News Bulletin of 3 February 2026, 1pm

Mall of the South is spotlighting sustainability through a creative art initiative that transforms waste into sculpture.
Ten works by local artists were displayed at the centre’s main court, each made from recycled materials to promote environmental awareness and responsible waste use.
Shoppers voted for their favourite pieces using QR codes, with the top two sculptures each earning twenty thousand rand.
The winning artworks are now permanently installed at the mall.
Management says the project supports emerging artists while encouraging the community to rethink sustainability through creativity.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has handed over new sports facilities and table tennis equipment to Credence and Heide Primary Schools in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, as part of efforts to develop learners’ skills and support youth sport.
The equipment was donated by the People’s Republic of China, in partnership with MultiChoice and the South African Table Tennis Federation.
Officials say the facilities provide learners with opportunities to practice sport, develop their talents, and engage in structured activities that support their growth.

The Department of Home Affairs has issued more than four million smart ID cards in 2025, the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
Figures from the department show just over four million cards were delivered, a 17 percent increase from 2024 and nearly 1.3 million more than in 2023.
Home Affairs says upgrades to its digital systems and improvements at the Government Printing Works helped speed up processing and reduce downtime.
Minister Leon Schreiber says the rollout is expanding access to services, allowing more people to open bank accounts, apply for jobs and access social grants, while replacing the more fraud-prone green ID book with safer smart cards.