An SMS a day to keep the blues away

Proud South Africans fed-up with the negativity of their compatriots now have another weapon in their pro-SA arsenal.

Proud South Africans fed-up with the negativity of their compatriots now have another weapon in their pro-SA arsenal.

A new service allows cellphone users to receive positive news about South Africa via SMS. “Optimists who are often challenged to provide examples of what’s good about South Africa, can now convert the pessimists using SMS technology,”” said Ivan Booth, creator of the positive news service.

The service can be accessed in two ways. The first is via Vodacom’s InfoText service. Vodacom customers need simply send an SMS with the keyword “”Positive”” to the number “”4000″”. A text message of 160 characters containing uplifting news about South Africa will be transmitted back to the sender. The charge is 75 cents.

The second way of accessing the positive news service requires cellular users to register on www.alerts.co.za. After completing the two minute registration process, one positive news SMS will be sent to Vodacom contract customers every day at a charge of 75 cents per message.

“”Countless high profile South Africans have spoken of the need for South Africans to be more positive in their outlook. It’s not about glossing over South Africa’s challenges. It’s about recognising that pessimism is a poison and a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“”In many respects, we are the most fortunate nation in the world. Sadly, we are also the least grateful and the one nation most ignorant of its achievements,”” concluded Booth.

The positive news service is updated once a day at 09h00.

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