Good News

BULLETIN 16 January

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The American Museum of Natural History has donated six shows for the reopening of the Johannesburg Planetarium. The planetarium, recently upgraded to world-class standards, reopens its doors in February, marking a new era for stargazing and science. The contribution by the museum aims to enhance the planetarium’s educational offerings and spark interest in astronomy. The partnership marks a milestone in fostering global collaboration in science education, with the shows expected to inspire and engage students, researchers, and the public alike.

# The North West University says it is committed to supporting initiatives that equip individuals with opportunities to shape a better future for themselves and their communities. The institution’s bhive Enterprise Development Centre recently joined forces with Radio Pulpit, I AM Youth and TBN Africa to host the Pitch Your Business Competition. The competition guides participants in transforming their ideas into viable ventures through three rounds. The university says by empowering individuals to become change-makers within their communities, they are igniting a wave of entrepreneurship.

# University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Master of Commerce student, Christopher Djuma, was recently recognised as one of the top ten most employable graduates in the GradStar Competition. The competition is designed to connect top graduates with employers and provides a platform for ambitious students to showcase their potential while networking with industry leaders and peers. Djuma says this recognition has enhanced his personal brand and instilled a higher sense of self-motivation and confidence.

# One of the rarest and most valuable South African coins the Single 9 1898 Pond coin, recently sold at auction for a record-breaking 40.10-million-rand including commission. It was created during the Anglo-Boer War. The coin’s value has steadily increased over the years, reaching 4.65-million-rand in 1999 during a private sale and 20-million-rand in 2010. Six additional coins also up for auction surpassed the one-million-rand mark. Bassani’s Auction House says this underscores the global appreciation for South Africa’s rich numismatic heritage.

# And finally: Edward Berger’s Vatican-set Papal mystery-thriller, Conclave, leads this year’s Bafta Film Awards nomination with 12. They include best film, director, leading actor for Ralph Fiennes and supporting actress for Isabella Rossellini. Spanish-language musical-thriller about a trans-Mexican cartel boss, Emilia Pérez, has received eleven nominations including leading actress for Karla Sofía Gascón and supporting actress for Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña. The Brutalist has nine nominations, followed by seven for Anora, Dune: Part Two and Wicked. The awards will be held in London on the 16th of February.

Stay tuned for more news………….