News Bulletin of 26 August 2025, 6pm

The Queen Elizabeth Bridge, linking Braamfontein to Johannesburg’s inner city, is undergoing a major clean-up and revitalisation.
Led by Jozi My Jozi in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng province, business owners, and community organisations, the project is scrubbing and repainting the bridge, improving lighting, and enhancing security.
The adjacent park is also being upgraded with repaired pavements, new flowerbeds, and green spaces.
Social challenges remain, but the initiative is working with local homeless projects to address these issues while engaging community members as custodians of the area.
Part of Jozi My Jozi’s Gateways programme, the project aims to restore major entry points into the city, making them safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

Flash Gala apples are enjoying a record harvest in South Africa, with 1,478,454 cartons packed this season, a 41 percent increase on last year and the largest crop since the variety’s launch. Each carton weighs around 18 kilograms, making this a substantial boost for the Western Cape’s orchards.
The trademarked variety, developed by the BigBucks Gala Growers Association, has spread quickly across more than 1,000 hectares, with growers praising its vibrant colour and improved shelf life.
Demand is growing both locally and internationally, with shipments reaching Asia, the Middle East and Africa, including markets in India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.
Industry experts say the variety is attractive for growers due to reliable returns, strong market demand and ease of cultivation.
The record crop signals a bright future for South Africa’s apple industry and its contribution to the country’s horticultural exports.

Doctors in Guangzhou, China, have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a 39-year-old man who had been declared brain-dead, marking a world first.
The lung functioned for nine days, showing that pig-to-human lung transplants are possible. Careful measures were taken to reduce the risk of infection and organ rejection.
The procedure was thoughtfully concluded with the support of the patient’s family. Researchers say the experiment demonstrates the potential of xenotransplantation to help address the global shortage of donor organs.
While further research is needed before such transplants can be offered to living patients, experts say the breakthrough provides hope for the future of organ transplantation worldwide.