News Bulletin of 1 February 2026, 10am

Hunger and poverty remain pressing challenges in South Africa, but everyday heroes are making a difference. Last week, Sharon Rambujan, Director of the People of South Africa Foundation, and her partner Naeem served warm, nutritious meals to 200 people across Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Sharon and Naeem understand the heavy burden felt by families who live without the peace of mind of knowing where their next meal will come from.Every weekend, they dedicate their time to cooking and delivering meals, bringing hope and comfort to children, the elderly, and vulnerable communities.

The Karoo Donkey Sanctuary in the Western Cape has been saved due to the kindness of donors. Three private investors, together with funding from founder Jonno Sherwin, have stepped in to save the Sanctuary, securing a new 520-hectare farm near De Rust and ensuring a permanent home for more than 400 rescued animals. The sanctuary, one of the largest ehquine rescue centres in Africa, had faced possible closure after being evicted from its previous property. The newly purchased farm, De Hoop, marks the first that the sanctuary has owned its land, providing long-term stability.The rescue centre cares for donkeys, horses and other animals that are often neglected or overworked, and continues to rehabilitate and rehome animals where possible.

The Mall of the South launched its second annual initiative, a sculpture competition celebrating local creativity while promoting environmental awareness. 10 eco-inspired sculptures by local artists were exhibited in the main court, demonstrating how waste materials can be transformed into meaningful art. The initiative reflects the mall’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and provides artists with a platform to reach a wider audience. Shoppers were invited to support the artists by visiting the exhibition and voting for their favourite sculpture via QR. The winners received a grand prize of R20 000 each, and the winning pieces are now permanently featured at Mall of the South’s Entrance 5.