South Africa, a nation known for its resilience and the strength of its people, faces its fair share of challenges. Living here can be incredibly tough, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the headlines that often highlight our struggles.
However, I firmly believe that even in the face of adversity, we cannot ignore the good things happening all around us.
It’s exactly why I created Good Things Guy™️ 8 years ago – to share some much-needed balance. Little did I know it would grow into something so special.
The platform has become South Africa’s top good news site, and what started with just one person sharing one good news story every day has grown into an entire team (that I am incredibly thankful for) who dedicate our time, effort and energy, to sharing countless stories of the helpers, the healers, the heroes and the hope dealers into the fabric of our shared consciousness.
Our mission has always been to change the national conversation and give South Africans a balance to the news in South Africa.
We do this by telling stories.
These stories are a reflection of the remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of our nation.
The spirit of being a South African.
In a year filled with ups and downs, South Africa has had its highs and lows, but even when the news has felt most heavy, there have been glimmers of light. I call these moments of magnificence – and they too, deserve our attention. Yes, even amid the hard news that seems to dominate our screens, there are shining beacons of hope and positivity that remind us why we should still be proud to be South Africans.
We told thousands of these stories on Good Things Guy™️ over the past year, which made it really difficult to choose just 100 for our inaugural coffee table book.
But here we are.
“Only Good Things 2023” is a collection of stories that are bound to make you smile, bring you joy and give you all the feel. And even though they were written by an incredibly passionate and talented team, they are all about you, South Africa, and the good things that you do.
The book features the most incredible stories. From a South African who lived on Table Mountain for the first 11 months of his life and returned to the peak in 2023 – for the first time – to celebrate his 79th birthday; to how a woman gave a homeless man a shower and a bed to sleep in, and he repaid her by buying her a gift (with the little money he had).
We delved deeper into stories like when a renewed sense of hope rushed through Johannesburg in 2023 after a kind JMPD Officer (Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department) stepped in to help a little scholar’s journey become softer; or how what started as a meeting of two people over a denim skirt, inspired hundreds of South Africans to lend a helping hand in getting a young man to design school; how an Uber driver bravely faced animal traffickers to save the life of a pregnant Pangolin who would have never been found, had the driver not noticed the bag moving and driven straight to the police.
We got to interview people like Louzanne Coetzee, a visually impaired Paralympian who highlighted her record-breaking achievements and unyielding spirit as an embodiment of unity and inspiration for the nation; and skateboarding royalty Jean-Marc Johannes from Athlone, who “did it again” in 2023 by breaking two more Guinness World Records, leaving both Cape Town and South Africa buzzing with pride.
We featured a story from last year about a South African company that was featured on Time100 Most Influential Companies; a South African who became the 5th local to receive a Michelin Star; and the Bokke who reminded us that we truly are Stronger Together.
We even have a whole section of opinion pieces showcasing things like How To Find Motivation on Bad Days, Combatting Internet Meanness, Breaking Up with Unwanted Habits and how Finding a “Vacation” Moment Every Day is Vital For Our Mental Health!
“Only Good Things 2023” even has a section celebrating our awards, from Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman and Zakes Bantwini winning a Grammy award for their beautiful song, Bayethe; to a South African scientist winning a prestigious global award; and even how two South African languages were spotlighted on a list sharing the coolest languages to learn in the world. Considering that there are believed to be over 7000 known, living languages, we think the spotlighting speaks for itself.
This book features stories of South Africans helping each other, saving animals, doing things for the environment and everything in between. It’s a collection of happiness and good things that will remind you that there is another narrative to our beautiful country.
Dive into the extraordinary tales that defined the year, where the human spirit triumphs, kindness reigns, and resilience takes centre stage. From the smallest acts of generosity to the grandest achievements, these stories showcase the boundless capacity for good that unites us all. Within these pages, you’ll discover remarkable tales of kindness, triumph over adversity, and the indomitable spirit of humanity. From small acts of compassion to larger-than-life achievements, each story highlights the extraordinary capacity for good that resides within us all.
“Only Good Things” is not just a book; it’s a celebration of the human spirit, a reminder that even in the face of challenges, there are countless reasons to smile.
The book is dedicated to all the heroes, all the kind humans, all the champions, all the glimmers and all the unsung moments of magnificence that collectively shape the beautiful mosaic of our nation.
As you flip through these stories, let them serve as a reminder that South Africa is not defined solely by its struggles but by the countless individuals who rise above them.
So, here’s to you, South Africa—the resilient, the compassionate, the hopeful.
May “Only Good Things 2023” be a source of inspiration, a mirror that reflects the goodness within, and a celebration of the indomitable spirit that makes us all proud to be South Africans.