News Bulletin of 16 May 2026, 1pm

A 10 year old footballer from Victory Park in Johannesburg is set to represent South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as an official Match Ball Carrier, after winning the Kia Kick Off Kid competition.

Luca Human-Maré impressed judges with videos showcasing his football skills, passion and dedication to the sport.

Part of his prize includes walking onto the pitch with Bafana Bafana and carrying the official match ball onto the field.

Luca says he hopes to one day play for Spanish giants Barcelona, and has named Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal as his football heroes.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on the 11th of June and will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts has officially launched the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme at the South African National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria.

The initiative, which was held under the theme My Tree, My Oxygen. Plant Yours Today,” forms part of the broader Presidential Ten-Million Trees Programme aimed at encouraging environmental action and combating climate change.

Swarts has called on government, businesses and individuals to work together in planting ten-million trees on Heritage Day on the 24th of September.

The Western Cape's Education Department and Funda Wande have launched a new numeracy programme aimed at improving Maths teaching in the Foundation Phase.

The Bala Wande initiative will support teachers with training and learning resources as part of efforts to improve numeracy outcomes in schools across the province.

Teachers will receive structured training, learner materials and maths resource kits designed to improve classroom learning and boost numeracy outcomes in multiple languages.