EDITORIAL
Amos Mananyetso, Daily Sun editor
It is in your hands, to make a better world for all who live in it
A celebration of unsung heroes.
While July is commemorated around the world as Mandela Month to celebrate the birthday of the late former South African president Nelson Mandela, it’s also a special month for Daily Sun, one of the five iconic brands which make up SNL24.
July marks our birthday after the People’s Paper first hit the streets of Mzansi in July 2002.
Since then, Daily Sun has managed to live up to its reputation as a People’s Paper by telling stories that matter, rolling up its sleeves on behalf of its readers and joining hands with communities to do good.
It’s in that spirit that we see July 2023 as a special month to us, as we celebrate 21 years since our establishment.
What better way to celebrate such a milestone than to continue with the legacy of Mandela of doing good for the communities we serve.
Our #UnsungHeroesZA campaign recognises all community champions to ensure that their good deeds don’t go unnoticed. It is a collaborative campaign between the SNL24 brands, including SOCCER Laduma, KICKOFF, TRUE Love and DRUM.
We are giving you, our dear reader, a chance to nominate such individuals and organisations from your kasi who you think are doing a great job in developing their fellow neighbours.
It’s no secret that Mzansi has many social and economic problems, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up and accept defeat.
The people of Mzansi are known for being resilient and always fighting for a better future for their children and communities.
You have shown this by moving mountains to give the youth a better future.
We have seen how some of you sacrifice your warm beds at night to patrol the streets and ensure the safety of residents.
Daily Sun has been there with you throughout the journey, walking beside you to ensure that we capture and bring to the attention of the entire world, your heroic efforts.
So please help us unearth more of these heroes in your community to ensure that we show the world that the Mzansi of Nelson Mandela is not only full of doom and gloom.
Let’s get working Mzansi!
SPORT
Nelson Mandela had a profound interest in sports and recognised its power to bring people together. He leveraged sports as a tool for unity and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.
Sport has the power to change the world. Sport has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.
Nelson Mandela was not wrong when he coined that phrase!
In the post-apartheid era, sport played a significant role in uniting South Africans and fostering a sense of national unity.
Nelson Mandela, as the country's first democratically elected president, used sport as a powerful symbol of reconciliation.
Overall, sport served as a powerful catalyst for reconciliation and unity, enabling South Africans to move forward as a united nation and embrace their shared identity.
SPORT HEROES
Gogo gives back through soccer
Inspired by the success of Banyana Banyana, Francina Malinga founded and leads the only women's soccer team in Phiri, Soweto.
Matsebane: ‘The Dog That Bites’
He has been dubbed 'The Dog That Bites' by Pitso Mosimane for the relentless nature in which he does his job.
Ray of light keeps gogos, mkhulus moving in Soweto
Thenjiwe Nxumalo has devoted her time to assisting Gogos and disabled people in Slovo, Soweto - not only does she offer exercise classes, she also runs a feeding scheme.
From guns to football: Changing Westbury, one kick at a time
“It’s about changing lives,” that is the message from the JoWest Local Football Association Chairman Reidwan Sallie when asked about his lifelong dedication to the beautiful game.
Embodying Mandela's spirit - Patrick Moroanyane helping school kids 'shine'
Patrick Moroanyane and players of Movers FC have started a school shoe polishing campaign for Soweto pupils.
Gogo's Comrades dream comes true!
Gogo Johanna Peteke's biggest wish was to travel to the Comrades Marathon in Durban in an aeroplane.
Khayelitsha youth conquering the sea
After learning to surf in just three months, Khanyisa’s strides in the ocean have uplifted her community.
WATCH: God shows blind diski coach what to do!
Blind soccer coach Dumisani Ntombela (34) believes that against all odds anything is possible.
ENDURANCE
It always seems impossible until it's done.
Nelson Mandela's remarkable endurance was evident throughout his 27-year imprisonment on Robben Island, where he endured harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and physical labour, yet never wavered in his fight against apartheid.
Despite facing immense adversity, Mandela exhibited extraordinary endurance during his presidency, steering South Africa through a challenging period of transition, promoting reconciliation, and working towards a more equitable society.
HEROES OF ENDURANCE
Hero neighbour saves family from burning house!
Neighbour Amos Mahungele, who rescued the family, said his friend and neighbour called out his name at about 6am, asking him to please save his kids.
Kwalang makes toilets shine!
A convicted criminal is fighting to turn his life around and cleans dirty kasi toilets to give back to his community.
Farming without arms
He was a Paralympian who represented South Africa overseas in different sporting fields. Now he works in a different field altogether.
From street waste collector to climbing the corporate ladder
Lordwick Kgatle’s story is one of resilience and triumph and the desire to overcome far greater than the odds stacked against him.
WATCH: iRekere is therapy for ex-nyaope addict!
"I survive through recycling. When I came out of drugs and had nothing to do, I saw that sitting around wouldn’t help me but lure me back to drugs. I then decided to do recycling."
WATCH: Domestic worker speaks about pitbulls attack!
47-year-old Dipuo Kokolosi is working on regaining her confidence after she was mauled allegedly by her bosses three pit bulls.
EDUCATION
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela recognised the transformative power of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a more just and equitable society.
He emphasised that education had the ability to break the chains of oppression and inequality and empower individuals to shape their own destiny.
The late statesman believed in providing equal opportunities for all children to access quality education, regardless of their background or socio-economic status.
Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice.
TEACHING HEROES
Teacher's singing helps pupils shine!
Samkelo Mhlophe, well known as TikTok teacher, makes education entertaining.
Young Pfarelo, big heart!
While his high school peers were thinking about partying, Pfarelo Maphangula was starting a non-profit organisation to empower the youth.
Danilo goes from graduate, teacher to influencer and philanthropist
Danilo's happiest place is in his classroom where he teaches grade two learners.
SACRIFICE
Tata Madiba was a global symbol for sacrifice.
Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.
Despite enduring harsh conditions and isolation during his imprisonment, Mandela refused to compromise his principles and continued to inspire millions with his unwavering commitment to freedom and equality.
After his release from prison in 1990, Mandela sacrificed his own safety and worked tirelessly to negotiate a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa.
Today, so many live his legacy through making personal sacrifices for the greater good of their community.
SACRIFICE HEROES
Young Bonolo has a big heart
Bonolo Moahludi is passionate about helping kids who are less fortunate than her.
Limpopo man builds scenic park for his village
He always had aspirations to one day have a park of his own. He started creating his dream space in his backyard.
Dick guards big pothole
For almost two years, motorists have been ducking a big pothole on the R101 road. Resident Dick Mathebula (54), who lives near the pothole, decided to guard it.
Makhi does not mind carrying Gloria (57) on his back!
A good samaritan and neighbour has dedicated time to helping Gloria Ludidi.
From father to son, 1 hectare to 30 for farming
He had very simple intentions when he first started - to cut costs and make it easier for people in his village to get vegetables.
SunPower nabs 'abusive' social worker!
A social worker who allegedly assaulted a mentally ill mother has been arrested, thanks to SunPower.
COURAGE
In the long fight against apartheid he showed tremendous courage and stamina.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
His unwavering belief in the power of nonviolence and his commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights fueled his courage.
Even after his release, Mandela fearlessly confronted the challenges of leading a divided nation, promoting reconciliation, and dismantling the system of apartheid. His remarkable courage serves as a shining example to people all over the world, reminding us of the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice.
COURAGEOUS HEROES
WATCH: How petrol attendant saved people from burning taxi
Not all heroes wear capes.
Soweto's vuvuzela patrollers
Bramfischerville patrollers have taken it upon themselves to keep their community safe against all odds.
Boy (9) saves blind gogo!
Had it not been for him, his blind gogo Nontando Mangena (59) would not be alive today. Her shack in Endlovini in Khayelitsha, caught fire while she was asleep.
He failed four times but never gave up
He had every excuse in the book to throw in the towel but giving up was not an option for Buntu Wellem.
Pupil protects school from tsotsis!
Grade 6 pupil Amahle Kameni has been recognised as a kasi hero.
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