Not only are the ‘Granny Grommets’ legends in the world of rookie wave catching, but they’re also playing their part to keep our beaches beautiful in a big way!

Buffalo City, South Africa (05 March 2024) — In the Eastern Cape, the Granny Grommets who frequent Nahoon Point Nature Reserve ‘Corner’ are legends in the world of rookie wave catching. Every Friday morning, the Granny Grommets—a community of women who are all over 50—unite to boogie (with their boards), catch waves, and ride the idea that being over 50 is by no means indicates its time to stop learning new things or making new friends (and having fun while you do).

 

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Started by Lee-Ann Lavender and Julie Schroeter, the local ‘Grommets’ (which refers to being a newbie in surfing) are just as inspiring as their global counterparts. Yes, you can find Granny Grommets in other parts of the world, like Australia. But, whether they’re near or far, the ‘Grommet Movement’s ‘message of kicking stereotypes in the ass is spreading. And, it’s inspiring many people to make having fun a much bigger part of the sunset years. In fact, some Granny Grommets have even inspired children’s books in their honour, like ‘Granny Grommet and Me’ by Dianne Wolfer!

However, in exciting news for the local ladies and their larger Eastern Cape community, they are doing their part to help their favourite beaches get their blue flag status by adding beach clean-ups to their Friday Fun.

This, to support community clean-up volunteer organisation Tidy Towns Buffalo City, and inspire more people to do their part for the public spaces that make so much joy possible.  Not only this, but the Granny Grommets have decided to sponsor Tidy Towns Buffalo City volunteer, Phineas Chisanga who helps look after Nahoon Corner, per Green Ripple.

A fun-loving community spreading a fabulous message and change for the environment? We know exactly what group we’re signing up to when we hit 50!

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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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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From Kimberley to the world, skateboarder Damian Bramley is making epic moves on international skateboarding paths as he guns for his spot at the Paris Olympics!

Kimberley, South Africa (28 February 2024) — 23-year-old Damian Bramley, a local skateboarder who calls Kimberley home, is showing off his skateboarding skills to the world as he participates in the World Skateboarding Tour Dubai Park & Street 2024!

Damian’s talent with wheels caught a lot of attention at the Kimberley Diamond Cup; so much so that the provincial government has gotten on board (pun intended) in backing their lad.

Taking place until 3 March in Dubai, the World Skateboarding Tour could be Damian’s ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event will be a segue to the next stage of qualifiers for Olympic qualification set to take place in Shanghai and Budapest later this year.

“Competing at the World Skateboarding Tour Dubai Park & Street 2024 is a dream come true for me. The opportunity to compete against the best in the world and earn a spot in the Paris Olympics is something I’ve worked tirelessly for, and I’m grateful for the support of my community and the provincial government,” Damian shared. 

Skateboarding as an Olympic event only made its debut in Tokyo in 2021, which means it is still a relatively fresh discipline at the most prestigious games. Seeing a South African wave our flag in this sense is hugely exciting, as is Damian’s journey to get there.

Sources: Northern Cape Department Finance, Economic Development and Tourism 

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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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After a community in Kenton-on-Sea lost a precious teenager, they united to help her family and friends heal in a way Jade would’ve adored. Through Beads for Jade, they have been able to provide grief counselling, community support, and an incredible way to honour Jade’s impactful life:

Kenton-on-Sea, South Africa (23 February 2024) — On 01 January, a small coastal town in the Eastern Cape experienced one of the toughest things any community will go through. A beacon of light named Jade, lost her life at just 16 years old after she was knocked over by a car while crossing the road.

As community member Warren Gibson tells Good Things Guy:

“She was a shining light in the community, it’s affected all of us as she was loved by everyone.

“Jade was loud and friendly. Caring and honest. Kind and helpful. Incredibly creative and hard-working and spent hours beading her own range of necklaces. She was the first at any charity event/fundraiser/community upliftment opportunity.”

When incidents like this shatter a close-knit community, it can be so incredibly tough to put the pieces back together. But, as Warren shares, this community have found a way in a very literal sense.

Jade used to make her own beaded jewellery and sell it in shops like the one Warren and his wife have (where Jade also used to work). Continuing what Jade started, friends of hers began their healing process by beading and being together. All in her honour, bead by bead and piece by piece, they have managed to put together beautiful necklaces while piecing their collective hearts together again.

 

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One Saturday, teenagers and adults sat making the necklaces. Soon, it became a weekly thing. Making these pieces of jewellery has honoured Jade in a way her friends are sure she would’ve adored. And by selling them, the makers have been able to provide grief counselling for her family and friends.

Where grief often has a way of isolating us, Beads for Jade is a reminder as to why coming together matters so much.

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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Pola Maneli, a Gqeberha artist got his big break unexpectedly. Now, his work has graced the cover of  New York’s most famous magazine and was sold to an Oscar-winning director!

Global (09 February 2024) — Pola Maneli’s work has travelled a long way from the Eastern Cape. For the Gqeberha artist who decided to post some of his university work on social media, what would come thereafter was a whirlwind of unexpected moments.

After the Qqeberha artist shared an editorial illustration project that he did for his degree on Instagram, the ‘calls’ from New York came.

“I got a random email from the New Yorker for an illustration for a piece in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in 2020 in the US,” Pola shared in speaking to his former University, Nelson Mandela University.

The New Yorker (New York City’s most famous magazine) loved what he created, and soon more illustration opportunities came, including the biggest yet.

In 2023, the artist got the chance to be part of creating one of the most iconic magazine covers, which featured Dr Martin Luther King for the annual MLK edition. A ton of thoughts surrounding socio-political discourse went into the creation, but Pola chose to spotlight a very important side to the historical figure that isn’t always spotlighted: that of being a father and a husband. A human.

 

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Not only was the cover a big success, but it also caught the attention of THE Spike Lee. The oscar-winning director ended up calling Pola in what he describes to have been a “wild, wild, experience.”

“He told me that he’d like to purchase the original drawing of the cover.” 

Not to mention, Spike Lee also went on to put Pola’s work into an art exhibition in Brooklyn.

 

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Of his interaction with Spike Lee and gratitude to The New Yorker, Pola shared:

“We spoke about Johannesburg, art, politics, Brooklyn, and his ties to Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s family and his love for Morehouse College. Later, he purchased the original pen and graphite drawing of my New Yorker Cover, and i was content for that to be the end of the story.

“But, in keeping with his generous spirit, he’s included that piece in his Brooklyn museum exhibition, ‘creative sources’, a look into his history, passions, and sources of inspiration. insane. grateful beyond words to spike, the Brooklyn Museum, and the folks over at the New Yorker Magazine’s art department for the countless opportunities.”

Today, Pola celebrates having been in multiple publications including The Atlantic and the New York Times, as well as a ‘Google Doodle’. Despite his work being all over the world, he still calls Gqeberha home and has made his university, community and young artists from South Africa looking up to him, incredibly proud.

Moral of the story? Do not be afraid to post your work on social media—you never know where it might take you!

You can keep up with Pola’s art here.

Sources: Nelson Mandela University 

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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 fresh veggie ‘Love Garden’ has found a new home at the Khanyisa School for the Blind where it will help the KwaDwesi community grow!

Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa (09 February 2024) — Well-loved community champion non-profit ‘Love Story’ recently shared some exciting news taking root at the Khanyisa School for the Blind.

A fresh vegetable garden (affectionately known as a ‘Love Garden’) is set to give the KwaDwesi community more food security with the goal of becoming a hub for ingredients.

It will help serve the community soup kitchen and also give children at the school a chance to interact with nature in one of the most practical ways as they learn gardening and permaculture skills.

Love Story NPO are wonderfully active in various feeding activities in PE that include dispersing ingredients to and running soup kitchens, gifting families in need groceries through Buckets of Blessings as well as their Love Gardens and Love Sandwiches initiatives.

As the NPO shares, the Eastern Cape faces the highest number of social grants given to children under the age of 12 as they are below the poverty line. This, however, can mean only a ration of food a day.

By helping out from farm to table, they are slowly serving solutions!

Meanwhile, in other food garden news, Charity Begins With Me’s humble food garden has triumphed despite the challenges it faced, and CBWM is looking for colder-season vegetable seeds to start planning for winter. You can get involved with seed donations here. 

Sources: Love Story 

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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 massive milestone in conservation has been achieved thanks to the relocation of 160 vultures in the Eastern Cape! The vulture relocation mission is imperative in securing the future of these wild populations in Southern Africa:

Eastern Cape, South Africa (23 January 2024) — The first phase of a project to secure the future of wild vulture populations in Southern Africa has successfully been completed with 160 Cape and African White-backed vultures settled at Shamwari Private Game Reserve—their new home.

The birds are the vanguard of a two-year project to establish a breeding facility, VulPro (the only vulture conservation organisation of its kind in Africa founded by Kerri Wolter) at Shamwari, for sick or injured vultures that have been rehabilitated and are able to breed, but aren’t releasable. Future hopes are that the offspring of the Cape Vultures will be released at Shamwari where they will help restore the indigenous fauna on the reserve.

In what is the largest relocation of vultures ever undertaken, the birds were transported 1042km from VulPro’s facility in Hartebeespoort to their new bespoke enclosures at Shamwari.

The move involved over 50 people and took 18 hours. All 160 birds loaded in just 3 hours. NGO WeWild Africa, who specialises in animal rewilding and translocation, made sure the loading went smoothly and funded the crates!

Other everyday heroes involved were Professor Katja Koeppel from the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Dr Johan Joubert from Shamwari.

This is the beginning of more good news to come, with a second phase on the horizon later this year. Then, the relocation of breeding pairs of non-releasable, Lappet-faced, White-headed and Hooded Vultures and some White-backed Vultures will be part of the second big release.

What is Causing Widespread Population Collapse of These Savanna Raptors?

According to a study recently published in Nature, Ecology & Evolution by Dr Phil Shaw, raptors, including vultures, are at “considerable risk from habitat conversion, prey-base depletion and persecution, driven principally by human population expansion.”

Why is This Conservation Milestone so Important?

Joe Colette, Shamwari’s CEO puts it succinctly:

“To put it in perspective, in conservation terms I consider this as significant as relocating 160 rhino. Vultures are vital for a healthy ecosystem and are severely threatened. I cannot overstate how reintroducing Cape Vultures to Shamwari is crucial to our conservation journey and enhancing the ecological importance of the reserve and the Eastern Cape.”

Watch the Relocation Mission!

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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Barber Keolan Hewitt knows that it’s tough being born in Janu-worry. So, for his birthday, he decided he wanted to bet on a different kind of wish list. Earlier this month as the new school year loomed, he decided to offer free haircuts to children in his neighbourhood with a wish to bring about change one fresh cut at a time. The result was joy for hundreds:

Eastern Cape, South Africa (19 January 2024) — As parents and children get back into the swing of school and many celebrate their first day as done and dusted, one barber made sure that over a hundred children got to attend school looking their very best at no cost to their parents.

Keolan Hewitt’s free haircut initiative was his birthday gift to the children of South Africa. Without bows or wrapping paper, his gift made 150 children smile, gave hundreds of parents relief, and inspired even more members of his community with his kindness.

“We live in the kasi, so there’s a lot of money shortages and people can’t always afford to pay for things such as haircuts as it is an unnecessary expense to some, but living in 2024, it takes a mental toll on most underprivileged children,” Keolan tells Good Things Guy. 

“My birthday was on 7 January, and I wanted to celebrate it a bit different. People always expect gifts, and birthday wishes, but I was born in a month where money wasn’t always around.

“I always thought that birthday gifts come in boxes and packages, but I didn’t know that it comes with being alive, being grateful, and being aware of one’s blessings. I looked around my room and saw that I have a roof over my head, not a lot of food to eat but there are those with less. Clothes on my body. I suddenly became more gateful and then had this idea—that instead of expecting things from people, let me do something nice for someone.

I immediately thought of cutting hair, but I had to write down the idea to make it stick. I quickly grabbed my phone and didn’t think twice to post of Facebook and invite 150 kids from my neighbourhood to come to my house a day after my birthday and get a free haircut. I was very determined and sure the job could be done, but what I didn’t expect was my post going viral. This was genuinely just a selfless act, and a lesson as well.”

Keolan reached out for assistance from other local barbers—Liam, Duwaine, Robyn and Kylo— who didn’t hesitate to help and shared Keolan’s excitement.

“It was astonishing how many kids really needed a haircut,” he adds. 

Soon, Trinity Baptist Church was brimming with excitement from both the kids, families and barbers.

“I told my mom, ‘Ma, I think God might be using me to do something here, I can feel it,” Keolan recalls. 

For the barber, preparing children to lead the future proudly and confidently can start with something as empowering as a haircut. Because when you look your best, you feel your best.

But, there was also another gift present that day; something Keolan refers to as a lesson that didn’t just impact him, but thousands o people.

“The lesson was ‘give, without expecting’.” 

Overall, 800 children’s hair was cut. 400 girls got their hair done in plats thanks to Theoline Rulf and other helpful hands. A huge difference was made. And all it took was one selfless decision.

Keolan has since founded Guardians of The Youth, where selfless acts are growing and any day is an opportunity to give someone a gift of kindness that money can’t buy.

Sources: GTG Interview

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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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Ten residents have volunteered to rotate guarding the clinic until the stolen fence is replaced

Kariega, South Africa (18 January 2024) — Nurses at Mabandla Clinic in Kariega, Nelson Mandela Bay, returned to work on Wednesday morning. The clinic, which serves about 500 patients daily, has been closed since 11 January after nurses refused to work at the facility due to security concerns after the perimeter fence was stolen.

Last week, nurses told GroundUp they fear for their safety because in the past their colleagues were robbed, and a clinic without a fence would be targeted by criminals.

The nurses’ return to work follows a meeting with about 100 community members on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the clinic’s closure. During the meeting, ten residents volunteered to guard the clinic on a rotational basis.

The meeting was chaired by ward councillor Sabelo Mabuda (ANC).

Lungeka Willams said: “We have a high mast light at the back of the clinic… if it can be fixed, things will be better. When the alarm rang at the clinic, we could see people by looking through the window. But now, the high mast has been dead for years.”

KwaNobuhle CPF chairperson Siphiwo Vusani agreed to donate 15 reflector vests and 15 torches for the volunteer guards. “The police also promised to be visible in the area. As the fence is going to be installed in two months, we must ensure nurses are safe.” he said.

Vusani said there were also schools in KwaNobuhle that needed monitoring. “Let us stand up and save what we have … we don’t have stadiums or halls as they were stripped [by criminals],” he said.

Councillor Mabuda said the clinic staff felt that “things would be much better” if there were security guards.

The volunteer guards were visible at the clinic on Wednesday morning.

Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo told GroundUp that the matter was a top priority for them. “Emergency procurement processes have already ensued to ensure urgent installation of proper boundary fencing,” he said.

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.

kariega

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Grade 11 soccer player Onke from Missionvale has the opportunity of a lifetime after being chosen to represent South Africa and play in the Manchester Cup. Premiere League future in-the-making? Onke’s ready to go for gold!

Missionvale, South Africa (12 January 2024) — Onke Mzozoyana might be from a world with limited opportunities, but his dreams know no bounds.

From a tender age, Onke’s passion for soccer has taught him discipline, hard work and the spirit of dreaming beyond what seems possible. Now, at just 17 years old, he’s got the shot at the opportunity of a lifetime—competing in the Manchester Cup!

Not only is this the chance to compete in one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the world, but it’s also a playing field where dreams can come true. Many scouts will be present to pick the best talents presented from over 45 countries’ teams, and if he gets to Manchester, Onke could be one of them.

Gunning for gold is one thing, but vying for a shot at a new life-fledged with prospects to follow your dreams is another entirely. And Onke’s not backing down on either.

The Manchester Cup will run from 29 to 31 March. For Onke, every moment until then counts as he and his community rally to raise the funds needed.

He will be playing for Proskills Soccer Academy who also happen to be the only South African team accepted to participate in the prestigious cup.

As Marc Manuel, CEO of Proskills weighs in:

“I need not tell you what a massive difference this will make to [Onke’s] future], his family, the city & our national soccer team.”

Sabrina Lambers, General Manager at Missionvale Care Centre, who has been a backbone of great support, explains that they first met Onke early last year for a trip to Sweden. Due to various setbacks and complications involving his visa and unfortunate timing, he didn’t get to compete in the Gothia Cup.

“So we were thrilled when his coach Mark Manual reached out directly to us, with all the information for the trip to Manchester,” she shares.

Together with Lucky Ngamlana, the Centre’s Impumelelo Training and Development Centre Leader, they began formulating a plan to drive support for Onke’s funding.

The young soccer star was eager to get as involved as possible and, as such, started working during the school holidays at a local retailer to pay his way.

Sabrina adds:

“To me it is very important that Onke shows interest in the hustle towards his dream, instead of only relying on us as an organisation to help him out or doing the fundraising for him. I am very happy to report that he is highly motivated and up for any challenge that will bring him closer to his dream of going to Manchester to show the world what he has in store.”

So far, roughly R11,000 of R40,000 has been raised by him and Missionvale Care!

With South Africa’s support behind our player, we might just have the next rising star in soccer waving our flag high.

Anyone able to take this dream off the bench can donate using the details below. International donations can be sent using the information here.

Missionvale Care Centre
Standard Bank
Account number 080364152
Reference “Onke M2M”
or get in touch with info@missionvale.org.za!

Sources: Sabrina Lambers 

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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.

The post Missionvale Possible: Soccer Youth Gets the Shot of a Lifetime  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A Visual Arts Lecturer has showed people that sometimes the most special creations come from starting exactly where you are, with what you have in front of you. As such, she has created gorgeous prints from everyday items like dish soap, candle wax and cool drinks!

Gqeberha, South Africa (10 January 2024) — A clever artist and lecturer from Nelson Mandela University is showing South Africans everywhere that you can do a lot with a little! After two years of research, Jessica Staple’s fine-tuned a method to create art prints from everyday items, leaving jaws on the floor.

Inspired by the toughness of the pandemic in terms of resource and studio access, Jessica found that turning the items most of us keep reserved for the kitchen into important artistic ingredients is a talent in and of itself. And it took a lot of tries to get right. But, thanks to this printmaking lecturer in the Department of Visual Arts’s determination, it is now a wonderfully accessible way for under-resourced artists to practice, create and even generate an income from their printmaking.

The mark-making technique Jessica experimented with is known as planographic printmaking (which, in a nutshell refers to printing on a flat surface). But, with her unique technique, everyday items like groceries become the necessary pieces to the puzzle, and no press is required whatsoever.

This is a hugely exciting development in the printing scene—especially in a country like South Africa, where artistic resources are limited for struggling creatives— as it is proof that creativity and innovation can outdo some of the fanciest tools and materials. Not only this, but it’s a fantastic way to up-cycle materials that may otherwise have turned to waste, like candle wax and tin foil.

“The materials are very basic, like lemon juice, Holsum vegetable fat, green Sunlight soap, Maizena, candle wax and tin foil,” shares Jessica before adding that she uses cool drinks too (this for the phosphoric acid component necessary for the print).

Expressing why she honed this technique, Jessica, who is also a Masters in Visual Arts Cum Laude Graduate from Stellenbosch University shared:

“This exhibition is the result of a love for printmaking, drawing, problem-solving and the people around me.”

She has named the technique, “Monolitho” inspired by the French artist Émilie Aizier’s Kitchen Lithography or Kitchen Litho invention without which, her work largely wouldn’t be possible).

While her works were already exhibited at NMU’s Bird Street Art Gallery, we have no doubt that they have and will continue to inspire all those who come across them digitally to believe that yes, you can make the most with what you’ve got. And yes, it might just be even more special for that reason.

Sources: Nelson Mandela University; Jessica Staple  

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