Joel Munemo’s brilliance shone as brightly as his leadership as the 2025 Head Boy of Westville Boys’ High School. He’s now hung up his decorated school blazer with one dream for the future. A dream that had been out of reach until his community stepped in.
Westville, South Africa (03 December 2025) – He aspired to be the kind of Head Boy who helps his peers recognise their potential, serve others with heart and understand the various opportunities available to them in discovering their purpose.
This was Joel Munemo’s hope for his leadership role as the Head Boy of Westville Boys’ High School (WBHS) for the 2025 school year. Not only did he achieve it, but he led by example, excelled and inspired those he now leaves behind.
Despite growing up in rural Zimbabwe and being raised with less than most, Joel hasn’t been one to be defined by his challenging circumstances. He’s excelled across every field in his high school career – as a provincial debater, first-team footballer, and an honours blazer recipient in performing arts.
He is also the founder of the social impact initiative “Small Acts. Big Impact.” and has raised over R30,000 for local charities.
Now, as he hangs up his school blazer, Joel dreams of pursuing a law degree to become a lawyer and advocate for change. However, financial challenges stand in his way, and as a non-South African citizen, he is not eligible for NSFAS or most bursaries.
“Tertiary education is something my parents cannot afford to put me through, but and yet I hope that I will. I am passionate about law, and I hope that through law I will be able to provide for my family one day,” shared the aspiring Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer.
A BackaBuddy fund, which will be transparently managed and administered by the WBHS Old Boys of 2005, was recently launched to help raise R300,000 to cover Joel’s tuition fees for a four-year LLB degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The amount includes tuition (R50k – R60k per year) and books (R10k – R15k per year).
The response so far? Beautifully heartwarming!
Forty-three kind hearts have contributed towards a total of R110,477, investing in a future leader who deserves a chance to thrive. Their kindness and generosity are a powerful showcase community lifting one future leader so that he may one day uplift many others!
Sources: Westville Boys’ High School | BackaBuddy
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 