News Bulletin of 16 March 2026, 1pm

Headline 1
SAFTAs honour South Africa’s screen talent
Story 1
South Africa’s film and television industry gathered in Midrand on Saturday for the 19th annual South African Film and Television Awards, celebrating the country’s top on-screen talent and behind-the-scenes creatives.
The awards recognise excellence across television, film and streaming productions, with winners receiving the iconic Golden Horn trophy.
Popular shows including Skeem Saam and Uzalo were among the productions with strong nominations this year.
While the red carpet drew attention for its fashion and celebrity arrivals, much of the emotion unfolded in the winners’ room, where nominees and filmmakers celebrated career milestones and the continued growth of South Africa’s screen industry.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Runners give children life-changing smiles at Two Oceans Marathon
Story 2
This year, 35 runners are taking on the Two Oceans Marathon to help children in need of cleft surgery.
Every kilometre and every donation supports Operation Smile South Africa, providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries to children who could not otherwise afford them.
Operation Smile ambassador David Grier says the runners’ efforts are about changing lives, giving children the chance to eat, speak, and smile without barriers.
Earlier this year, Grier himself ran 550 kilometres from Die Hel to Cape Town to support the cause.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Rangers protect African penguin chicks at Boulders Beach
Story 3
Rangers from Table Mountain National Park and the City of Cape Town’s penguin unit have rescued 19 African penguin chicks from Boulders Beach, helping them stay safe during the peak breeding season.
Seventeen of the rescued chicks were newly hatched. All have been transferred to SANCCOB for care until their first moult before returning to the colony, protecting them from extreme heat and potential abandonment.
Cape Town has seen record-breaking temperatures this season, reaching 40 degrees Celsius, prompting intensified patrols to safeguard the vulnerable chicks.
The African penguin is critically endangered, and SANParks reminds visitors to keep a safe distance and follow guidelines at the colony.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.86 to the US Dollar, 22.55 to the British Pound, and 19.31 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,974.86 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 103.14 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 73,331.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Florida family feeds hundreds of homeless every week
Teaser / Tailpiece story
Florida waitress Gloria Vargas and her family have served more than 270,000 meals to the homeless since 2012, running their operation largely from their Fort Lauderdale home.
With her husband Antonio Vargas and two sons, Gloria prepares up to 200 meals on weekends, often writing encouraging messages on each meal. During the pandemic, they expanded to serve 600 meals, helping communities in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Thanks to donations and a seed grant from the Byers Foundation, the family established the nonprofit Care in Action USA, which now also helps with rent, utilities, transportation, clothing, and transitional housing for the homeless.
Split analysis
Local: 104 words (35%), National: 189 words (65%), International: 0 words (0%)