News Bulletin of 13 May 2026, 6pm

Headline 1
SA launches One Billion Trees drive
Story 1
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has launched the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme in Pretoria, expanding the country’s tree-planting campaign nationwide.
The initiative aims to fight climate change, improve food security and promote environmental sustainability through large-scale tree planting across communities.
Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts says the programme will focus on drought-resistant and fruit trees, with planting taking place in schools, clinics and rural areas.
The next major milestone will see 10 million trees planted in a single day on Heritage Day across all nine provinces.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Hillcrest Author Builds Community Through Weekly Storytime Sessions
Story 2
A Hillcrest based children’s book author has been helping to promote reading and literacy in KwaZulu Natal through regular storytime sessions at a local library.

Michelle Linde began recording herself reading stories during the COVID 19 lockdown to keep children engaged while schools and libraries were closed.
The initiative later grew into online sessions connecting families and children from different areas, helping to maintain a love for reading during isolation.

She now hosts weekly in person storytime at Kloof Public Library, where families gather to share books, build friendships and encourage early literacy.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Relief fund golf day raises hope for farmers battling foot and mouth disease
Story 3
Farmers Weekly and partners have come together in Randpark Golf Club to host a charity golf day aimed at raising funds and awareness for farmers affected by foot and mouth disease in South Africa.
The event brought together the agricultural community, with teams taking part in friendly competition while also discussing ways to improve disease control and farm biosecurity.
Funds raised from the day will be donated to the Agri Relief Foundation, which supports farmers in urgent need of assistance.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.50 to the US Dollar, 22.21 to the British Pound, and 19.25 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,681.24 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 107.77 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 79,352.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
University of Venda Drives Rural Biogas Energy in Limpopo
Teaser / Tailpiece story
The University of Venda in Thohoyandou is helping rural communities in Limpopo turn cow dung and plant waste into biogas for clean, affordable energy.
The university has been training households and community members to build and manage biogas digesters using locally available materials.
The initiative is aimed at reducing reliance on expensive electricity and fossil fuels while promoting sustainable energy solutions in rural areas.
Experts say the system also helps reduce waste and can improve energy access for cooking and heating in off grid households.
Split analysis
Local: 169 words (65%), National: 93 words (35%), International: 0 words (0%)