BRINGING A LITTLE SUNSHINE
YOU South Africa|17 August 2023
The Good Things Guy is an eternal optimist who wants people to be kind and spread joy
NOKUTHULA ZWANE-EJIKE
BRINGING A LITTLE SUNSHINE

A RANDOM act of kindness changed everything and sparked the foundation of the life he lives today. Thanks to that moment he’s become the guy who brings good news to South Africans who are worn and weary of death, destruction and despair.

Brent Lindeque is the man behind the Good Things Guy website, which has become immensely popular thanks to its feel-good vibes and positive stories about South Africans.

And today, a day after celebrating the eighth anniversary of launching his popular site, he’s welcoming us into his home in Fourways, Johannesburg.

It’s as bright as he is. Pictures of his blended family grace the walls and his 14-year-old cat, Smudge, is settled on the couch, trying to catch the rays of the winter sun streaming through a nearby window.

His fiancé, Andrew Ross, would’ve been here too but had to take their pooches, Ruby and Nova, for grooming, Brent says. “We have our own modern family.”

He’s just come back from the gym, as is his usual habit in the morning, before getting stuck into a busy day. There are plenty of good stories to be told, after all, and he’s just the guy to do it.

Brent’s path to becoming the Good Things Guy started in 2015 when he gave a twist to a reckless social-media challenge that had gone viral. Neknomination was a drinking game where people shared videos of themselves downing an alcoholic drink as fast as possible then nominating friends to do the same.

Brent changed it to RAKnomination, hoping to make random acts of kindness nomination a thing – and he did.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOU SOUTH AFRICAView all
BALLON IN THE BAG
YOU South Africa

BALLON IN THE BAG

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante says his Ballon d'Or win is a victory for Spanish football

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
IT WAS ALL A LIE
YOU South Africa

IT WAS ALL A LIE

A new doccie exposes the Grey's Anatomy writer who fabricated her life story

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'
YOU South Africa

'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'

After her husband, anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny, was poisoned and murdered by the Kremlin, she became the public face of Russia's opposition. In this candid interview Yulia Navalnaya opens up about life on the run, her perilous family life and why she's continuing her husband's fight to save their country

time-read
10+ mins  |
14 November 2024
AGREE TO DISAGREE
YOU South Africa

AGREE TO DISAGREE

Trevor Noah on how his childhood squabbles with his mother inspired his delightful new book

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
PAUSE THE CLOCK
YOU South Africa

PAUSE THE CLOCK

Researchers have discovered that the ageing process spikes at 44 and 60. Here's what you can do to slow it down

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
MPOOMY ON TOP
YOU South Africa

MPOOMY ON TOP

We chat to SA's most popular female podcaster about love, loss and her booming success

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME
YOU South Africa

MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME

Tinus Drotské says his sibling, ex Bok Nǎka, is the victim in the brawl with a neighbour that landed up in court

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
MATT THE RECLUSE
YOU South Africa

MATT THE RECLUSE

A year after his friend's tragic death, the actor continues to shun the spotlight

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
A LEAP OF FAITH
YOU South Africa

A LEAP OF FAITH

After her husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute she thought she'd never trust a man again-but now she's found love

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
THEY'RE MY KIDS!
YOU South Africa

THEY'RE MY KIDS!

This West Coast woman treats her monkeys as iftheyre humans and animal activists are not happy about it

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024