Good News

BULLETIN 14 February

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# According to the latest Ipsos love life satisaction study, South Africans are among the happiest in love, ranking eleventh globally. The survey of 30 countries shows 80-percent feel loved, and 87-percent of couples are happy in their relationships. South Africans also report higher romantic satisfaction than many European countries. Ipsos’ Robyn Williams says the findings highlight a strong culture of love and connection, making South Africa a romantic hotspot this Valentine’s Day.

# The City of Cape Town will stop sending printed bills via the South African Postal Service after 31 December this year. Over 430-thousand accounts are already emailed, with the city urging account holders to switch by sending their account number and email address via email or SMS. Mayoral committee member for Finance, Siseko Mbandezi, highlights benefits like reduced postal risks, easy account tracking, and environmental sustainability. He calls on account holders without email access to contact the city’s call centre for assistance.

# Ten-year-old Bulumko Ndumela from Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape has been selected to compete at the World Cadet and Youth Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Greece in April. Before heading to Greece, she will participate in the under-10 Female Section of the South African Junior Closed Chess Championships in the Western Cape next month. Makukhanye Primary School, where Bulumko attends, is seeking support from the public in the form of donations and sponsorships, which will assist her with accommodation, transport, meals, and registration.

# Helderberg Academy of Theatre is set to premiere a bold new production called Fiddler on the Roof at the Playhouse in Somerset West tomorrow. The production by musical theatre duo Darryl Spijkers and Jon-Pual Ruschenbaum explores the themes of tradition, family, and love. The widely acclaimed and experienced cast includes Griffin Poole, Andrew Goldie, Kelly Holmes, Nicola Wheeler, and William le Roux. The production will run until the 25th of this month.

# And finally: Oscar-winning British actress Tilda Swinton has been awarded the Berlin Film Festival‘s Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement. She has had close ties to the festival for nearly four decades, starring in 26 films in the event’s selection. This year’s festival kicked off on yesterday with the world premiere of The Light, a tale of a dysfunctional German family and a Syrian refugee. In her speech, Swinton called out political extremism, environmental degradation, and the rise of authoritarianism around the world.

Stay tuned for more news………….