Good News

BULLETIN 16 May

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The Automobile Association predicts significant fuel price cuts in June. Unaudited mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund reveals that the price of 95-octane petrol is expected to drop by about 61-cents a litre, and 93-octane petrol by about 63-cents. Diesel prices are expected to decrease by about 74-cents a litre and the price of illuminating paraffin by 69-cents. The association says the main drivers behind the possible decreases are a strengthening rand and lower international oil prices.

# Globally acclaimed African Studies and History scholar professor Toyin Falola has been honoured with an honorary doctorate by the University of Pretoria. This is in recognition for his distinguished academic achievements and outstanding contributions as a public intellectual. Falola, who is a professor of History at the University of Texas in Austin, is regarded as one of Africa’s most distinguished historians and has authored and edited over 200 books. He says this recognition by the university of his work and career is truly special.

# Wits University, in collaboration with the Liberty Group, has launched a new FinTech research hub. The hub is a space where researchers, thinkers, tinkerers, and problem-solvers can meet and collaborate to develop optimal solutions to real-world problems. The university’s professor Jason Cohen says the hub will contribute enormously to building the sorts of local capacity the financial services sector needs, and provide the skills needed to futureproof organisations in the sector.

# University of the Free State Department of Fine Arts junior lecturer, Johandi du Plessis-Kleynhans, has been awarded the prestigious Ampersand Fellowship and Residency to study in New York. She recently hosted her solo exhibition, Viral Images, at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, showcasing her mastery of installation art. Du Plessis-Kleynhans incorporated diverse mediums and materials, from sculpture to digital interventions. She says installation art is not just a medium, but an experience that transforms spaces and engages viewers on multiple sensory levels.

# And finally: With today being International Day of the Boy Child, a non-profit organisation is mentoring fatherless boys, promoting values like kindness, honesty, and self-discipline. The Character Company says in societies striving towards improved gender equity, enhanced safety and fair opportunities for women and girls, it can be common to overlook the needs and challenges of today’s boys. Founder and CEO, Jaco van Schalkwyk, says boys cannot continue to be ignored, and people then being surprised that they become a product of the examples set in society.

Stay tuned for more news………….