News Bulletin of 22 December 2025, 8am

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.

Midrand-based non-profit Acts of Love has marked its 16th anniversary this year by expanding food and household support to vulnerable community members.
Over the years, the organisation served 8 700 meals, distributed 2 000 winter packs, and provided more than 2 000 grocery vouchers and food hampers to households facing food insecurity.
Acts of Love also supplied 2 000 sanitary pads to high school girls to support school attendance and delivered 3 000 hygiene packs across local communities.
Building on these programmes, the organisation plans to expand feeding initiatives, introduce skills-development projects, and strengthen partnerships with churches, schools and businesses in 2026.

Santa Cause for Paws has raised more than R1 million in sponsorships in 2025 to support 216 animal welfare organisations across South Africa.
The registered NPC collects funds through Facebook sponsorships and website pledges, allowing welfare organisations to apply annually with verified needs and item lists.
Each selected organisation receives a dedicated Facebook album, where supporters sponsor individual animals at R250 per sponsorship.
The funds are pooled, and volunteers purchase food, treats, toys and essential supplies requested by each organisation before distribution at the end of the year.