News Bulletin of 16 July 2025, 4pm

The Johannesburg Roads Agency has repaired more than 40 potholes in Ward 115, including on Cedar Avenue West, Elm Street, and Willow Road.
Councillor Mark van der Merwe said many of these potholes had been an issue for months, and the recent repairs are permanent fixes built to last.
Residents are urged to continue reporting new potholes directly to JRA with location details and photos to help speed up repairs.
More than 90 potholes have been fixed in the ward over the last month, with a new round of repairs planned in the coming weeks.
Van der Merwe highlighted that teamwork between residents and JRA is essential to keeping the roads safe and driveable for all.

A vibrant new mural now brightens the Service Dining Rooms in Cape Town’s District 6, celebrating 90 years of serving meals to the community.
Painted by renowned graffiti artist Gogga, the artwork honours the area’s rich street art culture and long-standing partnerships, including with seafood supplier I&J.
The mural features a colourful sea scene, Table Mountain, and a soaring seagull, symbolising resilience and hope.
Founded in 1935, the organisation continues to provide weekday meals at just R2, remaining a lifeline for many.

SmartSpot, developed by Professor Bavesh Kana and his team at Wits University, is changing how tuberculosis testing is done globally.
The innovation uses specially treated samples containing TB DNA but no live bacteria, allowing labs to safely calibrate diagnostic machines without infection risk.
To improve safety and scalability, the team engineered harmless soil bacteria that mimic TB at the genetic level, creating an affordable and reliable testing aid.
SmartSpot has been implemented in over 390 sites across 24 countries, improving access to fast, safe, and accurate TB diagnosis.
This breakthrough highlights South Africa’s cutting-edge local research and commitment to tackling TB through innovation.