News Bulletin of 1 March 2026, 7am

For more than 20 years, Theatre on the Square has offered Sandton audiences a weekly Friday lunchtime escape with live classical music, now a long-standing cultural tradition. Led by director Daphne Kuhn, the 13:00 concerts have become a defining feature of the venue, alongside its evening productions. The series showcases a range of instrumentalists, including musicians from the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and emerging performers.Kuhn says the concerts provide rare, regular performance opportunities for classical musicians and may be unique in South Africa for their longevity.

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.

A talented dancer from Mtu ba tuba, KwaZulu-Natal is set to represent South Africa on the international stage when she tours Europe later this year. Cyden Boshoff leads three branches of Dance Force Company in Mtubatuba, Richards Bay and at Grantleigh .In 2021, Boshoff was selected for Team SA at the South African Championships for Performing Arts. Boshoff will represent Elements of Dance on a European tour to Hungary and Ireland this June, which includes competing at the European Dance Championships in Dublin.