By stepping into the cold for just one night, the business leaders of Cape Town ignited a flame of hope that will now become a lifeline for those seeking warmth and a way back home.
Cape Town, South Africa (24 April 2026) – U-turn Homeless Ministries is guided by the belief that there is a full life to be lived after homelessness – and if the success of their latest fundraiser is anything to go by, it’s a belief shared by countless others!
The charity’s A Night on the Streets event took place on 18 April, where business leaders and supporters of the charity traded the warmth of their beds for 12 hours on the pavement. It offered a raw opportunity to face the same conditions that thousands of destitute people endure every single night in Cape Town.
As previously highlighted by Good Things Guy, this event moves beyond simply asking supporters to write a cheque. Instead, it demonstrates the true value of their contributions by offering a small, sobering glimpse into the reality of life on the streets. Each participating CEO or business leader pledged a minimum of R10,000 towards U-Turn’s programmes that help clients move out of homelessness.
And show up these leaders did!
Despite torrential rain, freezing temperatures, and a blistering wind, the community didn’t waver. Thirty brave participants slept outside BMW Constantia, joined by hundreds of others sleeping out at local churches and in their own gardens to show their solidarity.
“One night. One movement. One unforgettable, goosebump moment. Together, we showed up in the most powerful way,” U-turn Homeless Ministries shared.
The event raised more than R1.7 million for U-turn’s frontline services at the Powerhouse Homeless Service Centre! This support will ensure that the doors remain open, providing more than 13,000 hot showers, warm meals and nights OFF the street for the wonderful clients that U-turn serves.
The night’s shivering and rain-soaked hours translated into a lifeline for those seeking a way home. As U-turn best puts it:
“This wasn’t just a night out; it was a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose.”
The organisation extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the event and already raising seed funding for the 2027 edition. For more information email stephen@homeless.org.za
Sources: U-turn Homeless Ministries
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 and 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 and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 