As South Africans pull together to strengthen our young democracy, there is widespread recognition that children and youth are the fabric of the future. The emotional, economic, educational and social needs of our youngest citizens are of paramount importance if they are to reach their full potential and become productive and stable members of South African society.

Matric pupils at Kwa-Ntebeni Comprehensive High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal celebrated when they were able to write their final exams together in one classroom for the first time. Before that milestone was reached in 2004, the matrics had to write their exams in separate, cramped classrooms.

A surge in naked sleepwalking among guests has led one of Britain’s largest budget hotel groups to re-train staff to handle late-night nudity. Travelodge, which runs more than 300 business hotels in Britain, says sleepwalking rose seven-fold in the past year, and 95% of the somnambulants are scantily clad men.

Gerald Leissner was awarded a special commendation by the investing judges for his contribution to poverty and inequality alleviation in Southern Africa. ”It is the application of the South African government’s BEE policy that singles out his contribution to poverty alleviation,” they said. ”With his company, he used a government policy to harness the power of the market to produce significant social good.”

Lumko Mtimde is not a latter-day "Please sir, I want some more" kind of person. He certainly does want a double helping, but this seasoned media activist isn’t begging for extra funds for the Media Development and Diversity Agency. Instead, his tactics are strategy, charm and persuasion. As MDDA CEO, he ran a round-table session with broadcasters in Johannesburg this week.