Good News

BULLETIN 21 January

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# Cape Town had another bumper December period, with over half-a-million arrivals and a three-percent year-on-year growth. Cape Town International Airport recorded more than 160-thousand international arrivals, while 362-thousand-222 domestic visitors arrived. The most notable growth came from regional flights, which accounted for ten-thousand-491 passengers, an increase of 22.5-percent. Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy, says these numbers show the growing confidence in the city as a destination that draws visitors from all corners:

# A new Afrikaans language e-hailing service, Wanatu, has launched in Centurion and Pretoria. The service seeks to employ 90 drivers who speak Afrikaans. While Afrikaans proficiency is required for drivers, the service is accessible to everyone with an English translation button on the app. Wanatu says it will directly employ its drivers, offering salaries and incentives to ensure safe and quality service, particularly for vulnerable clients. The platform offers features like tracking devices in each car, panic buttons, and a control room monitoring driver behaviour.

# The South African Police Service says it remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering the youth and fostering academic excellence through its Education Trust. Eighteen beneficiaries of the fund passed the 2024 matric exams with eleven achieving a bachelor’s pass. Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says the outstanding performance of these learners is a testament to the effectiveness of the programme:

Meanwhile, as part of its MillionPlus programme, Polyolefin Responsibility Organisation has distributed back-to-school goodie bags to over six-thousand Grade 1 learners across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. Each bag included a lunch box, bottle, and stationery kit. Polyco’s Chantal Philander says schools also received educational booklets, providing practical tools to support environmental education in the classroom:

# And finally: Sean Baker’s Anora starring Mikey Madison has earned five nominations for the 25th Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards. They are for best picture, best screenplay, director, best female actor for Madison, and supporting male actor for Yuri Borisov. The Brutalist received three nominations including for best male actor for Adrien Brody. Golden Globe winner Zoe Saldaña is up for best supporting female actor for her role in Emilia Pérez. A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic, bagged three nominations. The winners will be announced on the 19th of February.

Stay tuned for more news………….