After fading into obscurity for more than a decade, the iconic flag on the R24 has been brought back to life through passion, teamwork and a deep love for this country.

Johannesburg, South Africa (23 November 2025) – This week, the RSA Flag Restoration Project was officially completed, bringing back to life the massive South African “Highway” flag that lines the road from OR Tambo International Airport.

The same flag that once welcomed the world during the 2010 FIFA World Cup… and then slowly faded away.

Until now.

But the restoration didn’t come from a government directive or a big municipal plan. It came from heart. From community. From corporate goodwill. From people who still believe in the power of pride and colour and effort.

South Africa Day, Plascon and Alan Ford Agency and Productions teamed up to repaint and restore the iconic symbol, using an incredible 4,000 litres of paint, so that every person landing in our country for the upcoming G20 Summit (and long after that) is greeted with something unmistakably South African.

But this wasn’t a rush job for an international event. This was about home.

Speaking to Good Things Guy, Alan Ford was clear: this was never just a G20 makeover.

“This wasn’t just done for G20, it was done as it is so beautiful, and what a way to welcome people to South Africa,” he explained.

He remembers the pride of 2010 like it was yesterday.

His social media post, which is going viral, captured it perfectly:

“I was so proud in 2010 (with the World Cup Soccer) to see the South African Flag painted on pebbles on the highway as you left OR Tambo International Airport. It was short-lived, and became an utter mess and kind of disappeared! So ‘South Africa Day Project’, ‘Plascon’ and ‘Alan Ford Productions’ decided to clean it up, and bring it back to life, with durable Plascon Paint (4000 litres to be exact)!!”

“As thousands of international dignitaries, heads of state and visitors leave the airport on the R24 towards Johannesburg (Africa’s Financial and Economic Hub), they get to see this, and we proudly brought it back!”

“We didn’t rely on government to make this happen, but a corporate, aka PLASCON, and proud South Africans, like myself, and others simply just did it!”

“We are proud of our flag, our country and wanted to show it off in this manner.”

“We need to stop depending on government to clean up things and make us proud!!! Hope this inspires you!!!”

And judging by the reaction, it already has.

Barend Le Grange, Convenor of the Dialogue of Action Network, shared why the initiative carries so much weight.

“In 2010, in preparation for the soccer World Cup, the Parks Department of Johannesburg actually created this flag, and now, in 2025, with the G20 coming up, we have decided that we are going to restore this flag again. Not only for 2025 but also for the future. This is the way that we, as South Africans, must welcome visitors to South Africa.”

It’s not just new paint. It’s a message stitched into the ground.

A reminder of unity.

A reminder of pride.

A reminder of what we can achieve when we stop waiting for someone else to do the work.

Bheki Shongwe, CEO of South Africa Day, captured that perfectly, “It’s something that signifies who we are as South Africans because this flag unites all of us. And this is how it should be. And that’s the country that we want. One that is united in diversity. Working together to rebuild this country to become stronger and to be successful.”

Plascon didn’t hesitate when the call came.

“We’ve done this by staying true to our mission, which is to enable and inspire the community and the customers in which we operate and this is an example of that where we’ve undertaken an initiative that inspires the country and makes South Africa proud of our flag and our heritage,” Leslie Frank, Head of Marketing Decorative Paint, explained.

“At Plascon, we say ‘together we’ve got this’, and our flag manifests that unity and coming together, so South Africa, together with Plascon, you’ve got this.”

When asked what this project means to him, Alan said something quietly powerful.

“We can’t rely on the government to fix the things around us that are broken. So if you can make a change, within civil society yourself, or as a human being… and want to change something around you and make something pretty around you… you can do it! It’s like mowing the lawn outside your house, even though it’s government land, you can do it.”

And he’s right.

“It’s often the role of the individual South African to get their hands dirty and do things to make this a better country and that’s what you’re all about.”

“But it’s also great when corporate South Africa get involved, like in this case, Plascon, who provided 4000 litres of paint to do the project. We all need to play our part.”

Sometimes all it takes is a splash of colour on the side of the road to remind us that people still care. That unity is not an old slogan but something you can see from the sky. That pride doesn’t have to wait for permission. And that hope… bright, bold, stitched in red, blue, green, yellow, black and white, can be painted back into the landscape whenever we choose.

South Africa… look what we can do when we decide to do it together.

Source: Interview with Alan Ford 

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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.

The post This Restored “Highway” Flag Proves What South Africans Can Do Together appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Afrobeats superstar Davido has once again shown his generous heart, stepping in with a life-changing donation that brought hope to a desperate LASU graduate in need of urgent medical help.

Nigerian music superstar Davido has once again proven that his influence extends far beyond the stage. Davido stepped in at a critical moment to support a young Lagos State University (LASU) graduate and social media influencer known online as Baddy of Lagos, who was in urgent need of spinal correction surgery.

Baddy, who had been battling a severe spinal condition, had launched an online crowdfunding campaign to raise ₦18.3 million for the life-changing procedure in India. As time ran out and desperation grew, he continued to share his plea across social media platforms, drawing attention from Nigerians home and abroad.

The turning point came on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, when Baddy took to X (formerly Twitter) with a tearful and thankful announcement: Davido had donated ₦3 million towards the surgery. “Jesus @davido sent me 3m for my correctional surgery, God bless you sir… my idolo,” he wrote, clearly overwhelmed by the gesture.

The contribution wasn’t just symbolic, it was decisive. With Davido’s donation, the campaign not only reached its target but surpassed it. The total funds raised reportedly crossed ₦22 million, enough to cover the surgery, travel, and all post-operative care.

Obi-Dickson, who coordinated the fundraising efforts, also shared his excitement and gratitude on X:
“Omo, I just saw OBO in my DM right now. @davido dropped N3m. We now have more than we need for the surgery. Thank you, Baddest!”

Social media has since been flooded with praise for Davido, with fans and well-wishers applauding his consistent commitment to using his platform for good.

This latest act adds to the long list of charitable efforts by the singer, who is often celebrated not just for his music, but for his kindness and support for people in need.

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A post shared by Notjustok.com (@notjustok)

Jesus @davido sent me 3m for my correctional Surgery, God bless you sir.. my idolo

— Baddy of Lagos (@_belikebaddy) August 4, 2025

Omo, I just saw OBO in my DM right now. @davido dropped N3m. We now have more than we need for the surgery.

Thank you, Baddest https://t.co/P4J1b8UauH pic.twitter.com/jCv5CbfNoM

— Sir Dickson (@Wizarab10) August 4, 2025

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The post Davido’s surprise move leaves struggling LASU graduate in tears appeared first on NotjustOk.

When a humble petrol attendant gave away a few litres of fuel and slipped R100 into a stranger’s hand, he never imagined that gesture would inspire thousands to do the same… and remind South Africa what it means to really care.

Johannesburg, South Africa (31 July 2025) – When Justin Roderick’s story first landed on Good Things Guy, it moved the country in a way few stories ever do.

It wasn’t just about a car that ran out of petrol, or a family struggling to stay afloat. It was about what happened next… when a stranger named Warren Bhebhe, a petrol attendant in Bryanston, stepped forward and quietly, gently, changed everything. He paid for a 5-litre bottle of petrol out of his own pocket. Then, as Justin rushed back to the car with his two tearful daughters, Warren slipped a folded R100 into his hand. No big gesture. No “look at me” moment. Just kindness… quiet, sincere and powerful.

“He didn’t just bless me with petrol,” Justin wrote. “He gave me hope.”

And from that single act of compassion… something truly extraordinary began to grow. In the days since that moment was shared with the world, Justin has been overwhelmed, not by sympathy, but by connection.

“The pain and struggle of trying to keep my family okay has been immense,” he shared in an emotional update. “There were days I felt like my body was shutting down from the internal weight of it all. Hearing my girls cry from helplessness broke me in ways no words can explain.”

But what met that pain was nothing short of a miracle. Thousands of comments, shares, prayers and messages from people across South Africa and the world. People who had also felt helpless. People who knew what it meant to be at the end of your rope. People who were moved by Warren’s gesture and inspired to go out and do the same.

“My family no longer feels alone. I feel like I have a family of thousands. We feel loved, seen, and cared for. You’ve moved me in ways I cannot fully express.”

The story has reached radio stations, newspapers and online platforms, but more importantly, it’s reached hearts. It’s changed the way people see each other at petrol stations, in traffic and at school drop-offs. It’s reminded us that we are not alone, that we are each other’s keepers.

“We’re not just sharing a story anymore,” Justin wrote. “We’re exporting hope.”

And that hope “in action” is already happening.

People have been inspired to help one another. R20. R50. A loaf of bread. A conversation. A hug. A message. All in the name of The Warren Challenge, a call to do one kind thing for someone else and share it to keep the ripple going.

“If each of us helps just one person this week,” Justin wrote, “Warren’s R100 will multiply into millions of acts of kindness.”

There are whispers of a bigger dream forming, “The Warren Effect“, something that might one day become a platform to celebrate and multiply acts of kindness. But the most important message isn’t what’s being built, it’s that none of us are alone; we are all in this together.

“To those who’ve shared their own struggles in the comments, you are not alone. Your vulnerability gives others permission to be human.”

“To my daughters, you’ve now seen that angels exist, and sometimes they wear petrol attendant uniforms.”

“And to Warren, the world may now know your name. But more importantly, they know your heart.”

So whether you help by giving, by sharing, by praying, or simply by choosing love instead of anger today, you are part of the ripple. Because this is no longer just a story… it’s South Africa, remembering itself. One act of kindness at a time.

Though the story was never shared for donations or attention, many have asked how they can help. If you’d like to support, you can email or even PayPal the details below.

Warren Bhebhe, the man whose quiet act of love started it all: warrentbhebhe@gmail.com

Justin’s Family, still rebuilding, still dreaming of helping others: jrpersonaltraining7@gmail.com

Sources: Interview with Justin Roderick

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 & 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 & 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.

The post Update: The Petrol Attendant Who Gave R100 Has Sparked A Kindness Revolution appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Inspired by his volunteer work at the Denis Hurley Centre during lockdown, award-winning filmmaker Michael James collaborated with a group of homeless men to produce a feature film that dynamically delves into the lives and experiences of those often overlooked by society.

Durban, South Africa (31 July 2025) – In the greater society, where the grim and troubled realities of those who call the streets and dilapidated buildings their home are often outcast, filmmaker Michael James wanted to zoom his lens right in on them to produce a film that authentically honours their lives and experiences, in all their gritty reality.

Inspired by his volunteer work at the Denis Hurley Centre during the COVID-19 lockdown, James initially collaborated with homeless men to create the short film, No Kings of the Street.

But Michael’s vision was even more ambitious, and five years later, he has achieved this in a full-length feature film, God’s Work, which was premiered in a full-house screening at the 46th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) this month.

Known for being a disruptive storyteller, Michael takes viewers deep into the heart of Durban’s marginalised communities, following the character of Simphiwe and his friends as they navigate survival, brotherhood, and the universal human desire to be seen.

For Michael, homelessness is largely experienced by invisible people just trying to exist – a reality he deeply tapped into while volunteering at the Denis Hurley Centre.

He hopes the film will inspire audience viewers around the world to look inward and question the way in which they live their lives.

“One would only dream that, as individuals engage with this film that there would be some kind of broader dialogue. My dream is for this film to create conversation that would explore the ways, firstly, in which cinema has kept the marginalised unseen and even more than that, I’d love for this film to challenge some of the ways we talk about homelessness in society,” Michael shared with Lotus FM.

The film has been selected to compete for the best South African feature film at DIFF.

Other screenings of God’s Work will be at Bioscope, JHB on Saturday, 2 Aug at 12pm and Labia, CPT on Sunday, 3 Aug at 12pm.

Sources: Supplied

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 & 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 & 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.

The post Durban Film Explores the Gritty Realities of Homelessness and The Desire To Be Seen appeared first on Good Things Guy.