The Man In a Red Hoodie Has a Name and He’s All About Helping

A Man in a Red Hoodie is Going Viral Reminding Us All What Kindness Looks Like

Photo Credit: Leonie Theron Facebook Post

What began as an unhesitating decision to share his lunch with a homeless man on a rainy day quickly became a viral sensation and a reminder of the power of kindness. But, for Daniël du Plessis, the moment was nothing out of the ordinary, but simply his “normal” way of responding to someone in need.

Cape Town, South Africa (18 June 2025) – Many of us are familiar with the phrase that tells of how “not all heroes” wear capes – and it’s true. There are heroes – kind, selfless, compassionate human beings – all around us, doing big, small and unexpected things that remind us of the goodness that exists amidst all the suffering and chaos.

Just last week, we shared about a man in a red hoodie who went out of his way to share his lunch with a homeless man whom he’d noticed drenched and cold at the side of the road in the pouring rain. Unbeknownst to him, his small yet profound gesture was noticed and shared online by a Durbanville woman who had seen him from her car, moved by his kindness.

The man’s good deed soon went viral, touching and inspiring countless lives, and it wasn’t long before those who knew him could put a name to the man in a white car, who wore a red hoodie and did something so small, yet so powerful.

Good Things Guy got in touch with Daniël du Plessis, a Grade 5 teacher’s assistant at Laerskool Eversdal Primary School, who described his act of kindness as simply noticing a human in need of help.

“It was clear that the human being needed the lunch,” he says.

Daniël, humble and quite surprised by the online attention, simply viewed his action as “normal” – seeing a human in need and responding to that need.

“I was feeling embarrassed as I thought that it was normal to help where a person can.”

For Daniël, acting on the internal pull to show humanity to others is a way of recognising the “human” value of everyone, regardless of class, background or circumstances.

The humble hero hopes that those moved by his actions will consider extending a helping hand whenever the opportunity presents itself.

“If you can help why not? Everything can be taken away from you in a second,” Daniël shares his philosophy.

The school commended Daniël for acting on the opportunity to give, show kindness, and restore someone’s faith in humanity.

Daniël, thank you for not just doing a good thing but for reminding us that taking a moment to help another person costs us nothing yet means absolutely everything.