News Bulletin of 2 December 2025, 4pm

South African hairstylist André Green set a new Guinness World Record for the most underwater haircuts in an hour, completing 31 cuts at Abraham Kriel Bambanani Children’s Home.
The event combined daring, skill, and fun, keeping children and onlookers entertained with playful pool activities.
A team of divers ensured the attempt ran safely, and the community came together to celebrate the achievement.
Donations continue to support the home’s 800 children, helping to brighten their festive season.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has launched a new R496 million outcomes-based fund to improve early childhood development in South Africa.
Speaking in Midrand, she warned that failing to invest in the earliest years would lead to costly remedial work and lost potential.
The three-year fund, supported by domestic and international donors, aims to give over 115,000 children access to quality early learning and support 2,000 early learning centres.
The programme will provide funding based on measurable improvements in children’s learning and development, ensuring that money is directed where it has real impact.
Gwarube said early investment in children’s learning and development yields the highest returns and is essential for a strong education system.

The global Catholic charity Caritas has transformed Pope Francis’ former popemobile into a mobile children’s clinic capable of treating 200 children a day in Gaza.
The vehicle, originally a Mitsubishi pickup truck gifted to the Pope during his visit to Bethlehem, was converted under the Swedish Caritas chapter with the late Pope’s approval.
The clinic is intended to provide urgent healthcare to children in a region affected by conflict and humanitarian challenges.
Church officials have noted that the project demonstrates ongoing international concern for Gaza’s children, but its deployment will depend on Israeli approval, which has not yet been confirmed.