Good News

BULLETIN 24 July

Good afternoon. Here is your Good News:

# South Africa has been ranked as the third-best African country to visit with kids. A study by tour operator Go2Africa says the country has a well-developed tourism infrastructure and is considered safe for family travel. Seychelles comes out on top both in Africa and globally as the top most kid-friendly country to visit. It boasts the most family-friendly hotels, attractions, and restaurants, making it the top choice for parents. Morocco is second in Africa with Namibia and Madagascar fourth and fifth respectively.

# Through Stellenbosch University’s Handlab, deaf learners across South Africa can access vital learning and teaching support material tailored to their needs. Initially piloted for the Western Cape Education Department between 2010 and 2012, the project aimed to develop a curriculum that catered specifically to deaf learners. Handlab’s influence now extends beyond the Western Cape, reaching all 40 schools for the deaf across the country. Project coordinator Vanessa Reyneke says the project’s success lies in its adaptability, considering the dialectal differences within sign language.

# The Body Stress Release Foundation is supporting children from underprivileged backgrounds with special needs by providing stress relief and improving mobility. The body stress release technique helps individuals overcome physical and emotional tension and ease discomfort and pain. The foundation does monthly outreaches in Cape Town and twice a year, they visit the Khwezi Lokusa Special Needs School in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, and venture out to Zambia as well.

# University of Witwatersrand School of Arts students in the Film and TV Department are set to benefit from a Netflix Creative Equity grant. The grant will be used to develop creative digital infrastructure in the department and will provide students with state-of-the-art equipment in their learning and content-creation journey. Netflix’s Allison Triegaardt says they are not only investing in growing the production of local films and series but also want to continue investing in programmes that increase equitable access to training for the next generation of storytellers.

# And finally, 82-year-old Lumka Koyana has published her debut book titled, Good, Bitter, Best. She is the wife of pioneering Roman Law lecturer at the University of Fort Hare, the late professor Beresford Svatho Koyana. The book, written 25 years ago upon her retirement, delves into her upbringing by her grandparents in Healdtown, her journey into nursing, her career switch to teaching, and the challenges of navigating life after becoming widowed at age 33. Koyana says she wrote the book to inspire single mothers, widows, and young professionals.

Stay tuned for more news………….