Good News

BULLETIN 21 October 

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The City of Cape Town says the 13th annual Bonsai Festival at the Company’s Garden was a vibrant celebration of creativity culture and horticultural mastery. This year’s theme was Bonsai and Art in the Park. Mayoral committee member for Community Services, Francine Higham, says the festival featured a showcase of works by local emerging artists alongside the ArtsAweh! Exhibition. She adds that visitors had the unique opportunity to experience art in a natural setting.

# The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure has modernised its road maintenance “yellow fleet,” reducing the average age of vehicles by over 20 years and increasing the fleet’s replacement value to 2.8-billion-rand. MEC for Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers says investments include remote monitoring, solar-powered radio networks, and new machinery for graders, tractor-loader-backhoes, and water trucks:

# FNB has been awarded four accolades of excellence in artificial intelligence at the inaugural 2025 Global AI Awards, hosted by The Digital Banker. The bank says the awards assess and honour organisations and teams that have delivered breakthrough AI-powered products and services that have enhanced operational efficiencies and improved decision-making with data-driven insights. FNB says it was honoured with awards in Outstanding Use of AI in Digital Sales Strategy, Best AI Powered Insurance Provider, Best AI Powered Retail Bank, and Best AI Powered SME Bank.

# The Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape has celebrated its 14th Annual Community Engagement Awards. The awards, guided by partnership, leadership, and love, honoured students, staff, and community partners who have given their time, energy, and creativity to projects that continue transforming lives. Vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela says community engagement is not a once-off act, but a way of life. He adds the awards were not just a celebration of achievements, but a collective recommitment to the idea that Rhodes University does not exist apart from Makhanda, but as part of the community.

# And finally: The Durban University of Technology’s Department of Food and Nutrition hosted its annual Student Awards Day. The ceremony honoured students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their studies and to the values of the department. Among the top achievers was third-year student Amanda Ngcamu, who walked away with two accolades, the academic excellence award, and the best academic in nutrition award. Department head Ashika Naicker says the awards are a testament to the hard work and resilience that students have shown throughout the year.

Stay tuned for more news………….