News Bulletin of 11 October 2026, 11am

South African swimming star Pieter Coetze, 22, has broken the men’s 50m backstroke world record in a short-course pool. The swimmer clocked an incredible 22.09 seconds in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on October 9. He went on to win all three backstroke events at the competition. After missing the Olympic qualifying time five times, Coetze kept pushing, qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics at just 16 with the support of his family and coach Rocco Meiring at TuksSwimming.
Coetze’s journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks don’t have to stop a dream. From a schoolboy who refused to give up to a world-record holder, his achievement celebrates determination, family support and South African sporting excellence.

Variations on a Theme, filmed in the Northern Cape, has been selected as South Africa’s entry for the 2027 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.The film stars 80-year-old Hettie Farmer, who made her acting debut in the leading role. It has already earned recognition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Joburg Film Festival and other international festivals.The film must still make the Academy’s shortlist before it can become an official Oscar nominee.

Johannesburg Zoo is celebrating Senior Citizen Month by offering free entry throughout October to visitors aged 60 and older.Seniors can enjoy a relaxing day exploring the zoo, discovering wildlife and making special memories with family and friends. Visitors simply need to bring their ID for age verification to claim free entry.
This thoughtful initiative gives older residents an opportunity to enjoy nature, spend quality time with loved ones and experience a fun day out without worrying about entrance fees. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate seniors, encourage social connection and make the city’s attractions more accessible to everyone.