Though this little Mr NSL’s life began at a gate with no name or date of birth, he was met with love. Hopelands carers raised and watched him grow into a bright, confident boy before placing his hand in the warm embrace of his forever family this week.
Magaliesburg, South Africa (23 September 2026) – From the hardest and most undeserving starts, a story can unfold that warms the heart in the most profound way. The journey of a baby boy once left at the gate of Hopelands – and met with a nurturing love that paved the way to his forever home – is one of those stories.
In March 2024, the little boy tenderly known as “Mr NSL” arrived at Hopelands as a baby with no name, no surname, and no birth date. He had no idea what his future would hold, but God knew…
“Hopelands had the incredible privilege of giving him a name, a birthday, a safe place to call home, and most importantly, a whole lot of love,” shared the children’s charity.
“We watched him grow, learn, laugh, discover the world, and step into his confidence.”
Though this innocent soul was dealt a start no child should ever know, surrounding love and warmth gently covered that early hardship, nurturing a bright, playful boy who recently captured the hearts of a family eager to welcome him as their own.
Following the legalities and adoption process, this week Mr NSL was officially handed over to a family who will love, cherish, protect, and walk alongside him for the rest of his life!
“There are some goodbyes that are especially hard, and today is one of those days at Hopelands as we say goodbye to our precious Mr NSL. Yet, we get to witness something every child deserves: a family to call his own,” Hopelands shared.
The carers whose hands had held and raised him said their goodbyes with heavy yet full hearts.
Related Stories
They Made It! Young Animal Welfare Volunteers Off to Cape Town
This Dog Saw Humanity at Its Cruellest – Then Came a Little Girl With R15“We will miss Mr NSL at Hopelands, but there is so much joy in knowing that his story continues with a family who has chosen him and a future filled with love,” they said, wishing him protection, guidance and love from the God who placed him in their path.
From the most heart-wrenching beginning can unfold a story that can overwhelmingly warm it. This is one such story, and we wish Mr NSL the happiest days with his family.
Sources: Hopelands
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 
