News Bulletin of 19 September 2026, 9am

McDonald’s South Africa and the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority, have announced the recruitment of more than 2000 young people, through a new Hospitality Learnership Programme.

The initiative aims to provide practical skills and workplace experience amid South Africa's high youth unemployment.

The 12-month accredited training program combines formal classroom theory with practical, on-the-job training in restaurants.

The Santa Shoebox Project has opened its 2026 pledging season, with more than 84, 000 children's names available for individual public pledging, which opened on the 1st of September
The organization says it aims to deliver festive-season Shoeboxes to more than 80,000 children as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The Cape Town-based project said the milestone year would be marked by the collective goal of bringing joy to thousands of children across South Africa.
Donors are provided with details including the child’s name, age, gender and clothing size, allowing them to put together a personalised Shoebox.

The University of Pretoria's Degrees Delivered campaign has raised more than R11 million towards its R50 million goal, helping 81 graduates to access their qualifications.
More than R125 000 was raised through Comrades, and R220 000 was raised at an alumni fundraising event.

The initiative seeks to settle outstanding debt for graduates who have successfully completed all academic requirements but are unable to collect their certificates due to unpaid fees.

The campaign forms part of the university's Thrive UP 2038 strategy, which seeks to expand access to opportunities while creating lasting social impact.

The Degrees Delivered initiative will run until 2028.