News Bulletin of 22 September 2025, 6pm

MTN Group, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and The African Editors Forum, has launched the Pan-African Media Innovation Programme.
The initiative will equip journalists across Africa with skills in digital storytelling, media entrepreneurship, technology, and policy reporting.
The 12-week programme combines online modules with in-person experiences in Johannesburg, followed by a two-week placement with an MTN partner company.
Participants will explore digital transformation, media ethics, sustainability, and emerging technologies through masterclasses, newsroom visits, and innovation projects.
Officials say the programme will strengthen African media, foster trustworthy journalism, and support resilient information ecosystems.
The first cohort of 70 to 73 fellows is set to begin in 2026.

Ministers Siviwe Gwarube and Solly Malatsi have handed over smart learning tablets to learners at the Forest Village Leadership Academy in Cape Town.
The initiative is part of government efforts to bridge South Africa’s digital divide and expand access to technology in education.
The tablets, donated by Primedia, will support learners in developing reading, mathematics, coding, and robotics skills.
The handover reflects the power of partnerships between government and the private sector to enhance digital literacy.
Officials say the initiative is a key step in ensuring all learners have access to devices and opportunities in the 21st century

A barber in Shropshire, England, may have saved a teenager’s life by noticing a lump on his neck during a routine haircut.
Seventeen-year-old Owen Norgrove was advised by Firat Davutoglu to get it checked, leading to a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare cancer of the lymphatic system.
Owen began chemotherapy immediately and is now in remission, with doctors hoping to give him the all-clear next June.
He was recently reunited with Firat, who says he is just grateful that Owen is healthy and recovering.
The quick action of the barber highlights the importance of awareness and paying attention to small but potentially life-saving signs.