News Bulletin of 1 February 2026, 12pm

Makubenjalo Restaurant celebrated top-performing matriculants by awarding R30,000 in cash vouchers to Bo pasen atla and Immaculate Secondary Schools last week. Two learners from each school received 10,000 and 5,000 rand based on their final exam results. Owner Katlego Bogatsu said the initiative aims to motivate students to work hard and support them as they prepare for tertiary studies. Both schools are among Soweto’s best, with Bo pasen atla achieving a 100% pass rate and Immaculate 95%.

South Africa’s Project Zoological Open Architecture has won the Startup Innovation Award for the Top AI Sustainability Project at Davos Innovation Week. Held during the World Economic Forum, the initiative collects verified wildlife and ecosystem data and turns it into AI-readable information for better land use and development decisions. Project ZOA was founded in the Garden Route and presented in Davos by founder Douglas Eriksen.By giving AI access to accurate ecological data, the project helps protect sensitive ecosystems and puts South African conservation efforts on the world stage.

The Angel Paradise Daycare Centre in Kliptown protects young children and prepares them for school through structured early childhood education. After finding children that were left unsupervised and at risk in Eldorado Park, founder Lucrucia Hollander established the centre, which now operates as a registered ECD programme. With support from the IMBE Accelerator Programme, the centre improved classroom safety, financial systems, and learning spaces, including installing a jungle gym.The centre also provides aftercare and supports families who cannot afford fees.