Good News

BULLETIN 2 July

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# South Africa is gearing up for the Guinness World Record for the biggest braai. The current title belongs to Uruguay, which grilled 16.5 tonnes of meat in 2017. On Heritage Day on 24 September, Castle Lager and Big Save are firing up plans to play host to the World’s Biggest Braai. To kick things off, Castle unveiled the “Grillboard”, a billboard with a built-in working braai, on Vilakazi Street in Soweto. This has already sparked national excitement for this proudly South African challenge. Brand director, Thomas Lawrence, says the world’s biggest braai belongs in South Africa.

# City Power has announced the arrival of new electric vehicle charging stations, marking a key milestone in Johannesburg’s clean energy transition. Part of its ten-Point Energy Plan, the rollout includes converting City Power’s fleet to electric, building city-wide charging infrastructure, and introducing battery-swapping systems. Spokesperson Isaac Mangena says the initiative will reduce emissions and fuel costs, and boost skills development, positioning Johannesburg as a leader in green mobility and economic innovation:

# The University of Pretoria has launched Season 5 of its acclaimed LeadUP Podcast, with the first episode featuring UP alumna Sumarie Greybe. The podcast gives the UP community and the public access to exceptional Tuks alumni and associates, who share some of the secrets of their success and the stories behind their rise to the top. The university says Season 5 promises to continue the podcast’s tradition of highlighting innovators, leaders, and other inspiring alumni who are having a meaningful impact in South Africa and beyond.

# In Kenya’s Marereni region, mangrove loss has worsened coastal erosion, depleted fish stocks, and undermined livelihoods. A U.S.-based nonprofit organisation, Seatrees, are restoring mangroves through its marine biodiversity credit programme. The project supports over 600 community members, providing income through nurseries and conservation. With scientific monitoring and community engagement, they’ve planted 190-thousand trees, boosting biodiversity and fish catches. Despite challenges like illegal logging and pollution, restoration efforts continue to uplift both ecosystems and livelihoods.

# And finally: The wait is over for K-pop fans. The South Korean band BTS confirmed their highly anticipated comeback, scheduling a new album and tour for next year. Announcing the news during their first live stream since all band members completed their mandatory military service, the seven-strong group said they would head to the US later this month to begin working on new music, to be released in 2026.  It will be BTS’s first world tour since the group’s Permission to Dance on Stage tour back in 2022, and their first album since 2020.

Stay tuned for more news………….