News Bulletin of 24 September 2026, 10am

The Deputy minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, will lead a nationwide campaign to plant ten million trees today, in celebration of Heritage Day.
The drive forms part of the Presidetial One Billion Trees Programme, which aims to mobilise South African citizens, including government, business and the private sector, to mitigate climate change.

Swarts will lead the main event at Freedom Park in Pretoria, with additional programs scheduled to take place in Soweto.
Trees will be planted in safe spaces across all nine provinces, including schools, hospitals, colleges, police stations, churches, parks and residential areas.

The eThekwini Municipality has welcomed Ethiopian Airlines’ decision to launch a daily non-stop air service connecting Durban directly to Ethiopia from the 11th of December.

The new route will connect Durban directly with Ethiopian Airlines’ main hub in Ethiopia, opening access to more than 130 destinations across Africa.
The route will make travel between KwaZulu-Natal and East Africa more convenient by removing the need for an additional connection through Johannesburg or Cape Town.
The municipality’s spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, says this reinforces the province’s position as a key gateway into Africa.

The City of Johannesburg has been named a Highly Commended Finalist in the Living Green for Health and Wellbeing category, at the International Association of Horticultural Producers World Green City Awards.

The city’s Greening the City initiative, which is led by the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, is among three international finalists.
Managing Director Thanduxolo Mendrew says the programme addresses historic inequalities in access to green spaces, while highlighting the need to protect the ageing tree canopy and build healthier, climate-resilient communities.