Good News

BULLETIN 9 June 

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# Twelve young South Africans have earned a spot on the 2025 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list. The individuals are being celebrated for their innovation, resilience, and leadership across several sectors, including healthcare, education, sport and music. Notables include Quantumed CEO Avian Bell, Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and menstrual health advocate Candice Chirwa. Their stories and accomplishments are praised for reflecting a generation committed to impact and purpose.

# Sunset Boulevard’s Nicole Scherzinger and Maybe Happy Ending’s Darren Criss won lead actress and actor in a musical at the 78th Tony Awards in New York City. Sarah Snook won her first Tony for best leading actress in a play for The Portrait of Dorian Gray, and Cole Escola took home best leading actor for Oh, Mary!. Maybe Happy Ending was named best musical, and Purpose won best play. Accepting her first Tony, an emotional Scherzinger says she finally feels like she belongs:

# Twenty-year-old ballerina, Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa, says through her ballet studio, she wants to open a world of possibilities for young children from the township. She has built a ballet studio in Tembisa, Gauteng, named Mballet, with classes held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Mkhatshwa told Newzroom Afrika she wants the studio to be proof that black kids can break through and achieve greatness:

# Rhodes University launched the 120th Anniversary Merit Scholarship, a prestigious new award aimed at recognising and empowering top-performing learners from the Makana Municipality. The scholarship has been established through a joint agreement between Rhodes University and leading Makhanda independent schools – Diocesan School for Girls, St Andrew’s College, and Kingswood College. The scholarship covers full tuition and residence fees, along with a book and living allowance annually. It will be renewable each year based on academic performance and active participation in community engagement initiatives at the university.

# And finally, volleyball: University of Pretoria graduate, doctor Danilo von Ludwiger, is aiming to qualify for the 2025 International Beach Volleyball World Championships in Australia in November. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery while representing South Africa in the sport. Von Ludwiger is also hoping to compete at the 2028 LA Olympics. He says long term, he is considering specialising in sports medicine or orthopaedics to combine his passions.

Stay tuned for more news………….