Good News

BULLETIN 28 November 

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The University of the Free State will confer honorary doctorates on Benita Diop and professor Murray Leibbrandt next month. Diop is the special envoy of the chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace, and Security, and has dedicated her life to advocating for women’s leadership in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. She will be awarded an honorary doctorate of Philosophy in African Studies. Leibbrandt, who is the University of Cape Town’s research chair in Poverty and Inequality Research, will receive an honorary doctorate of Philosophy in Economic and Management Sciences.

# Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza will formally recognise the remarkable achievements of three distinguished individuals during today’s council sitting. They are Paris Olympic gold medallist, Bayanda Walaza, and Mpumelelo Tshabalala who claimed boxing’s IBO World Championship belt this year. The third is sergeant Keshi Mabunda, who was the lead investigator in the case of a former policewoman who killed her family members to claim funeral policies. The mayor’s office says the honoured individuals exemplify outstanding contributions to the community.

# Two Western Cape learners have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2024 Izmir International Innovation Science Energy Engineering Fair in Turkey. Thiedu du Preez will present his project that looks at the use of natural products for sealing wounds and providing protection from infections. Aadil Dawood’s project analyses the impact of exercise on the human body at molecular level. Education MEC David Maynier says the learners will find the event to be a valuable and fulfilling experience:

# This year’s Breadline Africa Funky Socks Day campaign raised nearly 1.5-million-rand, half-a-million-rand more than last year’s total. The campaign united South Africans from all walks of life to support early childhood development centres in vulnerable communities. The funds will provide 50 ECD centres across South Africa and Namibia with essential classroom materials and resources. These educational resource packs include puzzles, activity books, play dough, stationery, books, chairs, and tables. Breadline Africa’s CEO, Marion Wagner, says investing in early childhood development is key to building a brighter future for children.

# And finally: Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is tracking to open to around one-billion-rand over the December 20 to 22 weekend, compared to around 910-million-rand for Mufasa: The Lion King. This is according to data from leading research firm National Research Group. The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie opened with just more than a billion-rand domestic debut in February 2020.

Stay tuned for more news………….