Good News

BULLETIN 13 October

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# Stony Point Nature Reserve at Bettys Bay in the Western Cape’s Penguin Palooza celebrates African penguin conservation, drawing families to markets, exhibits, and penguin releases. With African penguins now critically endangered, CapeNature and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds lead efforts to protect the species while boosting local tourism. CapeNature’s Petro van Rhyn says the event inspires action to safeguard penguins and South Africa’s marine ecosystems:

# Two studentpreneurs from Nelson Mandela University have been named among the top 20 finalists in the prestigious Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Absa Innovation Challenge 2025. Ayabulela Binase developed the NanoLAMP Diagnostic Field Kit, designed for early detection of viral pathogens that affect common bean crops in South Africa. Jazmyn du Preez is the founder of Fin Align, a mobile-first financial app designed specifically for South Africans. The national finals are set to take place in Gauteng on 25 November.

# The Western Cape Education Department’s learners and teachers have delivered an exceptional performance by winning 14 awards at the 2025 National Skills Competition. Education MEC, David Maynier says teachers and TVET college students from all nine provinces showcased their technical and vocational talents across a wide range of disciplines. He says participants competed in real-world, industry-relevant tasks:

# A group of committed athletes are preparing to walk 700 kilometres from Greenfields in Ekurhuleni to Durban next Wednesday, to raise funds for the Pariio Community Skills Centre. The centre will provide practical skills training and work opportunities for young people in South Africa, responding to high unemployment rates. The skills centre will start with sewing and baking classes. There are currently over 60 athletes who will join the virtual run as part of the fundraising campaign.

# And finally: Disney’s sci-fi sequel, Tron: Ares, starring Jared Leto, topped the North American box office on its debut. The movie, which is the third instalment in the Tron trilogy, follows humanity’s first contact with artificial intelligence as an advanced programme enters the physical world. Another newcomer, Miramax and Paramount’s romantic crime-comedy Roofman, came in second, with third place going to Leonardo DiCaprio’s comedic action epic, One Battle After Another. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie and The Conjuring: Last Rites rounded out the top five.

Stay tuned for more news………….