Good News

BULLETIN 4 March

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The contemporary art market is experiencing unprecedented growth as investors seek diversification and alternative assets. Research by Horizon Grand View Research reveals that the South African art tourism market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.9-percent from 2025 to 2030, with galleries and museums taking up the largest segment. Aspire Art CEO, Marelize van Zyl, told the SABC art is fast becoming a compelling opportunity for long-term value appreciation and cultural significance:

# University of Pretoria’s professor De Wet Swanepoel says the recognition he recently received from the American Academy of Audiology highlights the importance of making hearing care accessible to those who need it most. He received the International Award for Hearing for his research that seeks to expand mobile hearing care to underserved areas locally and globally. Swanepoel co-founded the digital health company, hearX Group. Only two-percent of people in Africa who need hearing aids actually get them. The university says Swanepoel’s recognition will open doors to new opportunities for international collaborations.

# The City of Cape Town has awarded bursaries to 26 deserving individuals as part of a programme to fill the scarce skills gap by supporting study in essential fields. They will pursue their studies in the fields of Accounting, Computer Science, Information Technology and Systems, various Engineering fields; Law studies and Urban Planning. The metro says it currently has 17 external bursars in total at various stages of completion of their studies, and the addition of the 26 new candidates raises this total to 43 bursars.

# Sol Plaatje University’s first-year Bachelor of Arts student, Abel Mokwena, recently made his professional debut for the Northern Cape Heats. This is the province’s professional cricket team. The team competes at Level 2 of Cricket South Africa’s 50-over format, showcasing some of the region’s best talent. The university says Mokwena’s achievement is a milestone that highlights the institution’s dedication to fostering sporting talent and contributing to the broader sporting landscape in the province.

# And finally: Simone Biles, Max Verstappen, and Carlos Alcaraz have been nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards. Biles, the world’s most decorated gymnast, is up for sportswoman of the year alongside world number one tennis player Aryna Sabalenka and athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen, tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, and Olympic pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis are nominated for sportsman of the year. The USA basketball men’s national team and the F1 team McLaren are up for team of the year.

Stay tuned for more news………….