News Bulletin of 23 June 2025, 3pm

The University of Pretoria has climbed to 63rd in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, placing it among the world’s top institutions contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
UP ranked seventh globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17, which focuses on building partnerships to achieve the goals — the highest ranking for any African university.
It also secured top spots in goals related to peace, poverty, and economic growth.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Francis Petersen says the results reflect UP’s focus on innovation, social impact, and international collaboration.
It remains the second-highest ranked university in Africa and South Africa, in a year when global competition intensified.
UP’s standout rankings across multiple development goals position it as a leading force for sustainable and inclusive development on the continent.

South African middle-distance runner Tshepo Tshite has set a new national record in the men’s 1,500 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Paris.
Tshite clocked an impressive 3:31.35, surpassing the previous record of 3:31.93 set by Johan Cronje in 2013.
This marks Tshite’s first outdoor national record, adding to his short track achievements.
Athletics South Africa President James Moloi congratulated Tshite, calling the performance a proud moment and a benchmark for future athletes.
All national records remain subject to standard ratification.
The next Diamond League event takes place in Eugene, USA, on 5 July.

Mozambique has taken another big step in restoring its black rhino population, with 10 more critically endangered rhinos translocated to Zinave National Park.
The donation from South Africa’s Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife brings the total to 47 rhinos, forming the first founder population since the species went locally extinct 50 years ago.
The move strengthens Zinave as the country’s only ‘big five’ park and highlights regional cooperation in wildlife conservation.
Officials say the rhinos are thriving and this effort boosts biodiversity and ecotourism while securing the species’ future in Africa.