News Bulletin of 2 December 2025, 6pm

Uncle Baboo and Crew brought a day of celebration and care to senior citizens at Reuven Old Age Home on November 30.
Residents from Reuven, Bellavista, and Annie Burger homes were treated to meals and activities, with organisers emphasising the importance of recognising and valuing the elderly.
The team thanked sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, including Baitul Ilm and ward councillor Rashida Landis, for their support. MC Abdul Manack helped engage the residents and ensure the day ran smoothly.

The National Treasury is releasing R2.2-billion to repay Ithala Bank depositors, with payouts starting on 8 December.
Depositors will get an SMS and need to verify their details at any FNB branch. Payments should clear within two days. Clients don’t need an FNB account and can transfer funds to any bank.
No payouts will be made at Ithala branches, and claims are open until 2028.
More than 200,000 customers have been locked out since January after the Prudential Authority moved to liquidate Ithala, citing technical insolvency.
KZN’s Finance MEC says teams will assist elderly and rural clients and hopes litigation will end so the bank can rebuild and pursue a licence.

A public-private partnership with logistics firm RetuRO has helped the country reach a 94% collection rate for plastic, glass, and metal containers in just two years.
Customers pay a small deposit on each item, refunded when containers are returned, while retailers receive tax credits for installing return infrastructure.
Between November 2023 and September 2025, Romanians returned around seven-and-a-half billion containers, including 4 billion PET bottles.
Surveys show 90% of citizens have used the system at least once, contributing to a circular economy where properly recycled PET bottles can generate dozens of new containers over their lifespan.