Beautiful News

10/06/2026

Pregnancy is a life-changing event. But for moms in South African townships where medical care is scarce, it can end in heartbreak for mom, baby, or both. “Where you are born should not determine whether you have access to equal and quality healthcare,” Dr Margreet Wibbelink says. The midwife specialist has made it her life’s mission to deliver vital services to families in underprivileged communities.

Dr Wibbelink co-founded The Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic, an NGO based in Jeffreys Bay that brings high-standard midwifery to people in need, helps prevent difficulties during pregnancy, and assists in labour. She’s also established an independent midwifery practice, becoming the first in the area to conduct home births. “If we could get every mom to have access to a midwife, I know for a fact that we would have better outcomes, less complications, and healthier pregnancies,” Dr Wibbelink says.

Beyond providing antenatal, neonatal, and postnatal services, Dr Wibbelink has also been a pillar to lean on for many, offering compassion and understanding to those learning to navigate parenthood. Where there are healthy mothers, there are thriving babies, in turn creating stronger families and communities. “Knowing that I can make a difference in this world makes me want to wake up in the morning,” Dr Wibbelink says. “It’s the most rewarding thing.”



The Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic

06/06/2026

When Rory Avenstrüp steps on stage, she commands the room despite her physical size. The performing artist has Achondroplasia, a genetic disorder causing shortening of the limbs. From a young age, Rory learned to stand up for herself. Rather than shying away from stares, she turned her life into a dazzling spectacle that’s bringing joy to everyone she encounters.

Inspired by her opera singer dad, Rory studied Drama before throwing herself into theatre, opera, film, television, radio dramas, and puppeteering. She starred in the Afrikaans classic, Paljas, and for 16 years has dazzled audiences as part of Madame Zingara’s dinner and show spectacular.

But in 2021, tragedy struck when Rory slipped off a staircase with no railing and fell one storey, landing on her neck. “My first thought was that I was paralysed,” she says. Worrying that she’d never return to the stage while recovering, Rory fell into a funk. But her loved ones knew she was stronger and more capable. “My friends were strict with me and said, ‘Get out of bed now, you have to start doing things. This is not how we know you’,” Rory shares. “You get frustrated, but you don’t realise you need that push.”

Madame Zingara owner Richard Griffin and the rest of the cast also rallied around Rory, wanting her back in the show no matter what. Today, she performs with a walker – albeit a fabulously decorated one. “The show must go on,” Rory says.

Travelling through South Africa, the hundreds of cast and crew of Madame Zingara will continue to enthrall diners by creating and performing in a unique space where magic and wonder prevail. With every show, Rory is showing off the power of imagination, demonstrating courage over fear, and proving that you can create a better world by altering your approach to life.

“Change your mindset. Your thoughts are what you believe. They can lie to you,” Rory says. “You have to put yourself in a positive mindframe. Half the stuff that you worry about never actually comes true.”



Rory Avenstrüp | Madame Zingara

03/06/2026

Gustav Heesen and Johan Vorster have been selected to represent South Africa at the Genius Olympiad finals in New York from 8-12 June. The international high school project competition brings together students from around the world to build a better future through science, technology, and creativity.

The Gauteng learners both 13, were selected based on an accessible, AI-driven marking solution they created for teachers in overcrowded classrooms to save time, improve accuracy, and provide better feedback. Their project demonstrates both an understanding of the real-life challenges educators in our country face and the innovation to think outside the box, using AI responsibly to support, not replace people.

Gustav and Johan have been impressing educators from a young age. They first presented their project last year while still primary school learners at Laerskool Anton van Wouw. Competing against students up to Grade 12 at the Gauteng North Imbewu Science Fair, they became the first Grade 7 learners in years to be crowned Overall Winners and secured gold in the AI category.

Now in their first year of high school, when most learners are still finding their feet, Gustav and Johan – who attend Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool and Pretoria Boys High respectively – continue to shine. In January, they were named second runners-up at the National Imbewu SAYESS (South African Youth Environmental and Science Symposium). Despite competing against older students, the duo continue to outperform their peers through their innovative thinking.

Of the hundreds of global Genius Olympiad finalists, Gustav and Johan were one of just two South African teams selected – the other being Ryan Cooke Theron and Alexander Walkenshaw.

We wish our local teams the very best of luck as they make their way to New York. If you'd like to contribute to Gustav and Johan's trip and view the winning presentation that earned them a place in the finals, please see the link in the comments.



Genius Olympiad | Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool - Affies | Pretoria Boys High School | Laerskool Anton van Wouw

Images supplied by Klara Heesen.

29/05/2026

You need to believe in yourself first if you want others to. Delicia De Vos learned this growing up with albinism. “The way I looked made me feel like an outcast, like there was something wrong with me,” she says. Even while attending a school for the blind where inclusion was expected, Delicia was confronted by negative perceptions of albinism.

Realising that the way people treated her was caused by ignorance, Delicia decided to pursue a career in education, and later began working in the Disability Unit at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. There, she has implemented a number of services to support students with learning challenges. These range from large computer screens for the visually impaired to an embosser that converts written documents into braille, and digital recorders for students who are hard of hearing. Playing a role in the transformation of these learners throughout their journey from first year to graduation has boosted Delicia’s sense of purpose.

“It took a long time to find the strength in myself and be proud of who I am,” she says. While continuing to serve and advocate for students with disabilities, Delicia has also been pursuing her own academic dreams, and now holds a Master’s Degree in Disability Studies. With her research, education, and personal experience, she’s giving those around her with similar struggles the support to embrace self-love and gain the confidence to succeed.

Delicia De Vos | Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Delicia De Vos is an expert at using self-confidence to navigate di...

22/05/2026

Africa’s first female shihan, Masedisa Mojaki, continues to break barriers as the first person to lead deaf South African children to compete in karate alongside hearing participants. Through her work teaching karate to children from the Ekurhuleni School for the Deaf, Masedisa has successfully led them to participate in local and global competitions, winning more than 50 trophies so far.

Now, Masedisa and her students are chasing a bigger dream – competing at the 2026 Dream Cup Festival on 18 and 19 July in Tokyo. This year, 25 deaf children between the ages of 7 and 16 have qualified to participate, earning their place after excelling in provincial and national tournaments. Should they attend, they stand to make South African history as deaf karatekas competing against hearing opponents in a sport that relies heavily on sound and vocal cues.

But first, they need all the support they can get, as funding for the trip is limited and only a portion of their accommodation has been covered so far. Supporting Mas Se Dojo not only helps talented young athletes pursue an extraordinary opportunity, but also helps make seemingly impossible dreams come true.

Coming from a background where she was told some things were not for girls to do, Masedisa is eager to not only disprove gender stereotypes but also raise awareness for the deaf community, as well as people with autism and cerebral palsy. “In townships, such disabilities are considered ‘taboo’ and not given proper attention,” she explains.

As her students prepare for Tokyo, Masedisa is doing far more than coaching karate – she is helping a generation of deaf children step confidently into spaces they were once excluded from.

To contribute, contact Masedisa on 083 524 3387.



Images supplied by Masedisa Mojaki.

Mas Mojaki

19/05/2026

South Africa’s favourite landscape designer is back with another victory. Leon Kluge and his dream team including artist and gardener Tristan Woudberg have been awarded Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion and secured a gold floral medal, bringing our country’s tally to 40 medals in its 50-year history at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

As always, our local design goes beyond beauty – showing off our landscape’s diversity and our flora’s unique qualities. The award-winning showcase, ‘Life After Fire’, was inspired by Cape fynbos and its response to wildfire, demonstrating incredible adaptability and the ability to emerge from disaster even stronger. The exhibit featured burnt proteas – which have their own striking beauty – as well as charred wood and branches. Tristan sourced remnants from fires in the Western Cape to create the scorched backdrop. Juxtaposed against this were more than 20 000 fresh flowers and indigenous plants that thrive after fire.

While the inspiring theme was planned in advance, little did Leon and the team know that bringing the exhibit to life would mean conquering disaster themselves. The recent storms, gale-force winds, and flooding in the Western Cape made harvesting the blooms from waterlogged fields difficult and dangerous, and threatened the ability to ship the flowers for the show. A brief break in the storm allowed farmers to harvest and carefully transport the flowers just in time.

From here to the other side of the world, South Africa continues to shine with our natural landscape, the talent of our people, and our ability to bounce back.



Images: Leon Kluge, Southern Sun

Leon Kluge | - Royal Horticultural Society | Grootbos Foundation | Southern Sun | Hazendal Wine Estate

15/05/2026

It wasn’t long before Kerry Walsh’s parents realised she wasn’t like her twin. When her sister started crawling, Kerry could only sit. Soon after, she could barely move at all. Doctors diagnosed Kerry with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease that causes a person’s muscles to degenerate over time. They said she’d live until the age of five. Kerry continues to prove them wrong. “I don’t plan on slowing down,” she says.

Her family initially began the Kerry Walsh Trust Fund to afford her medical bills and specialised wheelchairs, but Kerry has since grown this into a movement that’s inspiring others. In addition to using social media to rate spaces based on accessibility, she gives motivational talks at schools across the country. While Kerry’s focus is on disability awareness, her message is for anyone wanting to live their lives to the fullest.

She’s authored a book, ‘Finding My Feet: A Rare Warrior’s Journey Through SMA and the Unknown’, which chronicles her journey, while sparking conversation about how to be more inclusive of those with rare diseases and disabilities in empowering ways. It’s a heartfelt, relatable read for anyone facing daily challenges that may not always be obvious to those around them.

Through her talks, writings, and social presence, Kerry continues to show others what’s possible when you advocate for yourself despite what you’re facing. “If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s difficult to believe in anything else,” she says.



Kerry Walsh Motivational Speaker

It wasn’t long before Kerry Walsh’s parents realised she wasn’t like her twin sister. When her sibling started crawling, Walsh would only sit. Soon after, th...

14/05/2026

One of South Africa’s scientists is not only leading the way internationally for her work on beauty standards and ethnic hair and skin, but also protecting people from serious bodily harm.

Professor Ncoza Dlova is the head of dermatology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and was the first African Dean of UKZN’s School of Clinical Medicine. She was recently honoured with the Icons of Care Award at the Beiersdorf Icon Exchange event at the Denver Art Museum.

The award recognises those in the field of dermatology who have contributed to the field of skincare by advancing scientific research, guiding the next generation of healthcare professionals, and making a difference in the lives of patients. For Professor Dlova, all three of these pillars have been central to her work.

Over the past two decades, she has seen the effects of the belief that dark skin is less attractive than light skin, and witnessed first-hand the damage caused by attempts to lighten skin tone with pigment-lightening products. Professor Dlova’s research into skin bleaching has not only documented the dangers of this practice, but investigated the motivation behind it. A third of the people surveyed admitted that they wanted to look more attractive, while 90% of this group had no idea they were risking harm to themselves.

Professor Dlova has also made significant breakthroughs in understanding hair loss among African women. Her work fills a much-needed gap. Historically, the majority of dermatologists treating both skin and hair conditions did not fully represent the vast diversity of ethnic backgrounds and skin tones in South Africa.

Through her efforts, Professor Dlova is campaigning to help South Africans love the skin they’re in before dermatological intervention is needed.



Ncoza Dlova

Images: UKZN

10/05/2026

In Fiona and Naomi Radford’s wild animal collection, you’ll find almost anything from a wood owl and a tortoise to lizards and snakes. The twin sisters began accumulating their strange assortment of animals years ago. While working at the Durban Natural Science Museum, the Radfords would teach children about the lives and environments of different species. Their presentations sparked so much enthusiasm that kids began bringing the duo all types of creatures that they’d find on the streets.

It’s been more than 40 years since, and the Radfords have had over 100 animals in their care that form The Menagerie – a public benefit organisation in KwaZulu-Natal that houses wild and domestic rescues. In growing their mission to protect wild species that can’t be rehomed and finding adopters for domestic animals, the Radfords have since moved to a bigger home and been able to purchase a newer bakkie for their rescues.

“Loving animals came as a second nature to us,” Fiona says. Education is the core of their work. The Radfords travel to underprivileged communities and schools, and exhibit at birthday parties. Through supervised interactive lessons, they teach children how to approach and protect the creatures they come across. “The more we learn, the more we love them,” Fiona says.



The Menagerie Live animal rescue

A battered bakkie chugs along the seemingly nondescript road. In the back, you’ll find almost anything from a wood owl and a tortoise to lizards and snakes. ...

07/05/2026

Pierre Carter is on a mission to become the first person to not only summit the highest peak on every continent, but also paraglide off them. It’s an ambitious dream – but if anyone can do it, it’s this South African adventurer.

A seasoned paraglider and three-time Red Bull X-Alps athlete, Pierre has competed internationally and earned national colours. So the toughest part of his mission wasn’t the physical or mental preparation – it was securing support. “Charities and raising money was the initial idea, but it proved too hard to get sponsorship,” he says. “When we pitched it, I don’t think anyone thought it was possible.” Instead, Pierre’s been self-funding the journey, overcoming time and financial constraints with determination. Since the early 2000s, he’s travelled the world, rallying friends and family and saving for each climb.

This year, Pierre finally climbed all Seven Summits when he took to the top of Mount Vinson. This adds to Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), and both Puncak Jaya and Kosciuszko (Australia). “The final summit was an emotional, happy ending to a long journey,” he says.

But despite meticulous planning, Pierre’s goal of also paragliding off every peak has faced setbacks. His gear was confiscated at Denali, and he was denied permission to fly from Mount Vinson, even in perfect conditions. Still, he made history – becoming the first person to officially obtain permission to paraglide from Mount Everest.

Now 60, Pierre is carefully choosing his next challenges, while still hoping to secure those final permits. His advice to fellow adventurers pursuing seemingly impossible goals: “Very cliché, but follow your dreams and make them come true. Perseverance, patience, and teamwork will get you through every time.”

Pierre Carter | NOVA Performance Paragliders



Images: Supplied, with credit to Pierre Carter (7summits7flights), .expedition.2025 (Instagram), Georgia Carter, and Marianna Schwankhart.