News Bulletin of 2 November 2026, 6pm

Three learners from Mahlasedi High School in Gauteng have won the 2026 AECI Future Leaders Challenge with a project that provides school shoes to children in need.
Denzel Tshabalala, Tumelo Dube and Sandile Phakati, competing as Team Gen Drive, were selected as winners from more than 500 entries, with ten teams reaching the national final.
The competition challenges learners to develop practical solutions to problems in their communities. Two other schools from Gauteng and Limpopo were named runners-up for projects supporting learners and improving water monitoring.

The Northern Cape town of Kuruman has unveiled a new R8 million reptile park, creating a tourism and educational attraction for the region.
The Kuruman Reptile Galaxy was established by the John Taolo Gaetsewe Trust, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about snakes and other reptiles.
JTG Trust CEO Tumelo Mpoloebeng says local snake catcher Bokamoso, known as Buru, Ntehelang, was the inspiration behind the development. *

Three Grade 9 learners from Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town are working with non-profit Uthando South Africa to build a five-a-side soccer pitch for Welcome Primary School in Athlone.
Frank van der Walt, Joseph Allardice and Matthew Fox are leading the project through their school's Big Ideas programme, which encourages learners to find practical ways to address social challenges.
The pitch will be built using recycled materials, including around 200 discarded tyres filled with building rubble, keeping waste out of landfill while creating a new space for children to play sport.
The project forms part of Uthando's Soccer Pitch for Peace initiative, which uses sport to give young people safe recreational spaces.