Another long weekend is here! No more chocolate Easter eggs (unless your name is Louise Sanders – in which case you are allowed to frantically search the shelves at Checkers, Pick’n'Pay and Spar for leftovers), but celebrate Freedom Day on Monday by making a decadent Bar One Cake and sharing it with your family, friends and neighbours! Before you start melting the chocolates, however, let’s take a look at positive news that made the headlines this week.

Economy boosted by sporting events

At the end of May the British and Irish Lion rugby tour will kick off in SA – expected to bring in a whopping R1 billion. And because we are hosting several major sporting events this year, including three high-profile international tournaments, a total economy boost of R4 billion has been predicted!

Reference: SA Good News

Sonwabo Qathula – man enough to wear an apron

It’s not often you’ll see a man in the kitchen, but Sonwabo Quathula and six of his friends have decided to get actively involved in helping others after learning about gender stereotypes. Making a positive contribution to their community in Qumbu, 60km outside of Mthatha, these seven wonderful men are working as caregivers with the Siyakhanyisa HIV/Aids support group.

Reference: Mail & Guardian

Limpopo kids get free school uniforms

The ANC has donated socks, shirts, skirts, trousers and shoes valued at over R10 000 to orphans and children of unemployed parents from Khadzinge secondary school in Makhuvha village outside Thohoyandou.

Reference: News 24

KZN street kids given new hope

Buhle Mjoli and Russel Machi, two strong-minded children’s rights activists from Durban, has launched the Shonaphansi Street Children Operation (Sisco) – offering a lifeline to youths who have grown up on the streets and are no longer eligible for social grants through welfare bodies. “Some of these youngsters have spent more than ten years on the street. They can’t get work and don’t have IDs, so inevitably they survive by committing petty crime. Their only hope is to be given life skills and be taught how to be human. Otherwise they will end up on life’s scrap heap,” said Mjoli.

Reference: Independent Online