News

Dithoriso Madiba City Power is continuing the rollout of its Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme across Johannesburg, with recent registration drives held in Regions A, C, and F. The initiative, which runs until 31 July 2025, is aimed at supporting low-income households by offering 50kWh of free electricity each month. This week, the registration drive…

This Mandela Week, Smile Foundation is going back to where it all began. From 14 to 18 July the team is hosting a very special SmileWeek at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), the first hospital Smile Foundation partnered with 25 years ago. Over these five days, 14 children will undergo life-changing surgeries, gaining not just new smiles, but fresh confidence and hope for the future. This special SmileWeek is proudly supported by Vodacom Foundation, Smile Foundation’s very first donor. It’s a milestone that ties in beautifully with the legacy of Nelson Mandela,Smile Foundation’s Chief Patron, who helped spark the organisation’s journey by initiating young Thando Manyathi’s facial reanimation surgery 25 years ago. It was right here at CMJAH that young Thando Manyathi underwent her life-changing facial reanimation surgery, watched over by Nelson Mandela and Marc Lubner,the latter of whom would go on to co-found Smile Foundation. That moment didn’t just change Thando’s life it ignited a movement that has since transformed over5,000 more children’s lives. In a beautiful full-circle story, Thando now works for Mr Lubner, helping carry forward the very mission that gave her a second chance. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Madiba stood with us to launch this dream,” says Marc Lubner, Smile Foundation’s Co-Founder and Executive Director. “Tocelebrate this anniversary during Mandela Week, right here at Charlotte Maxeke, is incredibly special. It’s proof of what’s possible when people come together tomake a difference, and it’s just the beginning of the next chapter.” This Smile Week is made even more meaningful by the presence of Smile Foundation’s dedicated board members, Vodacom Foundation’s team and the surgeonswho have been part of the journey since day one, and a remarkable specialised craniofacial surgery that highlights how far medical care has come through thesepartnerships. None of it would be possible without Vodacom Foundation who continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in changing lives. “Since the start, we have supported the Smile Foundation in its mission to provide life- changing facial surgeries that bring hope and dignity to young lives. Theinitiative is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when purpose meets partnership and why we continue to honour Madiba’s legacy and make a meaningfulcontribution to building a brighter, inclusive future for the next generation,” says Angela Abrahams, Head of Vodacom Foundation. As Smile Foundation marks 25years of life-changing surgeries, the team is also celebrating what’s still to come, more partnerships, more breakthroughs, and countless more children stepping into the world with bright,fearless smiles. INFO SUPPLIED.

The City of Johannesburg wishes to inform customers with multiple properties of the once-off property rates adjustment reflecting on the July 2025 statements.  The recent property rates adjustments reflecting on the municipal accounts for some residential property owners, follows the implementation of Section 6.3.5 of the 2024/25 Property Rates Policy, in alignment with Sections 15 and 17(1)(h)…

Pikitup has added 41 new caged trucks to its fleet to enhance the collection of recyclable waste in areas where its Separation at Source programme is in effect across the City of Johannesburg. This expansion underscores the entity’s ongoing commitment to reducing the volume of waste sent to landfill sites, in line with the Waste…

Elias Nkabinde As the world celebrates World Youth Skills Day on 15 July 2025, the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) are spotlighting a transformative achievement that fuses infrastructure and human development: the graduation of 368 young individuals from the National Certificate: Construction – Roadworks Skills Development Programme. This milestone is a direct outcome of…

The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES heads to Tshwane in August (Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10Kon Sunday, 24 August) and Joburg in September (Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10Kon Wednesday, 24 September), runners have two more opportunities to compete for their share of the 2025 combined prize purse. South Africa’s top elite athletes will…

 Ernst Wittmann Mandela Day (18 July) encourages South Africans to spend 67 minutes of their time giving back to their communities, or one minute for each of the 67 years former President Nelson Mandela dedicated to public service and fighting for human rights. One of the ways that individuals and companies can make a positive…

Johannesburg, 16 July 2025 – This Mandela Week, Smile Foundation is going back to where it all began. From 14 to 18 July the team is hosting a very special Smile Week at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), the first hospital Smile Foundation partnered with 25 years ago. Over these five days, 14 children will undergo life-changing surgeries, gaining not just new smiles, but fresh confidence and hope for the future. This special Smile Week is proudly supported by Vodacom Foundation, Smile Foundation’s very first donor. It’s a milestone that ties in beautifully with the legacy of Nelson Mandela, Smile Foundation’s Chief Patron, who helped spark the organisation’s journey by initiating young Thando Manyathi’s facial reanimation surgery 25 years ago. It was right here at CMJAH that young Thando Manyathi underwent her life-changing facial reanimation surgery, watched over by Nelson Mandela and Marc Lubner, the latter of whom would go on to co-found Smile Foundation. That moment didn’t just change Thando’s life it ignited a movement that has since transformed over 5,000 more children’s lives. In a beautiful full-circle story, Thando now works for Mr Lubner, helping carry forward the very mission that gave her a second chance. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Madiba stood with us to launch this dream,” says Marc Lubner, Smile Foundation’s Co-Founder and Executive Director. “To celebrate this anniversary during Mandela Week, right here at Charlotte Maxeke, is incredibly special. It’s proof of what’s possible when people come together to make a difference, and it’s just the beginning of the next chapter.” This Smile Week is made even more meaningful by the presence of Smile Foundation’s dedicated board members, Vodacom Foundation’s team and the surgeons who have been part of the journey since day one, and a remarkable specialised craniofacial surgery that highlights how far medical care has come through these partnerships. None of it would be possible without Vodacom Foundation who continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in changing lives. “Since the start, we have supported the Smile Foundation in its mission to provide life- changing facial surgeries that bring hope and dignity to young lives. The initiative is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when purpose meets partnership and why we continue to honour Madiba’s legacy and make a meaningful contribution to building a brighter, inclusive future for the next generation,” says Angela Abrahams, Head of Vodacom Foundation. As Smile Foundation marks 25 years of life-changing surgeries, the team is also celebrating what’s still to come, more partnerships, more breakthroughs, and countless more children stepping into the world with bright, fearless smiles. INFO SUPPLIED

Dithoriso Madiba City Power is continuing the rollout of its Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme across Johannesburg, with recent registration drives held in Regions A, C, and F. The initiative, which runs until 31 July 2025, is aimed at supporting low-income households by offering 50kWh of free electricity each month. This week, Shell House on…