News Bulletin of 28 August 2025, 4pm

The Faculty of Science at Tshwane University of Technology hosted the Northern Gauteng finals of the 45th Annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists on 26 August 2025.
Learners and TVET students showcased over 200 projects across fields like biology, physics, AI, environmental science, and social sciences.
The Expo, South Africa’s largest science fair, gives young scientists a platform to present original research, solve real-world problems, and advance to national and international competitions.
Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka-Fleischmann highlighted the importance of curiosity, critical thinking, and clear communication, while TUT experts judged projects and shared insights into scientific careers.

Ubuntu Pathways in Zwide has been selected as one of the beneficiaries of this year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge in Gqeberha.
The organisation has supported orphans and vulnerable children for over 25 years through education, healthcare and household programmes, with its Ubuntu School now expanding to include a high school.
With a strong focus on female empowerment and fighting gender-based violence, Ubuntu works closely with women in distress and provides safe spaces for victims.
The R50,000 pledge from SPAR will boost the school’s robotics and coding programme, helping learners gain access to advanced technology and bridge the digital divide.

Nestlé is developing a new way to make chocolate that could support farmers facing climate challenges.
Traditionally, only the cocoa beans inside the pod are used, leaving much of the fruit, including pulp and husk, unused.
Nestlé’s researchers have created a technique that uses all parts of the cocoa fruit.
The entire pod is collected, naturally fermented, and processed into chocolate flakes without affecting the taste.
This approach reduces waste and could give farmers up to 30 percent more usable product.
Louise Barrett, head of Nestlé’s confectionery research in England, says the project is still in pilot stage but shows great potential for wider use.
With cocoa prices rising due to extreme weather in Ivory Coast and Ghana, innovations like this aim to help farmers maximize their harvests while keeping chocolate accessible for everyone.