News Bulletin of 16 May 2026, 12pm

Winnie Mabaso Foundation boosts paediatric cancer care
The Winnie Mabaso Foundation recently donated five cardiac monitors and trolleys to the Johannesburg pediatric oncology ward.

The charity organization Rainbows and Smiles
welcomed the contribution, stating that the equipment provides a vital layer of reassurance in critical moments, strengthening the ward's emergency response and improving the overall standard of care.

Rainbows and Smiles noted that the machines are more than just equipment—they are vital support for the medical teams that are caring for children battling cancer.
Sandton and Gauteng
Home Affairs expands Smart ID services
The Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber says more than 100-thousand Smart ID cards have been processed within two months, since the launch of the Department of Home Affairs’ expanded partnership with commercial banks.

The Minister says the initiative aims to reduce long queues and improve service delivery by making Smart ID applications available at 110 bank branches across the country.

The department aims to expand the service to more branches nationwide, making Smart ID applications quicker, more convenient and fully paperless.

Schreiber is urging all South Africans to visit their banks for Smart ID applications.
South Africa
Western Cape launches foundation phase numeracy programme
The Western Cape Education Department and Funda Wande have launched a new numeracy programme aimed at improving Maths teaching in the Foundation Phase.

The Bala Wande initiative will support teachers with training and learning resources as part of efforts to improve numeracy outcomes in schools across the province.

Teachers will receive structured training, learner materials and maths resource kits designed to improve classroom learning and boost numeracy outcomes in multiple languages.
South Africa
Financial Indicators
Royal mission promotes global conversations on early childhood development
The Princess of Wales Catherine Middleton arrived in northern Italy on Thursday for a landmark two-day trip with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, focused on her growing global mission around early childhood development.

The visit signals a new chapter in Princess Kate’s long-running early childhood work which aims to spark a wider global conversation around supporting young children, caregivers and communities.

Her first stop was in northern Italt's City Hall, where she was introduced to the city’s culture, history and globally influential educational philosophy, which has pioneered progressive approaches to early childhood development.

The visit builds on the work of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which has focused on the lifelong impact of relationships and environments in children’s development.
Local: 78 words (32%), National: 165 words (68%), International: 0 words (0%)