News Bulletin of 16 May 2026, 9am

South Africa launches presidential one billion trees programme
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.
Sandton and Gauteng
SA's Tourism sector shows strong recovery
South Africa’s tourism industry is showing strong signs of growth and recovery.
ANEW Hotels and Resorts says the sector has recovered to over 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

Speaking during the Africa Travel Indaba in Durban earlier this week, spokesperson Alan Campbell highlighted the importance of ensuring tourism growth benefits more communities and provinces across the country.

Campbell says expanding tourism beyond major destinations could help unlock greater economic opportunities, support local businesses and create more jobs in the Southern African region.
South Africa
Farmers Weekly hosts fundraising event for farming communities
The agricultural magazine Farmers Weekly together with FarmTalk and other industry partners hosted a charity golf day at Randpark Golf Club, to raise funds and awareness for farmers affected by the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

Organisers and farmers say the event was about more than golf, highlighting the importance of unity in protecting farms, livestock and the agricultural sector.
South Africa
Financial Indicators
Royal mission promotes global conversations on early childhood development
The Princess of Wales Catherine Middleton arrived in northern Italy on Thursday for a landmark two-day trip with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, focused on her growing global mission around early childhood development.

The visit signals a new chapter in Princess Kate’s long-running early childhood work which aims to spark a wider global conversation around supporting young children, caregivers and communities.

Her first stop was in northern Italy's City Hall, where she was introduced to the city’s culture, history and globally influential educational philosophy, which has pioneered progressive approaches to early childhood development.

The visit builds on the work of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which has focused on the lifelong impact of relationships and environments in children’s development.
Local: 85 words (38%), National: 141 words (62%), International: 0 words (0%)