Good News

BULLETIN 10 September

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# Over 20-thousand submissions from 30 different countries were received for this year’s Music Photography Awards. The Abbey Road studios have now revealed the nominees, with two new categories added: portrait and festivals. The photographs up for awards feature stars including Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Maggie Rogers, Doja Cat, and Burna Boy. All 40 images nominated will be on display in Outnet’s Now Pop One venue in London later this month. The awards ceremony will take place at London’s Abbey Road on the second of October.

# The Realness Institute, in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective and the Canada Media Fund, has announced the four African participants for the 2025 AuthenticA Series Lab. They are Ghana’s storyteller Gamel Apalayine, Nigerian-British poet and filmmaker Joladé Olusanya, award-winning Kenyan scriptwriter, Mona Ombogo, and award-winning Egyptian-Canadian filmmaker, Reem Morsi. The programme gives screenwriters a unique opportunity to shape their original ideas into episodic storytelling across any genre. The four will participate in three in-person residencies in South Africa, Switzerland, and France.  

# US retail giant, Walmart, plans to open its first branded stores in South Africa. The move follows its Growth Summit, which recruited Africa-based suppliers. Massmart CEO Miles van Rensburg says Walmart aims to deliver everyday low prices while supporting local suppliers. He says the launch will boost jobs, and digital shopping experiences. Van Rensburg confirmed that site developments are in place, while locations and opening dates will be revealed soon:

# The University of the Free State has launched the Good Money Habits App, a dedicated initiative designed to support informal sector and township businesses. The app is part of a research project at the Centre for Development Support, exploring effective ways to support informal enterprises. It offers 15 short videos on practical, day-to-day financial management for township and micro-enterprises. The university says suggestions for future development included expanding the platform by offering content in multiple local languages to broaden accessibility.

# And finally: Producers Babylonstoren, DE Rustica Estate, and Mardouw Investments were some of the big winners of the 2025 SA Olive Awards held in Wellington, Western Cape. The awards shine a spotlight on the producers who dedicate themselves to crafting premium oils that rival the best in the world. A panel of expert tasters certified oils and awarded the gold, silver or bronze stamps of excellence. SA Olive CEO Wendy Petersen says the awards celebrate the entire industry’s commitment to quality and authenticity.

Stay tuned for more news………….