Headline 1
SA student shines in Excel Esports
Story 1
University of Pretoria master’s student Pieter Pienaar has become the first South African to win the individual division of the 2025 Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge in Las Vegas.
The 23-year-old MCom Accounting Sciences student competed against participants from over 1,100 universities worldwide.
Pienaar, who also founded the UP Excel Club to support fellow students, has steadily improved his performance in the challenge since 2022, moving from 12th place to first on his 4th attempt.
He credited his success to careful problem-solving, mentorship, and his focus during competition.
The 23-year-old MCom Accounting Sciences student competed against participants from over 1,100 universities worldwide.
Pienaar, who also founded the UP Excel Club to support fellow students, has steadily improved his performance in the challenge since 2022, moving from 12th place to first on his 4th attempt.
He credited his success to careful problem-solving, mentorship, and his focus during competition.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
There’s a Vegan on My Verandah wins World’s Best Vegan Book at the 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Story 2
South African authors Louis Jansen van Vuuren and Isabella Niehaus have won World’s Best Vegan Book at the 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards with There’s a Vegan on My Verandah, marking the book’s second global win.
The awards, recognise excellence in food and wine publishing worldwide, with winners selected for content, design and cultural contribution.
The pair first won the title in 2023, followed by a 2024 win for their second book, Earthling Food, before reclaiming the top vegan category in 2025.
Van Vuuren told The Good Things Guy that Edouard Cointreau of the World Gourmand Awards praised his work, saying their book brings a refreshingly different perspective that's thoughtful, elegant, and deeply human.
The awards, recognise excellence in food and wine publishing worldwide, with winners selected for content, design and cultural contribution.
The pair first won the title in 2023, followed by a 2024 win for their second book, Earthling Food, before reclaiming the top vegan category in 2025.
Van Vuuren told The Good Things Guy that Edouard Cointreau of the World Gourmand Awards praised his work, saying their book brings a refreshingly different perspective that's thoughtful, elegant, and deeply human.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
City of Cape Town uses technology to support law enforcement
Story 3
The City of Cape Town will once again use technology to support law enforcement around Table Mountain, the city centre, the Bo-Kaap, and key beaches during the festive season.
Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says more than 200 municipal peace officials have been deployed, assisted by the Technology Fusion Centre, safety drones, and CCTV.
Smith says there will also be daily patrols in gang-affected communities:
*sound*
Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says more than 200 municipal peace officials have been deployed, assisted by the Technology Fusion Centre, safety drones, and CCTV.
Smith says there will also be daily patrols in gang-affected communities:
*sound*
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:
The Rand is trading at 16.76 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.
Gold is trading at 4,339.47 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 89,067.00.
The Rand is trading at 16.76 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.
Gold is trading at 4,339.47 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 89,067.00.
Split analysis
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