Good News

BULLETIN 2 December 

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The South African National Biodiversity Institute has partnered with artist and sculptor Anton Smit to display 15 of his sculptures at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. Smit is widely known for his monumental bronze sculptures which showcase themes of suffering, reconciliation, glory and sublimation. Sanbi spokesperson Nontsikelelo Mpulo says visitors can now marvel at the exquisite art pieces created by Smit inside the garden, which serves as a green refuge for residents in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria.

# Newly crowned 2024 Miss Soweto, Mbali Khumalo, has vowed to advocate for issues of mental health during her reign. The 20-year-old Psychology and Portuguese student at the University of the Witwatersrand was crowned at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on Saturday night. Sharing her struggles with depression and anxiety, Khumalo emphasises the importance of supporting mental health awareness. Onthatile Mohuba and Boitumelo Molotsane were the runners-up.

# Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has boosted the metro’s bursary fund with over eight-million-rand. The amount was raised during a Mayoral Golf Day event in which Xhakaza personally pledged 50-thousand-rand. The fund will help 100 students in 2025, particularly those pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and aviation. Eligible matriculants can apply for the bursaries through the Ekurhuleni recruitment portal by the 20th of this month.

# Disney Entertainment co-chairperson, Alan Bergman, says Moana 2 has far surpassed expectations and is a testament to the phenomenon that Moana has become. The animation film starring Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson has become the biggest five-day debut in history, overtaking Universal’s 2023 The Super Mario Bros. Moana 2 also scored the second-biggest worldwide launch of the year so far behind fellow Disney movie Deadpool & Wolverine. Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator 2, both of which opened last weekend, are continuing to bring out audiences.

# And finally: Known for its world-renowned museums and nightlife, London has been crowned the best city in the world for the tenth consecutive year. The 2025 World’s Best Cities report used a survey of more than 22-percent people in 30 countries to rank 270 of the world’s largest cities. The report says London’s resilient spirit and unmatched global appeal mean it continues to be a desirable city. New York was ranked second, followed by Paris, Tokyo and Singapore. Cape Town is 85th on the list.

Stay tuned for more news………….