Good News

BULLETIN 30 January

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The Mission 300 initiative, aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, has secured over 249-billion-rand in new pledges. Led by the World Bank and African Development Bank, the initiative has drawn support from institutions like the Islamic Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Despite economic challenges, the project is a vital step toward reducing Africa’s 600 million people without power, enhancing development and access to clean cooking energy.

# The first violinist and artistic leader of the Odeion string quartet at the University of the Free State, Samantha Durrant, wants to make the group the centrepiece of string training and performance in South Africa. The only quartet in residence at a South African university, it is bridging talent with global excellence, performing works by masters such as Haydn and Beethoven, while also celebrating contemporary compositions. Durrant says the opportunity to collaborate with living composers is an unparalleled gift, offering insights into their inspirations and musical intentions.

# Non-profit organisation, Samaritan’s Feet South Africa, has collected and distributed 100-thousand shoes to disadvantaged children and vulnerable people across the country. The charity’s core focus is to serve impoverished children and the elderly who don’t have proper shoes. CEO Hermien Louw says their goals for this year are to distribute 50-thousand more pairs of shoes, expand its reach nationally, and deepen its impact through collaborative efforts with other organisations.

# The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has named Minke Janse van Rensburg as Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability. The 20-year-old has broken multiple world records in Down Syndrome swimming over the past seven years. On her debut at the European Down Syndrome Championships in Italy in 2023, she brought home six medals, one gold, four silver and one bronze. Speaking to the SABC, her father Hennie Janse van Rensburg, said Minke has become a great inspiration for many:

# And finally: Netflix is creating a reboot of the beloved show Little House on the Prairie, which is loosely based on the bestselling book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. More than 73-million copies of the books have been sold to date. The books were first adapted into a popular NBC series which aired for nine seasons between 1974 and ’83. Netflix’s Jinny Howe says they are excited to share the book’s enduring themes of hope and optimism with a fresh take on this iconic story.

Stay tuned for more news………….