2021… what a year it has been! I can only reiterate once again that we have all been through the most, and we will get through it all again together. Let’s be a bit kinder, love a little louder, and hold your loved ones a bit closer. I wish you only Good Things for 2022!
South Africa (27 December 2021) – This year has been so rough on so many, but looking back on the year that was 2021, there were so many good things that happened in South Africa by good people! 2021 brought us to the brink but it wasn’t without extraordinary moments.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was one of the first recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in February 2020. Photo: Jeffrey AbrahamsMasixole Feni photographed a child doing backflips on a mattress in “Covid” settlement, Cape Town. In March 2021, Feni captured daily life in this informal settlement during lockdown in 2020.The University of Cape Town’s J.W. Jagger Library, housing precious records, literature and artwork, burnt down in April. Ashraf Hendricks photographed the gutted building the morning after it happened. He also shot this video.In May the City of Cape Town demolished the shelters of about 20 homeless families who had camped at the Wynberg taxi rank. Louise Petersen slept outside in the rain with her baby. Photo: Tariro WashinyiraBaithuti Shasha struggles to get around Dunoon in his wheelchair because most of the roads are badly potholed and flooded with sewage. Photo: Peter LuhangaZukile Bangani washes initiates’ hands with soap and water at KwaMagxaki Initiation School in Gqeberha in June. Photo: Mkhuseli SizaniPaul Josephs and his dog after heavy rains flooded the homes of Kraaifontein shack dwellers in July. Photo: Ashraf HendricksMembers of the Amadiba Crisis Committee held a meeting in August at the site where a bridge for SANRAL’s N2 Toll Road on the Wild Coast is planned. Some argue it will bring economic opportunities while others worry it will destroy their way of life. Photo: Daniel SteynGirls as young as five and women in their 70s have to fetch water from a river in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s hometown of Mbizana. This Eastern Cape town has never had tap water. Photo: Mkhuseli SizaniFishers in Port Nolloth head out to sea in thick fog. Ashraf Hendricks and Liezl Human told the story of this struggling community.
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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 that there’s good news all around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
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.
Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.
Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.
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