Good News

BULLETIN 17 April 

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# The University of South Africa has conferred an honorary doctorate of Philosophy in Mathematics to renowned Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu. She was honoured at a graduation ceremony at the university’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria. A self-taught artist with no academic qualifications, Mahlangu is known for her bold large-scale contemporary paintings referencing her Ndebele heritage. Unisa says she is a remarkable example of how art can transcend boundaries and connect people across cultures.

# Nineteen-year-old Owami Ngqono is set to become the youngest graduand to be capped at the University of Fort Hare’s autumn graduation ceremony. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Agriculture in Economics degree next week. She started her journey at the university at age 16, after passing matric with distinctions in Agricultural Science, Maths Literacy, and isiXhosa, from Lamplough High School. Owami, who turns 20 in June, says she is determined to achieve even more.

# The film industry is experiencing a significant upswing in the Garden Route region of the Western Cape, with new opportunities for youth from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. To facilitate their entry into the industry, a skills development programme has been launched, with the initial phase concentrating on video editing. The National Film and Video Foundation says it seeks to equip local talents with the necessary skills, thereby creating essential employment opportunities within the film industry. Phase two will provide internship opportunities in film production.

# A new docuseries titled ‘Vrystaatbewoners’ is shining a light on the Free State’s lesser-known attractions and its vibrant residents. Produced by kykNET and BrightRock, the series’ director, Ian Martin, describes it as a journey of discovery and empathy. Each episode pays homage to the resourcefulness of Free State residents, capturing the essence of urban life, small-town charm, and tranquil farmlands. Martin hopes the series will inspire viewers to explore the heartland of South Africa.

# And finally: A groundbreaking oral history of The Beatles, All You Need Is Love, is currently number two on Amazon’s music books chart, a week after its release. The 352-page hardcover is presented in a question and answer interview format, with the band members, friends and families sharing unpublished stories. All the interviews in the book, written by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, were conducted between 1980 and ’81. Meanwhile, Disney Plus is adding the 1970 Beatles film Let It Be to its platform on the eighth of next month.

Stay tuned for more news………….