Good News

BULLETIN 2 July 

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# One of the country’s first university choirs to blend western classics and traditional African melodies, the Nelson Mandela University Choir is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. Over the years, the choir has had many highlights including performing for Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth and Desmond Tutu. Earlier this year, the choir shared its stage in Gqeberha with singers from South Korea, showcasing the beauty of harmony and friendship through music. The choir is now under the baton of new director Robert Gillmer.

# Rhodes University presented a play that depicts South Africa’s past and present, under the title Madam President Evelyn. Thumamna Sibhozo from the Isikhumbuzo Applied History Unit was inspired to write this with the aim of fostering empathy among audiences for domestic workers. The play reflects on how past situations would look today by shedding light on the struggles of those who have been overlooked. Sibhozo says they referenced a worker from Makhanda who experienced being a domestic worker who witnessed the transition to the new South Africa.

# Irish non-profit organisation, Our Shoes, and the headmaster of St Andrews in Bloemfontein, Roland Rudd, have teamed up to provide new shoes to South African children. Thousands of Irish families donate gently-used and previously loved shoes, impacting underprivileged children. Earlier this year, 20-thousand pairs were sent to Cape Town. The initiative, founded by Ciarán McHugh and Kevin Grant, aims to reach 50-thousand children soon. Rudd highlights the joy and transformation in children when receiving new shoes.

# Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 continues to dominate the South Korean box office, bringing around 12-million-rand in its third weekend. The animation is the third highest-scoring film released in the country this year. It is also far ahead of Wonka as the most-watched import film of this year. Thriller Hijack 1971 came in second at the box office, followed by Handsome Guys in third, A Quiet Place: Day One fourth and Zone of Interest in fifth.

# And finally: A video-gaming Italian teenager will become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint after his cause for canonisation was approved by church authorities. Carlo Acutis died from leukemia at the age of 15 in 2006. He was renowned for using his computing skills to spread awareness of the Catholic faith, and earned the nickname God’s Influencer. Carlo is associated with the healing of two children after he was prayed to. His canonisation is likely to occur at some point during the Catholic Church’s jubilee celebrations next year.

Stay tuned for more news………….