Good News

BULLETIN 28 August

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# Celebrated South African actor, director, and playwright John Kani is now a member of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ voting body. This exclusive group is responsible for selecting Oscar winners each year. Kani joins film producer Anant Singh as the only South African currently in the academy’s elite voting membership. Kani, best known globally for his roles in Black Panther and Disney’s Mufasa, says he will serve this institution with honesty and integrity.

# Cape Town Tourism has launched the Artificial Intelligence in Tourism Hub. Amongst other things, the hub aims to collaborate on practical AI solutions to address tourism industry challenges, and co-create strategic use cases for AI in marketing, visitor safety, sustainability, and efficiency. Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy says this hub will ensure AI works to advance tourism and create richer experiences for tourists to the metro:

# Distance For Difference is marking 20 years of changing children’s lives, having raised more than 13-million-rand for over 60 charities across South Africa. To celebrate, the non-profit organisation is hosting two exciting fundraising events in the Boland in September and October. First up will be the GRATITUDE Run at Dornier Wines in Stellenbosch on Heritage Day, the 24th of September. In October the legendary THE500 24-Hour Cycling and Spinning Challenge will take place in Somerset West, where cyclists will aim for 500 kilometres in 24 hours.

# The Tshwane University of Technology’s Girls in Tech empowerment programme is transforming opportunities for young women in information and communications technology. The programme offers mentorship, hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technologies and opportunities to connect with accomplished ICT professionals. It also sharpens vital soft skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving, ensuring students are well-rounded and industry-ready. TUT’s Thembeka Manetje says this inclusive platform allows young women to learn, grow and boldly pursue success in technology.

# And finally: Dutch cheesemaking expert Eline van der Velde has given University of the Free State students a unique taste of hands-on learning. She spent two weeks at the university’s Paradys experimental farm, teaching students and working with staff to strengthen the institution’s dairy processing unit. Students learnt how to prepare paneer, halloumi, feta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese, while experimenting with flavoured varieties such as garlic-and-oregano and chilli cheese.

Stay tuned for more news………….