Beautiful News has been showcasing positive South African stories for the past two years, and Mercedes-Benz South Africa has just renewed its partnership with the team. That’s 615 stories – and counting – that showcase the best of South Africa.
Every day, at 4.14pm, a new story is released on Facebook in recognition of the time of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison on 11 February 1990 – the moment the global community joined South Africa in celebrating its most extraordinary Beautiful News story (view showreel of Beautiful News stories).
Now Mercedes-Benz has announced the renewal of its partnership with Beautiful News. The occasion is being celebrated with a week of stories about Madiba, paying tribute to his legacy that defined a country.
The renewed partnership with Mercedes-Benz means Beautiful News will keep telling its stories through powerful short films and photographs – with the only difference that it has moved to Facebook as its primary platform.
The move to Facebook has seen Beautiful News reach more people than ever before: in the first three months of 2018, BN stories were watched by 25 million people, compared to 15 million in the same period in 2017. In all, nine films have been watched more than a million times each.
“The mainstream media is largely filled with stories of gloom, crime and disaster every day. Through our stories, we want to provide relief, hope and inspiration. Stories that are positive, authentic and true, and reflect the South African people’s remarkable, enduring spirit,” said BN founder, Adrian Steirn.
Each story is a beautifully-crafted cameo that gives us a glimpse of people who are defying the odds to change their own lives, and those around them. For example, there’s the story about the Jagersfontein Diamonds in the Rough project, which uses gumboot dancing to help disadvantaged young men express themselves – and in the process, transform their lives.
In June, there was overwhelming support and response to the journey of Nontobeko Mbuyazi, who was born with albinism, but has risen above online bullying to use social media and her modelling career to educate others and celebrate our differences.
Selvin Govender, Marketing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa, says the company didn’t hesitate when it came to extending their partnership with BN. “By sharing our experiences and journeys, we’re able to move beyond a mindset of negativity to grow and develop greater empathy for each other as South Africans.”
Watch:
Beautiful News on Facebook
Beautiful News on WeekendSpecial
WS
