News Bulletin of 8 October 2025, 3pm

Phumla Mqashi will benefit from a new borehole project led by Joburg Water in partnership with Wits University.
The project involves drilling boreholes to supply water directly to informal settlements, reducing dependence on illegal connections that strain the city’s water system.
It aims to improve access to safe, reliable water for the community’s 15,000 residents while helping reservoirs recover and lowering overall water losses.
Water quality checks and local distribution infrastructure, including taps and storage tanks, will ensure the supply is safe and sustainable.
The initiative forms part of a wider programme piloting borehole systems in multiple informal settlements, providing a long-term, equitable solution to water shortages in Johannesburg.

Western Cape municipalities swept top honours at national awards, showcasing strong governance and financial management.
The West Coast District Municipality was named best-run, achieving 14 consecutive clean audits, while Breede Valley marked 10 spotless years and Cape Winelands secured 11 clean audits.
At the Municipal Performance Awards, Swartland and Saldanha Bay shared first place nationally, followed by Swellendam and Hessequa, with the City of Cape Town recognised as the top metro.
The awards highlight the province’s commitment to transparent, effective local government and responsible use of public funds.

Three scientists have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for turning quantum theory into practical technology that powers much of modern life.
Britain’s John Clarke, France’s Michel Devoret and America’s John Martinis were recognised for experiments that showed how quantum effects can work on larger, measurable scales.
Their discoveries laid the foundation for today’s digital devices and opened the door to breakthroughs in quantum computing, cryptography and advanced sensors.
Experts say the trio’s work continues to shape how technology evolves, proving that curiosity-driven science can lead to innovations that change the world.