PIC turmoil: President Ramaphosa moved to calm markets after questions over the Public Investment Corporation’s governance, saying it’s not in “crisis” despite leadership shake-ups and scrutiny of how public assets are managed. Waste & health risk: Alexandra residents say Pikitup’s waste backlog is turning streets into dumping grounds, with stench, maggots and rodents raising serious health fears while protests at the Marlboro depot delay collections. Hospital delays & hygiene: Former patients at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mpumalanga allege long surgery waits and hygiene failures, including claims of unclean bedding and sanitation problems. HPV push: Gauteng Health urged parents to return consent forms for the Aug 3–Oct 9 HPV vaccination campaign after more than 24,000 forms weren’t returned previously, threatening uptake in schools. TB vaccine hope: South Africa’s Department of Health says preparations are underway for a potential new TB vaccine (M72/AS01E) now in phase 3 trials, aiming to cut the epidemic by 2030. GBVF coordination: Ramaphosa appointed the first statutory National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide to lead and coordinate the national response until 2029. HIV update: New global AIDS conference reporting flags 1.2 million new HIV infections in 2025 and warns funding drops could stall progress. Local safety net: SASSA marks 20 years of social assistance administration, highlighting how grant delivery has evolved since early fragmentation.