News Bulletin of 31 May 2026, 8am

Hospitalised children in Gauteng will now be able to continue learning more comfortably, thanks to a portable desk-and-chair system being rolled out across eight public hospital schools. The initiative, supported by Steve Biko Academic Hospital and provincial education partners, provides trolley-style school bags that convert into desks, chairs and include solar lighting for learners receiving long-term medical care. The idea was developed by South African innovator Talita Boodhram, whose prototype has grown into a global social innovation aimed at improving education access in under-resourced environments.

Young conservation enthusiasts from primary schools in Soweto took part in a live barn owl release ceremony at Woodlands Office Park in Sandton. Hosted by OwlProject.org, the event formed part of the Owl Conservation Club programme. This teaches learners about biodiversity, owl conservation and environmental responsibility through hands-on experiences. Learners witnessed three-week-old barn owls fitted with identification rings. The young owls will remain at Woodlands Office Park for 21 days before being released back into the wild.
The programme is inspiring young people to connect with nature, learn about wildlife conservation and become environmental ambassadors in their communities, helping to create a brighter future for both people and wildlife.

Spotify says South African artists generated more than R500 million in royalties in 2025, as the global streaming platform expands its footprint with a new office in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The company says nearly three quarters of those earnings came from international listeners, with South African music being discovered by first-time audiences more than 1.6 billion times last year.Spotify says the new office will strengthen its relationships with local artists and the music industry, while supporting the growth of African music globally. The move has also reignited debate over streaming payouts to musicians.