News Bulletin of 9 March 2026, 8am

Harvest of Hope recently toured several community vegetable gardens across Johannesburg showcasing small-scale food production in schools, homes, and public spaces. Gardens at Guild Cottage, Killarney Park, Jan Cilliers Primary School, and Abraham Kriel are helping provide fresh vegetables to their communities. In Parkwood, Ara Molapa, a nursery school assistant at Jan Cilliers Primary School, has transformed a once-unused corner of the school grounds into a flourishing garden. The produce is shared among staff members, providing fresh food and promoting sustainability.

More than 185 bird species have been recorded at Melville Koppies, and visitors will soon have a new way to discover them. A new bird-watching guide to the area will be launched on March 15, helping nature lovers spot some of the many birds that call this green space home.The guide was developed by Ashlyn Campbell, a Greenside Design student who first visited the Koppies with her class in 2025. It offers practical tips on which paths to follow to find particular bird species.Visitors who can’t attend the launch can still explore the reserve any Sunday between 08:00 and 11:30.

For the first time, the Department of Home Affairs has officially recognised Khoi-San traditional names on Smart IDs, birth certificates and passports, following critical upgrades to its IT systems. Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber handed over the first Smart ID reflecting a Khoi-San first name, produced in partnership with the Government Printing Works.