Dave Alderson

[Brent Lindeque @BrentLindeque]

To the cynics, the “realists” and everyone convinced that a glass can only be half something… this one’s for you.

I read comments. Not because I’m a glutton for punishment but because I actually enjoy connecting with people. I like the engagement. I love the conversations. Even the spicy ones.

But every now and then, I get a little kak thrown my way. Not always because of what I’ve said but often because people can only meet you as deeply as they’ve met themselves. Most days, I scroll on by. I carry on sharing the good stuff, the hope and the light… because I know what it means to people. I know what it means to me.

But today, I want to pause for a moment.

Because someone out there might need to hear this.

This morning, I published a factual story: South Africa has just been ranked one of the best places in the world for British expats to move to. It’s not fluff. It’s not PR spin. It’s real. It happened. Next to Canada and Australia, we are a destination of choice for people from other countries.

That’s some lekker news (for them… and for our tourism… and for our economy). Go South Africa!!! ❤️🇿🇦

Almost immediately, someone replied: “Talk about rose-coloured glasses…”

Ja, I get it. I know about those other headlines babe.

I’m not oblivious to the loadshedding, the potholes, the politics, the poverty, the crime, the corruption, the people leaving and the general heaviness we carry on a day-to-day basis.

I live here too. I’m not wearing rose-tinted anything. I’m just choosing to see the whole picture.

And that includes the good.

Because here’s what I’ve learnt after more than a decade of reporting on good news… of digging through the noise to find the light:

1. Two things can be true at the same time.

South Africa has its fair share of challenges. But we also have brilliance, kindness, resilience and joy. Both can exist at the same time. One doesn’t cancel out the other.

2. There is more to our story.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said, “There’s a danger in a single story.” And she’s right. If we only ever focus on what’s broken, we forget what’s beautiful. We lose sight of what’s working. We stop believing we can fix what’s not.

3. When the news feels the heaviest, we’re least open to the good.

And that’s when we need it most. Hope doesn’t come knocking with bells and whistles. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s buried. But it’s there. I promise you, it’s there.

4. Good news doesn’t disappear when bad things happen.

It’s not on pause. It doesn’t take a break while the world burns. It keeps unfolding in kindness shared, in lives saved and in small acts of bravery and everyday magic. And some people… the really brave ones, choose to rise even higher when things get hard.

5. There is power in choosing light.

Not ignorance. Not delusion. Choice. To look for the helpers. To notice the good. To hold space for joy, even when the world feels chaotic. That’s not weakness… that’s courage.

One of my FAVOURITE quotes comes from Fred Rogers. I repeat this man’s words on a daily basis. On most Fridays on 702. In every Keynote. And every opportunity I get. It has become my mantra… because it is true.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

I believe that deeply. Because they are always there.

But over time, I’ve added my own little revision.

“And if you can’t find a helper… then it is your responsibility to become one.”

Profound hey?

No… it’s just the truth.

So I won’t stop.

I won’t stop writing about the helpers… the good people doing great things. I won’t stop looking for the light. And I won’t stop dealing in hope.

Because I believe in this country.
I believe in its people.
And I believe that even the smallest good thing can make a big difference.

And maybe, just maybe, if we all started seeing it that way… then glass wouldn’t be half anything.

For more good news, visit @GoodThingsGuy.

Okay. Love you. Bye.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@MichConstant

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@williesmurfy Do you know if the TT helmet worn for the complete stage, or exchanged for use near the finale?

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@Jonathan_Witt Agreed, a serious option to consider for young adults looking to secure a future. The outlook here is too uncertain.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@bonglez Ouch, just reading some of the posts, this is the wrong place to ask. Should you get response from those who are in a position to officially comment, please keep us posted.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@OscarChalupsky Fantastic Oscar, such good news!

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@DeNedebe1 Sterkte Neil! Keep on fighting 💪

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@GennaO78 Wow, good job👍

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@Jonathan_Witt Indeed, his VIP pass into heaven has been withdrawn.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@GennaO78 Does look delish😋 enjoy

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@BarneySimon Telegraph Road - Dire Straits

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@GennaO78 That's stunning. Love seeing old wood furniture brought back to life 👌

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@DeNedebe1 I'm sure the rest of the world think SA is just a dark comedy club presenting live sketches daily.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@MightiJamie It's the ANC & affiliate's way, you didn't know?

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@GadSaad 😅

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@thulani_6 A dream shared by many, but experienced by few.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@Jonathan_Witt Much like political parties, they operate within their own mo. Nothing do with moral compass.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@BiancavanWyk16 As much as Jason's post is misleading, so is yours. An EME gets a level 4, which somewhat limits your ability to trade freely.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@RomanCabanac Sure, if only. Unfortunately, there's too many disruptors creating disorder with the aim to maintain the current status quo.

[Dave Alderson @davealdy]

@TheRoyalVisions @SthembiD This social media platform is for everyone, including us Africans.