While facing a life-threatening illness, Mpho found his happy place in the sizzling sounds and sweet aromas of the kitchen – sparking a dream that the Reach for a Dream Foundation couldn’t wait to help come true!
Strand, South Africa (11 November 2025) – Not many teens can say they love cooking, much less being in the kitchen. But for 15-year-old Mpho, it’s where he comes alive and his culinary creativity shines!
Cooking is his happy place, a space where he can dance, experiment, and dream big. When Mpho, a youngster courageously facing a life-threatening illness, shared that his dream was to one day become a chef, the Reach for a Dream Foundation (RFAD) decided to show him what that life could look like and added a surprise to his dream come true!
For his Dream Day, the Cape Town teen was taken to Ben’s on The Beach Grill in Strand, where Mpho walked in unsuspecting that kitchen stardom awaited him.
“The moment he tied on his personalised chef’s apron, his excitement burst through, music, laughter, and the sizzle of pans filled the air as he cooked steak like a pro. Every flip of the tongs came with a dance move and a grin,” RFAD shared.
But just when Mpho thought the day couldn’t get any better, the chefs returned with a wrapped box and a knowing smile. Inside was his real dream, a brand-new laptop.
“For a moment, he froze, eyes wide in disbelief, before folding his arms and whispering with a laugh, “Ndine laptop!” His mom’s proud smile said it all.”
All in all, it was a day filled with joy, confidence, and the belief that dreams, just like great recipes, can change everything when mixed with passion and heart.
Happy Dream Day, Mpho!
Sources: Reach for a Dream Foundation
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 