The platform was created by the team behind Good Things Guy, South African good news platform, in celebration of their 10th birthday in 2025. And while the name may be new, the roots of The Helpers go back to one of the most difficult periods in recent memory: the COVID-19 pandemic, says the platform.

"During lockdown, our inbox was flooded daily," says Good Things Guy Founder Brent Lindeque. "People weren't just sharing stories, they were reaching out for help. Urgently. Whether it was food, shelter, safety from abuse, or help for animals, the need was overwhelming. That's when we realised: people needed more than just good news. They needed a way to find help fast."

What started as a small "charity" section on the Good Things Guy website quietly curated by editor Tyler Leigh Vivier quickly grew into a vital resource, and now, into The Helpers, a fully searchable, centralised directory of trusted charitable organisations across South Africa, adds the platform.

A New Kind of Charity Platform

Visitors can search by location, type of support, or cause, making it easy to find or offer help based on specific needs. From organisations supporting gender-based violence survivors, to school feeding schemes, trauma counsellors, legal aid services, climate action groups, and spay and neuter programmes, the platform already spans dozens of categories and continues to grow daily.

"It's a space for everyone," says Lindeque. "For people needing help. For people wanting to help. For South Africans who still believe in the power of showing up for one another."

The platform covers a wide range of charitable areas, including animal welfare, education and literacy, mental health, environment and conservation, LGBTQIA+ support, disaster relief and technology access, among many others. All organisations are reviewed to ensure credibility and impact, adds the platform.

A Community-Built Solution

The Good Things Guy team may have created the platform, but it's the community that powers it. Any verified organisation can register and list themselves for free. The site is also built for scalability, meaning it will evolve as more South Africans engage with it, add listings and share resources, says the platform.

"We're a small team," concludes Vivier, "but we've always believed in doing something meaningful with our platform. The Helpers isn't about us — it's about the heroes on the ground and the people they serve."

For more information, visit www.goodthingsguy.com. You can also follow Good Things Guy on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor