News Bulletin of 5 November 2026, 10am

AECI’s Future Leaders Challenge has recognised learners for developing practical solutions to challenges in their schools and communities.
Learners were tasked with identifying problems and creating projects, with ideas ranging from food gardens and water conservation to reading support and improving school facilities.
Gen Drive from Mahlasedi High School in Midrand took first place, followed by Local Hearts from Siyabonga Secondary School in Braamfischerville, while Water for All Thabazimbi from Limpopo came third.
The competition, run in partnership with Primestars, attracted more than 500 entries, with ten teams reaching the finals.

Johannesburg-based Hubo Studio has won two international awards for its design of the Redhill Early Learning Centre in Sandton.
The firm received the Jury Winner award in the Best Kindergarten category and the Popular Choice award for Educational Interiors at the 2026 Architizer A+Awards.
The centre accommodates up to 370 children and was designed as a mini-city, with interconnected learning spaces, creative studios and indoor and outdoor areas that allow children to explore, play and interact.
Its design is based on the Reggio Emilia approach, which encourages children to learn through creativity, discovery and hands-on experiences.

Johannesburg residents are working together to keep Zoo Lake in Parkview clean and well-maintained.
The volunteers meet regularly to clear litter, plant flowers, maintain gardens and repair parts of the park.
The Zoo Lake Users Committee has been coordinating the work since 2017, with an estimated six million rand in private funding and community contributions invested in restoring the public space.
Their efforts have also helped improve the lake's banks, walkways, benches and basketball courts.
Committee representative Fran Haslam says the volunteer effort is about more than keeping the park clean, but also ensuring Zoo Lake remains a welcoming space for the wider community:
*sound*