News Bulletin of 21 December 2025, 7am

The Hyde Park Precinct has officially launched, bringing coordinated cleaning, security and beautification to Jan Smuts Avenue. Rolled out in November 2025, the initiative has teams on the ground addressing daily challenges affecting the busy corridor. Dedicated cleaning and security services are now in place to improve safety and create a more welcoming environment for residents, businesses and commuters. Cleaning teams work from Monday to Friday, removing litter, weeds and illegal posters across the precinct. In partnership with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, the project has also helped maintain and beautify the median island along Jan Smuts Avenue with seasonal flowers, ensuring the area remains neat and visually appealing.

Singer Thandiswa Mazwai has given fans another reason to celebrate after walking away with four South African Music Awards for her 2024 album, Sankofa. The wins underline her place as one of Africa’s most respected and influential artists. At the ceremony, Sankofa picked up Best Female Artist of the Year, Best Produced Album, Best African Adult Contemporary Album and Best Engineer. The album has been widely praised for blending heritage, memory and modern African sounds. Since its release, Sankofa has struck a chord with listeners and critics alike, standing out as one of the year’s most talked-about and impactful music projects.

South Africa will host 14 weeks of International Tennis Federation world tour events in 2026. This comprises of seven women’s and seven men’s tournaments across the country.
The WIPHOLD International Series will return to Pretoria for a fourth consecutive year,
while Mpumalanga will host the inaugural Mbombela Open Global Series. Six weeks of tournaments will be held in Hillcrest, Durban.TSA says the expanded calendar provides South African players with the opportunity to compete on home soil, earn valuable ranking points, and gain vital international experience.