News Bulletin of 5 December 2025, 2pm

The University of Pretoria’s Student Services Call Centre team has won the Best Citizen Experience Initiative at the Customer Experience Africa Awards in Sandton
. The team was recognised for voluntary sanitary and clothing drives supporting students, children in care facilities, and elderly community members.
Since 2021, more than 600 packs of sanitary towels and numerous clothing items have been donated, funded through team contributions. Led by operations manager Nokulunga Zulu, the initiative shows how the SSC goes beyond daily duties to provide meaningful support. Collections will resume next year at UP’s Hatfield Campus.

The Community Fathers movement is helping fill the gap left by absent dads, offering mentorship, guidance, and hope to children at risk of drugs, gangs, and social neglect.
Founded by child and family practitioner Darian Smith, the initiative brings fathers and children together through activities like sunrise gatherings, campfire events, skills workshops, and family bonding exercises.
The programme has already reached over 500 children, helping some matriculants access university opportunities, while fostering resilience and community values.
Smith emphasizes that positive male role models can transform lives, and he urges all men to step up and support the next generation.

A GoFundMe campaign in the United States has raised more than R25 million to support 88 year old Army veteran Ed Bambas.
The fundraiser was launched by an Australian content creator who found the elderly veteran still working full time at a grocery store.
Donations surged within days as thousands of people contributed to help cover his living expenses and medical needs.
Organisers are setting up a secure trust for the funds and say a special event is being planned to inform Bambas that he will now be able to retire after decades of hard work.