News Bulletin of 11 September 2025, 6pm

In celebration of Arbor Week, trees were planted at the Roodepoort Sentrum vir Bejaardes, creating a sensory garden for residents, particularly those with Alzheimer’s.
The initiative, which took place on September 3, aims to stimulate the senses, promote well-being, reduce anxiety, and support cognitive function.
Chairperson Maggie Lindeque said the garden encourages residents to connect with nature, fostering a sense of healing and community.
After the planting, residents enjoyed lunch together and strolled through their new garden, experiencing the calming and therapeutic benefits of the greenery.

Learners at Hanyani Secondary School outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo received brand-new bicycles on 4 September, thanks to a partnership between the University of Johannesburg, Absa Business Banking, and Qhubeka Charity.
The initiative targets Grade 11 learners who face long, hazardous walks of up to five kilometres to reach school, helping them arrive on time and conserve energy for learning.
The project forms part of UJ’s Societal Impact programme, which addresses critical infrastructure needs in under-resourced areas, including solar power, learning centres, and educational resources.
Learners expressed excitement, saying the bicycles will make daily commutes easier and allow them to focus on their studies and future goals.
UJ officials and local leaders urged students to use the bicycles responsibly, while Absa highlighted the role of education in community upliftment and youth empowerment.

After nine years of rehabilitation, female orangutan Popi has been released into the Busang Ecosystem in East Borneo.
Rescued as an eight-week-old from a household near a palm oil plantation, Popi was cared for by the Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance, learning vital survival skills like climbing, foraging, and nest building.
On 10 August 2025, she returned to the rainforest, reuniting with two orangutans she had bonded with during rehabilitation.
Conservationists say her release is a triumph for both Popi and efforts to protect Borneo’s orangutan populations.