hold a space in South African hearts. But, when it comes to who holds a special place in the Boks’ hearts, South Africans compete with an extra special group—the rhinos part of Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary!

You might know Care for Wild for many incredible rhino-led feel-good stories in conservation. Well, so do the Springboks.

In a special shoutout to the Boks ahead of their victory game against Argentina last weekend, Care for Wild told their audience something special.

“Whenever they’re in the area, the Springboks always make time to check in on our rhino orphans, showing a deep understanding of the power of raising global awareness for conservation,” shared the Sanctuary.

“Like us, they are fiercely passionate about the fight to save rhinos from extinction,” they added.

After the Boks’ triumph, one of their first stops was to none other than Care for Wild, where Siya Kolisi and Kwagga Smith made an early morning pitstop just to visit darling rhino, Daisy!

For Siya and Daisy, it was nothing short of a heartwarming reunion.

“Siya first met Daisy when she was just a few months old, and she immediately connected to him, gravitating toward his calm and compassionate energy. Daisy holds a special place in his heart and Daisy still remembers him!” Care for Wild explained.

“The future of rhinos is a shared responsibility, and having a team like the Springboks standing with us is truly game-changing. Stronger together!” 

You can find out more about all the Sanctuary’s incredible work that’s giving our rhinos a more hopeful future here.

Sources: Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

The post The Boks Back the Rhinos at Care for Wild Sanctuary!  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Two women are tackling an all-inspiring cross-country adventure from Johannesburg to Cape Town in a bid to help raise funds for education opportunities!

South Africa (01 October 2024) — Earlier this year, Good Things Guy told you the story of how an incredible community came together in love and beads to honour the life of a precious teenager who they’d lost at the start of 2024. She was a bright light named Jade.

Jade had lost her life at just 16 years old. The shock of the situation rippled through Kenton on Sea. But, instead of isolating in the way grief lends itself to, these people came together for her family and for each other.

’Beads for Jade’ became a way for the people of Kenton on Sea to connect. Together, people sat and made necklaces in honour of the teenager who used to make her own jewellery. The proceeds helped provide grief counselling for those closest to Jade and in many ways, helped people heal by channelling something Jade loved to do.

Many months later, Jade’s mom, Tanya Prinsloo, is doing something incredible for her own healing that also doubles as a way to support young South African communities through education, all in honour of special Jade.

When Tanya’s friend Roxi Smith, an endurance athlete, decided to sign up for Mad2Run, she knew that Tanya had to be a part of it.

“I knew exactly who had to come on this healing journey with me…Tanya,” shares Roxi.

“After a really bad start to 2024, losing my eldest daughter in a horrible car accident, I decided I needed a challenge,” says Tanya.

As such, Mad2Run became the challenge in question.

For those who don’t know, Mad2Run is an epic cross-country adventure initiative that aims to raise funds for the Make a Difference Leadership Foundation (MAD) by tackling a 24-hour relay-style run from Joburg to Cape Town.

Initiated in 2012 by a group of friends, Mad2Run has grown to inspire runners and rookies across South Africa—all whilst making a massive difference for education support and opportunities. In fact, they have raised over R8 million in their time!

“I didn’t want to just go and run, I wanted an adventure whilst making a difference,” says Roxi.

“I feel education is very important and if we can raise enough money running from Johannesburg to Cape Town to help people who can’t afford to send their kids to school then I’m very happy to do it,” adds Tanya.

The countdown is 9 days until D-Day at the time of this article’s writing. But, you don’t have to wait that long to support the big run! Find Tanya and Roxi’s GivenGain campaign and support the worthy cause, here.

Sources: Email Submission; GTG; GivenGain 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

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

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

The post Tanya and Roxi Tackle a Cross-country Adventure for Education! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

All Cornelle wished for ahead of her wedding day was the chance to see her husband waiting for her at the aisle. In a story encompassing romance, unity and proudly South Africa support, this bride-to-be has gotten the wedding gift of a lifetime: her sight!

Berlin, Germany (30 September 2024) — Most brides tend to have a few requests and wishes before their big days. But one South African bride-to-be named Cornelle Leach had a unique wish that no wedding registry could hold a candle to: the gift of seeing her soon-to-be husband on their wedding day.

Cornelle has Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy. It’s a debilitating retinal disease that has made her centrally blind to the point that she had 0% vision—meaning she’d never actually seen her fiancé before.

The two have navigated life through Cornelle’s struggle. For her, Russel’s been the guiding light of her mind’s eye.

“Amid the darkness, I found a beacon of light in the form of love,” Cornelle says.

“I am blessed to have found the man of my dreams, Russell, who sees beyond my impairment and stands by my side unwaveringly.”

When Russel’s family discovered Fedorov Vision Restoration Therapy, an institution in Berlin that could help Cornelle, magic and miracles married.

The institution could be the one that gifted Cornelle her sight again—no sure bet at the time, but a damn good one.

Cornelle started a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to rally support for her chance. Even though she knew it might not work, she placed her bets on hope.

As the word spread, her story caught the attention of the likes of renowned local fashion designer, Gert-Johan Coetzee and famed comedian, Schalk Bezuidenhout.

Gert kindly offered to make Cornelle’s wedding dress and encouraged support for her while Schalk got to sharing the ‘bride to see’s’ story (his apt reference to Cornelle) with his own audience and as many people as possible.

What had staggered in support soon became a whirlwind of it, and by August, the institute for her treatment was paid for and the flights to Berlin, booked!

Both Schalk and Cornelle simply couldn’t believe how quickly South Africans responded to the call for support. In a matter of days, the impossible had become its counterpart.

“I have never been so proud to be a South African,” Cornelle shared.

“It was the effort of a lot of people giving the little amounts of what they could,” said Schalk.

In the update South Africa had been waiting for, Schalk met up with Cornelle in Berlin on the last day of her treatment in late September—an encounter they attribute to fate since he just happened to be in town for a show.

There, Cornelle revealed the incredible news that the treatment was a success! Moreover, it had even started working earlier than anticipated, doubling the amount of active cells in her retina already. The biggest joy of all? She got to see her love for the very first time.

“It has made such an impact on me and I don’t have words to express my gratitude because it’s not everyday when a girl can get her sight back or at least get the opportunity to,” Cornelle said in reference to everyone who helped her, near and far.

We’re sure her wedding day on 11 January will be the happy ending to a story that certainly deserves its own movie. But it’s also a one-of-a-kind reminder that sometimes truth isn’t just stranger than fiction, it can also be far more beautiful.

Sources: Schalk Bezuidenhout; BackaBuddy

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