Good News

BULLETIN 8 November

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The Stellenbosch University’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has unveiled a cutting-edge research platform, paving the way in humanoid robotics. The university’s doctor William Duckitt says this groundbreaking platform showcases advanced robotics technology and demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration within engineering. He adds that the humanoid robot currently stands at full height, featuring a functional torso and a fully operable right arm and hand, while its left arm is nearing completion:

# The University of Pretoria celebrated its top academics at the 24th annual Academic Achievers’ Awards. This year, 114 winners were honoured across six categories. They include 96 academics who were recognised for being on the list of National Research Foundation-rated scholars for their outstanding work over the past year. The university’s vice-chancellor, Francis Petersen, says the efforts and achievements of the academics will ensure the institution’s continued success as a research-intensive university.

# Four young South African female coders have been selected to represent WeThinkCode and Africa’s Blockchain Club at Devcon 7 in Thailand, one of the world’s premier blockchain conferences. Maite Lemekoana, Lindokuhle Mlilo, Sandile M’remi, and Genevieve Shabangu, hail from the townships of Phalaborwa, Tembisa, and Soweto. They will showcase their innovative coding project called OffConnectX, which addresses the challenge of unreliable internet connectivity in rural African areas.

# The Johannesburg Bach Choir will boast some new young faces at its concert at the St John’s College Chapel in Hougton on the 17th of this month. Newcomer Monde Ngwane will sing a solo at the concert. The event will also mark the last occasion on which the retiring music director, Tim Roberts, will conduct the choir. He has led the choir for the past 15 years. The first concert of the choir was held in Bramley on the first of September 1964.

# And finally: Writer-producer Simon Kinberg has signed a deal with Lucasfilm to write and produce three Star Wars films. Kinberg co-created the animated series Star Wars: Rebels with Dave Filoni as well as Carrie Beck. The Emmy-nominated series ran for four seasons, from 2014 to 2018. He is best known for writing and producing several X-Men films for 20th Century Fox, including 2006’s The Last Stand, and 2016’s Deadpool. Kinberg’s Star Wars trilogy remains in early development with no date set for production.

Stay tuned for more news………….