The episode features an interview with Friesland journalist Marguerite van Wijk, who recounts a personal story about her cat. In 2024, she returned from a press trip to find her indoor cat Bravo Magnificat had slipped out the front door of her fourth-floor apartment in Cape Town. The cat was missing for five and a half days, during which Marguerite became increasingly anxious and mobilized a search effort. Friends from Australia designed and sent posters, which she distributed around her apartment block and under cars. She even consulted a cat psychic, though this led her astray. Marguerite offered a reward for information and received false alarms until a building worker tipped her off about a red cat at the pool. She found Bravo Magnificat trembling under a bush there, alive after the ordeal. Many people had told her she would never recover her cat, but the incident garnered widespread attention on social media, with people across South Africa asking daily about the cat's status. The cat became a minor celebrity in the country. Feeling grateful, Marguerite decided to create Boekmaaks as a way to give back. Boekmaaks, derived from 'bookmarks' and her nickname 'Maaks,' is an initiative selling secondhand books on Instagram and Facebook. People can donate books or money to a dedicated Boekmaaks account, and books are delivered via friends to save on postage. In its first year, Boekmaaks raised 56,000 rand, followed by 101,000 rand in the second year, and is now in its third year. Marguerite focuses on supporting animal welfare organizations because she is passionate about animals, noting that many other groups aid people. She researches organizations in need, such as Sidewalk Specials in the Doorns, which provides sterilization, operations, medication, and rescues animals from dire conditions, often returning them to local residents who lack resources. Kijp SBCI works against illegal dogfighting, offering sterilization, medication, operations, and awareness campaigns. Dogs of Naaf, in the Bates area, is run by her friend Elmerie Ward in collaboration with Pet Aakt. Silver Paws Senior Dogs cares for elderly dogs abandoned by owners who can no longer afford their care, providing a safe place in their final years. Marguerite expresses amazement at how people have opened their hearts to these animals and encourages listeners to follow her on Instagram @bookmarks and contact her to support the cause.
