News Bulletin of 3 February 2026, 2pm

The government, in partnership with Microsoft South Africa and other stakeholders, has opened a new Microsoft Digital Laboratory at Phefeni Secondary School in Soweto, aiming to help bridge the digital divide in public education.
The handover was attended by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, and the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, alongside Microsoft leadership and school representatives.
Officials say the lab will give learners access to digital tools and training that can build skills needed in a technology-driven economy, helping them connect with learning resources and prepare for future opportunities.

South Africans can now nominate underserved primary schools and education-focused organisations to receive mobile libraries through AVBOB’s Road to Literacy campaign.
In partnership with Oxford University Press Southern Africa, the initiative will donate two thousand trolley libraries this year, each stocked with 500 CAPS-aligned books, placing one million books into classrooms nationwide.
The campaign supports early-grade reading in all eleven official written languages and marks its fifth year.
AVBOB says nominations are open until the end of March through its Road to Literacy website

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.