An incredible show of sportsmanship was placed on full display in a recent cricket match between Rondebosch Boys and Bishops.

Cape Town, South Africa (06 March 2024) – A recent school cricket match ended in a very great result for all; the draw may have been an even split, but it was the sportsmanship that was the win for the day.

Parent Tori Hoffmann contacted Good Things Guy to share a beautiful act of sportsmanship she witnessed over the weekend. She joked that having watched school cricket for the past 5 years, she still doesn’t understand the sport but there was no mistaking what took place at the end of the match.

“On Saturday, I witnessed something that I understood clearly – an “incredible act of sportsmanship by the keeper of the Bishops team,” as stated by Stephen Gersowksky on the Bishops Diocesan Facebook page. While rival school Bishops and Rondebosch Boys’ 2nd XI team were playing against each other on the Cricket A field at Rondebosch Boys High School in the Southern Suburbs, Stephen’s son (who was batting for RBHS at the time) was the recipient of the wicket keeper’s remarkable act of kindness.” – Tori Hoffmann

Stephen commented that his son was on the verge of hitting a century but at 98, he was on the final ball and only managed to get one run.

“He was on 98 not out with the last ball of the day to be bowled, hit the ball to midd off for one and turned for the second run when half way back for the second run the keeper gathered the ball and instead of removing the bails, he allowed my son to get back and get his 100” – Stephen Gersowksky

Stephen watched on as his son ran the final run, getting his 100 for the day – all thanks to the kindness and good sportsmanship of the opposing team’s wicketkeeper.

“This young man’s act should be celebrated and acknowledged as much as the 100. You are a true gentleman young man and thank you on behalf of my son and I for your act of human kindness”

Jane Vincent responded to Stephen’s comment to let him know that her son had performed this act of kindness.

“Thanks so much for acknowledging our son sportsmanship!

He is an incredible young boy that we so proud of especially his amazing sportsmanship and passion for cricket thanks and well done on 100″ – Jane Vincent

Stephen managed to capture the moment on camera and shared it on the Facebook thread here. The most heartwarming part of all was the two young men hugging at the end of the match.

Sources: Tori Hoffmann / Bishops Diocesan College

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So many office items ended up as waste or in landfills, during and after the pandemic. But what would these items look like if instead, they had a second chance at life? The upcoming UPCYCLE exhibition is gearing up to give us a look:

Cape Town, South Africa (05 March 2024) — The spaces we work in have changed greatly in the past four years. But, so has our relationship with the biggest space of all—the planet we call home. Merging these two ideas and inviting us all to be freely inspired by them, is the UPCYCLE Exhibition, set to pop up in Cape Town next month.

The exhibition’s organisers believe that the working world has massive potential to join in on the circularity movement—ie: the upcycling movement which gives waste a chance to be reworked into treasure.

Reconfiguration of the workspace in the post-Covid world has led to a mounting tide of discarded office equipment and furniture that either lazes around in storage, ends up on an over-supplied second-hand market, or worse—in landfill.

But, with clever designers and artists playing a critical role in imagining new possibilities for the things that fill up our spaces, hopes are hot that creative change can make an important dent in influencing the corporate world to get on board with the conscious world.

The UPCYCLE exhibition then, is on a mission to tackle the bigger issues of sustainability and regenerative design through the vehicle of unbounded creativity. Not limited by function and challenged to create a thought-provoking spectacle that will ignite powerful conversation, a select group of designers and artists have been tasked with breathing bold new life into discarded office equipment and furniture pieces.

Among the exhibition’s participants are Congolese artist Patrick Bongoy, sisters Viveka and Rucita Vassen of Ananta Design Studio, Nisha and Justus van der Hoven of Hoven Design, Laurie Wiid of Wiid Design, Amaury Watine, who is the Creativity and Innovation Director Tétris EMEA, Adrian Davidson.

The exhibition will be open to the public at Makers Landing at V&A Waterfront on 19 and 20 April 2024. On Friday 19 April, design students will be welcomed for a special student-focused day, and on Saturday 20 April there will be a free curated walkabout with the artists and designers at 11h00. 

Get ready to explore the future of the workspace!

• Date: 19-20 April 2024 
• Venue: Makers Landing, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
• Opening hours: 10h00-21h00, Friday-Saturday
• Cost:  Entrance to the exhibition and Makers Landing is free
• Parking: Secure paid parking is available at Makers Landing

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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The Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s annual charity dog walk is finally back after a three-year break; it’s time to dress up with your pooches and have a fun day out!

Sea Point, South Africa (05 March 2024) – Humans and four-legged friends are invited to strut their stuff at the sixth Paws on the Promenade – a dog walk fundraiser by the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha. After a three-year break due to Covid-19 and venue issues, the event is back by pawpular demand.

The event was due to take place in October 2023 but was postponed to this year. What was meant to be a Halloween walk, is still going to be a fun event where pets and owners can dress up and have fun.

The dog walk will take place on Sunday the 17th of March at 9 am. Starting at the Mouille Point lighthouse, the five-kilometre route will extend to the Sea Point swimming pool and back. Shorter turnaround points for old, tired and injured pets (or humans) will also be available.

“Our 2020 Paws on the Promenade was a great success with an attendance of 352 dogs. On a budget of just R3,500 we raised R48,400. We hope to raise even more funds with this year’s event. This, however, all depends on how many wonderful dogs and humans join us for the walk,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive and event organiser.

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic is an NPO animal clinic in Khayelitsha township serving up to 1500 animals per month through consultations, hospitalisation, general and orthopaedic surgeries, continuous sterilisations, mobile clinics, an animal ambulance and homeless pet shelter. They also set a priority on community empowerment and education to ensure people become responsible pet ownership into the future.

“Our budget keeps growing year on year due to the demand for our services. It is essential for us to diversify our fundraising. Paws on the Promenade is a great fundraiser but also a magnificent fun filled event for the whole family,” says du Plessis.

Expect to see dogs of all shapes and sizes. “People get very creative, dressing themselves and their dogs up in costumes,” says du Plessis. There will be Dalmatians in tutus, Dachshunds in hot dog outfits and Pomeranians with bow ties.

“For the past six years Vondi’s has partnered with Mdzananda in making this event possible. It is one of our highlights of the year,” says Cindy Jacobson, manager of Vondi’s Holistic Pet Nutrition. “The route is one of the most scenic routes in Cape Town making it a wonderful walk for dogs and owners alike. We support Mdzananda because of their excellent professionalism and the impact they make in the Khayelitsha community, educating pet owners and treating sick pets that would otherwise have little to no help.”

Everyone is invited – humans without four-legged friends are welcome too.

Tickets cost R50 per person, R50 per dog and R25 for kids under 12. These are available from Quicket www.qkt.io/pawsonprom2024 or on the day from 08:00.

Raffle prizes, product sales, delicious coffee, food and crafts will entertain you on the day. The first 100 dogs to arrive will also receive a free goodie bag.

All pet owners are encouraged to dress up in a dog outfit or to wear something orange, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic brand.

For more information visit www.mdzananda.co.za or join our Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/983664270137129

Sources: Mdzananda – Supplied

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In another example of why age is but a number and never something that should hold anyone back from going after their goals, powerhouse Gill Tregenna (who is in her 80s) has broken a world walking record!

Cape Town, South Africa (04 March 2024) — Gill Tregenna has just etched her name into the history books after she cracked a world walking record and left a trail of inspiration behind her.

At Athletics South Africa’s South African Champs held in Cape Town on Saturday, Gill saddled up to compete in the 80-85 category’s twenty-kilometre walk.

Putting the power in a power walk, the member of the Westville Athletic Club didn’t just make herself and her club proud, but South Africa after she made international victory with her new world walking record.

A treasure of an achievement at any age, Gill’s moment is even more significant considering all the inspiration we are sure her determination will impart to anyone who has ever thought that age restricts achievements.

No stranger to achievements (many of which have been in the past few years) in 2023, Gill competed in the African Masters Championship, came first and broke the South African 10km record for her division by a whopping two minutes. And a few years before that, she won the Athletics South Africa Champs’ 10km which led her to hold the title of the fastest female in South Africa for her age group!

Meanwhile, in other news of determined female South African athletes doing history-making things, Amber Fillary broke three Guinness World Records in the space of two days in a must-read series of achievements. 

Sources: Website submission; Westville Athletic Club 

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Qaqamba Cuba is deeply invested in the success of the RX Radio station that operates from the Red Cross Children’s Hospital – So much so, she is taking on yet another cycle challenge to raise funds for the station.

Cape Town, South Africa (04 March 2024) – The Red Cross Children’s Hospital radio station, RX Radio, is working hard to stay on the airwaves, taking every chance to raise funds towards its running costs. Qaqamba Cuba (24) has also dedicated her efforts to helping raise funds for the station.

RX Radio is a beloved, award-winning, radio station housed in the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, that is presented by children with chronic health conditions, their friends and siblings. Listeners are children, youth, the hospital community and the public in general.

The station’s mission is to spread positivity, create awareness around health conditions, share important news stories and provide entertainment around the clock to comfort their many listeners in hospital wards and public spaces in South Africa and around the globe.

RX Radio broadcasts 24/7, providing live and pre-recorded programmes (including shows, music, podcasts, and radio diaries) to their young listeners.

Since 2016, RX Radio has trained 135 Children and Young Reporters between the ages of 4 and 18, who are curious about the field of radio broadcasting.

Qaqamba is an RX Radio reporter and board member. She is collaborating with Warrior on Wheels again, this time around they will be participating in the Cape Town Cycle Tour to raise R 10 000.00 for the station.

“RX Radio is no stranger when it comes to marathons as we have had many people fly the station’s banner high in numerous races such as the Two Oceans and the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, where Qaqamba Cuba was pushed in a buggy by former Southern Striders runner, Alan Jacobs.”

For the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Qaqamba will be pulled in a buggy by Ettienne Wilsnagh.

“Qaqamba uses her condition (Congenital Scoliosis) to drive her passions in life whether it be finishing her Law Degree or helping others realise their potential and following their dreams. The RX Radio Team is beyond proud to follow her along this journey. We would like to encourage others to assist Qaqamba in her plight to raise funds for a cause that is close to her heart.”

To contribute to Qaqamba’s efforts, you can donate here.

Sources: RX Radio – Supplied

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A donation of R1 million has been given to Goodbye Malaria in an effort to combat the deadly disease in Southern Africa.

Cape Town, South Africa (01 March 2024) – Relate Bracelets, a dedicated non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, is happy to announce a significant milestone with a donation of R1,000,000 to Goodbye Malaria, marking another step forward in the relentless fight against this deadly disease. Since its inception, Relate Bracelets has proudly raised just under R14 million for this cause, showcasing the collective power of the community and commitment to making a tangible difference in fighting this disease.

Relate Bracelets is a proudly 100% not-for-profit social enterprise which makes and sells handmade beaded products to raise money for charities globally, while creating jobs for people in low income communities. The non-profit is a social enterprise, which works towards providing solutions to some of the biggest problems in South Africa. It’s a business and does not rely on donations, but raises money for charitable causes.

Goodbye Malaria is an initiative to eliminate malaria, a preventable disease that kills a child every two minutes in Africa.

CEO of Relate Bracelets, Dalit Shekel says, “Malaria accounts for one in twelve global deaths in children under the age of five. Eighty percent of annual malaria deaths are among African children under five. The scourge continues to be a significant health concern for Africa, with the region accounting for 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of all malaria deaths.”

The partnership with Goodbye Malaria aids in accelerating interventions and innovations to malaria elimination in Southern East Africa. During the 2022/23 campaign, integrated vector management was conducted in a total of 22 districts in 3 provinces in Southern Mozambique, with an additional 8 mobile surveillance units positioned at key eastern border regions of South Africa. The results include over 4.2 million lives protected from malaria in the MOSASWA (Mozambique, South Africa and eSwatini) region.

Shekel says, “It is an honour and joy to collaborate with Goodbye Malaria, uniting our efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities, particularly women and young children, from this deadly disease. While we are celebrating this milestone, we’re also filled with anticipation for the greater impact we aim to achieve in the coming year. Our partnership embodies our shared commitment to turning the tide against malaria, and I’m profoundly inspired by the difference we’re making together”

Goodbye Malaria is the brainchild of passionate and concerned African entrepreneurs who’d seen the devastation of the disease on the continent. The social benefit organisation collaborates with world-class partners to end Malaria, including the Global Fund, private organisations, and the governments of Mozambique, South Africa and eSwatini.

Goodbye Malaria’s Marketing Manager, Kiri Rundle says, ‘Malaria holds back economies, communities, and families, with women and girls bearing the brunt of this impact. When we fight to eliminate malaria, we improve economic growth, advance gender equality, and bend the curve of poverty’.

‘The only way to combat this disease is together, this innovative partnership allows us to make an impactful difference on the ground and in malaria endemic communities, while driving societal transformation and empowering the crafters behind each bracelet’, Rundle adds.

Sources:  Relate

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Elders part of NOAH recently got treated to a fabulous day of creativity as part of the International Public Art Festival’s return to Cape Town!

Cape Town, South Africa (26 February 2024)— Elders part of NOAH (Neighbourhood Old Age Homes), a non-profit organisation that gives senior citizens a new lease on purpose with a unique sense of community and skills-sharing, recently got to have an art day as part of the International Public Arts Festival‘s run in Cape Town.

As the biggest street art festival on the continent where new murals by arts, both local and international, become part of the City of Cape Town’s urban fabric, it’s always an exciting time when IPAF comes to town. But wedged between the breathtaking murals and their special messages of impact are public art opportunities and moments of magic—just like the one the NOAH elders recently enjoyed.

Setting aside a day at the Company Gardens, elders got to enjoy their time being creative and enthralled with skills many might not have touched on for years. The Senior Workshop saw 12 NOAH elders get to enjoy the time together, brushed in paint and joy—something that made the whole energy of the International Public Art Festival that much more locally enriching.

There are hundreds of NOAH members who rely on the non-profit who have taken a different approach to life in the sunset years. Operating in six Cape Town communities, residents often come from tough situations such as neglect and unaffordable living circumstances as social pensioners. Through the communal houses affectionately referred to as Digs, the elders are trained with ABCD skills (Asset Based Community Development) where they can use their skills and talents, help co-manage social enterprises and partake in programmes like the Happiness Programme (a garden project, knitting circles, candle and soap making and events).

Here’s to more programmes that benefit the elderly, and more effort on reshaping how we see retirement!

Sources: NOAH 

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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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Stranded turtle hatchlings will start washing up along Western Cape beaches and they may not always look like turtles at first; this turtle was completely camouflaged by barnacles.

Cape Town, South Africa (26 February 2024) – Rescuers spotted a bit of sea debris moving while on a walk, curious, they looked closer and saw that it was in fact a stranded turtle hatchling covered in barnacles. They acted quickly and the little turtle was saved!

It is rescues like this that help the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation save as many turtles as possible. In the coming months, more and more of these little turtles will wash up along beaches.

Stranding season usually runs from March to July each year, so the Aquarium is encouraging beachgoers to keep an eye out.

Hatchling Season

The Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation started preparing for Turtle Hatchling Season back in January, and the first rescues will most likely arrive very soon.

So many of these hatchlings wash up on the Western Cape coastlines because when they are born on the Northern Beaches in KwaZulu-Natal, they make their way into the ocean and towards the warm Agulhas current.

If a hatchling is lucky, it will be carried by the Agulhas Current as it turns east off the coast of the Western Cape and out into the warm Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, this isn’t easy for the tiny hatchlings, and many of them are ejected from the Agulhas Current into the cold water of the Atlantic. This water is too cold for these hatchlings to survive. They get gradually weaker and weaker as they try to return to the Agulhas – an effort that is made increasingly difficult in bad weather, barnacles taking over the little body or if the turtle has been harmed by ingesting plastic pollution.

These weakened hatchlings inevitably wash up on the Western Cape’s coast, and without human intervention, they have no chance of surviving. We have a responsibility to help these animals.

The hatchlings that wash up in the Western Cape are all taken to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Once they have been rehabilitated and are healthy enough, they are released back into the ocean.

If you would like to help the team prepare, you can do so here.

Sources: TOAF

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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 Senior Santa Shoebox team are helping a group of Gogos start up a knitting (and crochet) circle, teaching the ladies how to make blankets to start.

Cape Town, South Africa (26 February 2024) – The gogos at the Hilltoppers Seniors Club in Westlake are learning to knit and crochet as part of a hobby class. The ladies have been so enthusiastic about the new skills that the Senior Santa Shoebox team are rallying support to help them get more wool and crochet hooks.

Senior Santa Shoebox focuses on giving back to seniors in the Western Cape with simple gifts every festive season. The Senior Santa Shoebox charity has gone from strength to strength since starting in 2015.

The Senior Santa Shoebox team is hoping to get all the items needed to help keep the gogos busy as they learn how to make different items. First and foremost is “granny squares” which are then bound together to make blankets.

“We started the Hilltoppers Seniors Club 𝗸𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 on Friday. Superstars Lynne Elliott Doubell and Sharon-Ann Lok taught the basics to many of the ladies who had never knitted/crocheted before. And they were soon going strong!!

𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 by these ladies. We are starting small, knitting squares, which will become a colourful first blanket, and then we will move on to other projects.

Quite a few of the ladies could benefit from ‘readers’. We will try and take some different strengths to them next Friday as well as help them with a warm meal.”

The gogos have already expressed keen interest in learning to crochet – so the team are hoping to find crochet needles and wool donations for them.

If you have the means to support this new knitting circle, you can reach out to help via Facebook here.

Sources: Senior Santa Shoebox

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A look behind the scenes of the Heroes of Groote Schuur page that has seen hundreds of medical workers honoured.

Cape Town, South Africa (25 February 2024) – One of South Africa’s most iconic hospitals is leading the way in highlighting the work of some of the country’s most dedicated public servants.

The commitment of hospital workers to serving South Africans, generally within an environment of huge budgetary constraints and severe staffing pressure, often goes under the radar. However, Cape Town’s iconic Groote Schuur Hospital is working to change this via Heroes of Groote Schuur – a social media campaign that shines a light on those who have often spent their whole careers out of the public’s spotlight.

The campaign is a long-running project of the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust, which sees a weekly “hero” from the hospital interviewed about their role at the institution, what motivates them, and their history of employment at the hospital.

Started in 2018, the Heroes of Groote Schuur initiative highlights the incredible stories of the people who make Groote Schuur Hospital one of the nation’s most iconic hospitals.

Kristy Evans, the executive director of the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust, says: “Groote Schuur is a community in and of itself. There are over 3 500 staff members and generations of family members have worked for this hospital. The initiative tells the personal narratives of those behind the incredible service that the hospital provides.”

A key part of the heroes page is telling the stories of the people who often go unrecognised, but are vital for keeping the hospital running. The initiative therefore aims to highlight the work of staff members in all the hospital departments, rather than just the medical departments.

According to Alaric Jacobs, public relations manager at Groote Schuur Hospital:

“It takes a whole range of skills to make the hospital run, so we try to showcase everyone. Most people think the hospital is just about doctors and nurses, so we wanted to show that there is more to a hospital than just doctors and nurses.”

This became particularly relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic, where hospital workers received much more recognition, due to their tireless work. However, what many people did not realise was that there was a whole team of people who were working behind the scenes to ensure that medical practitioners could save lives.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were many people on ventilators. The ventilators could not function unless they were properly serviced by the technicians. The work of the technicians, therefore, enabled the doctors to work to save the lives of patients. Nobody knew about these technicians, or the work they did, but the Heroes of Groote Schuur initiative helped show the public how important they were,” says Jacobs.

While the initiative seeks to tell the stories of people across the various departments and units, there is still a strong focus on the medical work taking place at the hospital. These stories are often told to align with various national or international health initiatives, such as Women’s Month and other similar initiatives.

According to Evans, “Sometimes we like to align with specific health days or months, and try to tell the story of a practitioner who is working in that particular field.”

Part of what makes Groote Schuur such an iconic hospital is that it has been the site of various medical and scientific “firsts” throughout its history. The Heroes initiative, therefore, serves as a way of highlighting the exceptional work and achievements at Groote Schuur Hospital.

“A lot of people think Groote Schuur Hospital is about the first heart transplant, but there is a long list of ‘firsts’ attached to the hospital. Even last year, a few ‘firsts’ emerged from the hospital,” explains Jacobs.

The hospital’s rich history and its vital role in the Cape Town community lends itself to being a treasure trove of amazing stories detailing the growth of the medical fraternity in South Africa.

Groote Schuur Hospital is home to many people who come from a long line of family members to work at the hospital. A lot of the employees have also worked there for multiple generations, making them the perfect lens to better understand the history of the hospital.

“The public likes these stories, as they can relate to them. You might get a porter who has been working at Groote Schuur their whole life. They can provide great details on how they got their job, how their role changed after apartheid ended, as well as insights into what makes Groote Schuur Hospital so special,” explains Jacobs.

The initiative has also received great feedback and buy-in from the Cape Town community and has over 20 000 followers across Facebook and Instagram. One Facebook user commended the work of the page saying that Groote Schuur Hospital is home to “Dedicated people who need to be commended for the fantastic [work] they do!”

“We are incredibly proud to be involved with such a positive initiative designed to highlight the hard work of the endless list of heroes who work at the hospital. Each person plays such an integral role in ensuring Groote Schuur and provides the best possible care to anybody who enters the hospital,” says Bridget Pringle, of Brooke Buckland, the agency that assists the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust with the running of the project.

To follow the campaign, search for ‘Heroes of Groote Schuur’ on Facebook or Instagram.

Sources: Website Submission

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