This International Random Acts of Kindness Day, the aisles of SPAR were transformed into aisles of grace as GROOTfm stepped in to surprise shoppers by paying for their groceries at random and so much more.
Pretoria, South Africa (23 February 2026) – The 17th of February wasn’t just any ordinary ‘Dinsdag’… it was ‘GUNS-dag’! While kindness and goodwill deserve the spotlight every single day, GROOTfm 90. and Die GROOT Ontbyt decided to embrace International Random Acts of Kindness Day and do it the right way, with heart, soul, and a lot of surprises!
GROOTfm 90.5 Bring Joy to Shoppers
The day started early with the team gathering at Eastlynne SPAR to, without any warning, to surprise shoppers by paying for their groceries! One person was identified to chat on air and share what this donation meant to them. Live on air, they were then further surprised with a 7L air fryer sponsored by SPAR.
With a further R5,000 donated by SPAR North Rand regional head office there was enough kindness to spread to deserving charities in the community. Manager Christo Vlok decided to invite three organisations, Lesedi Daycare, Angels of the Community and Victory Over Darkness, to each pack a trolley full of groceries according to their needs.
The GROOTfm 90.5 team also packed a few trolleys for shoppers who could only afford a few small items, and when paying, blessed these individuals with an additional R1,200 worth of basic groceries.
After 25 transactions to the value of more than R16,000, the team headed to Ninapark SPAR, where more people experienced the surprises of Kindness Day. The team selected recipients at random making every encounter a special one.
Chene, one of the recipients, “happened” to be celebrating her birthday, and Alet spontaneously burst into tears because she could not believe this was happening to her. Two individuals were also chosen to receive calls from the studio to share their stories and their GROOT moment live on air.
The GROOT team had the privilege of paying for 34 transactions to the value of just under R20,000.
“We need what is temporary to survive, but we need what carries Eternal value to thrive. And what better way to embrace His abundance, provision and favour than on a day like this? To seize a GIVING opportunity so that many others can testify of His goodness and favour.” – Sonet Stofberg, project manager.
The theme of Random Acts of Kindness Day took place under the banner: “It’s a KIND of Magic”, playing on the idea that “magic” happens when we are kind.
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Die GROOT Ontbyt Surprises 5 Do-Gooders
Die GROOT Ontbyt posed a social media question saying: “Tag and tell us about someone who has shown you kindness.”
The feedback was heartwarming, including comments from Irma De la Rey:
“My neighbour took me to the doctor. I was too sick with bronchitis to drive myself. She waited with me at the doctor’s rooms and then took me home again. People have also helped me change a tyre next to the road before.”
Maritsa Nel opened up about a time she was in the ICU and a kind nurse went above and beyond to help her after she had been experiencing endless problems with drips.
After numerous responses, the team surprised five do-gooders with a R2,000 cash gift, nominated by the people they had helped, without them realising their tags would lead to such kindness. They were then interviewed live on air and told about the gift.
Part of the mandate of GROOTfm 90.5 and Die GROOT Ontbyt is entertainment that makes a difference, and it is their great privilege to be facilitators of His favour.
As they put it:
“Every person is created GOOD – so why not also DO good?”
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