News Bulletin of 8 October 2025, 4pm

Communities across Gauteng are using owls to tackle rodent problems in a natural and sustainable way.
Johannesburg-based Eco Solutions has been leading this initiative for over 20 years, earning the 2025 Owl Award for its conservation efforts.
The company has installed more than 160 owl nesting boxes in Gauteng alone, with hundreds more across South Africa.
By working with nature, these neighbourhoods are reducing the need for poisons and showing how wildlife can help maintain cleaner, safer communities.

South Africa’s mining industry has remained steady despite a tough year marked by infrastructure challenges, policy uncertainty, and rising costs.
The sector maintained its six percent contribution to GDP, reaffirming its vital role in the economy.
PwC’s latest SA Mine 2025 Report notes a 20% rise in market capitalisation, driven by record gold prices and renewed strength in platinum group metals.
“Green metals” like copper, lithium, and nickel also gained momentum as demand for clean energy technologies grew.
While renewable projects face delays, improved cash flow and operational efficiency show a sector adapting to change, with PwC saying continued evolution is key to long-term, sustainable growth.

Denmark plans to ban children under 15 from using social media as part of new efforts to safeguard young people’s mental health.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told parliament that phones and social media are taking away children’s childhood, with many preferring screens over social life.
The proposal would allow parents to grant access from age 13, though details on how the ban will be enforced are still unclear.
Denmark joins countries like Australia and Greece in taking steps to limit online exposure among young people, aiming to create a healthier digital environment for the next generation.