News Bulletin of 3 December 2025, 4pm

Johannesburg Water has begun essential repairs on the Hursthill 2 reservoir to fix cracks and restore full capacity.
The work is part of a wider R800 million upgrade to the city’s Commando system, aimed at improving water supply and reducing losses.
Residents may face unpredictable service during the bypass period, with high-lying areas most affected.
Water tankers will be deployed only after outages exceed 24 hours.
The project also includes upgrades to Hursthill 1 and a new pump station to stabilise supply for the future.

South Africa has opened the door for private institutions to be formally recognised as universities or university colleges under a new higher-education policy.
The move aims to expand access as public universities struggle to accommodate growing numbers of eligible students.
Private providers, which now educate over 20 percent of higher-education students, can apply if they offer accredited programmes, support research, and show community impact.
The reform is seen as a way to complement public universities, boost capacity, and better prepare young people for the evolving job market.

A South African cookbook has once again been named the world’s best, winning the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Award for the second time.
Louis Jansen van Vuuren and Isabella Niehaus’ There’s a Vegan on My Verandah first won in 2023 and now claims the title again in 2025.
The award recognises not just recipes but storytelling, design, and cultural significance, celebrating authors who turn food into art.
The book combines flavour, artistry, and a celebration of South African coastal life, inviting readers to connect over meals and stories.