News Bulletin of 13 February 2026, 1pm

The Goethe Institut Johannesburg is hosting International Mother Language Day on Saturday, 21 Februaryat 119 Jan Smuts Avenue in Parkwood,.
The event celebrates linguistic diversity and cultural heritage with storytelling, language courses, workshops, panel discussions, STEM sessions, film screenings, and live music.
Johannesburg-based flautist and composer Vuyo Viwe Tshwele will perform, alongside DJs and interactive cultural stands. Visitors will have the chance to discover new languages, engage in cultural activities, and experience the richness of South Africa’s multilingual heritage firsthand.
Tickets are free and available of Quicket.

Just one month after launching, The Helpers has already brought together 256 organisations across South Africa, connecting communities to local acts of kindness.
The free platform links registered NPOs, grassroots groups, and informal initiatives with volunteers and donors. Users can search by location or cause to find ways to help, donate, or get involved.
In its first month, connections have already been made with children’s homes, feeding schemes, animal welfare groups, youth programmes, and environmental projects.

For the first time in South Africa, a World Read Aloud Day story has been created in South African Sign Language (SASL). The story, A New Friend, was developed by Sign Language Education and Development (SLED) to ensure children who communicate via SASL can fully participate in literacy activities.
The initiative, aligned with the Education Department, Nal’ibali Trust, and NECT, forms part of national World Read Aloud Month celebrations, which include events at schools and creches across the country, promoting reading, storytelling, and language development.
Celebrated storyteller Gcina Mhlophe praised the campaign for exposing children to diverse reading experiences and fostering literacy for all.