News Bulletin of 17 February 2026, 6pm

Knight Prep Learners Spread Love to Local Animals

This Valentine’s, Grade 7 learners from Knight Preparatory School showed their love for animals. The school’s leadership group, the Knights of Kindness, collected dog and cat food from their families to donate to Place a Pup, a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Roodepoort.
Teacher Kirsten Groves says the learners will visit the centre this week to see the facilities, play with the puppies, and hand over the donations.
Place a Pup rescues and rehomes abandoned and neglected puppies, operating entirely on public support.
Sandton and Gauteng
R2 Billion Malt Facility for Midvaal

Soufflet Malt has broken ground on a R2 billion malting facility in Midvaal, Gauteng, alongside HEINEKEN Beverages’ Sedibeng Brewery. The plant will produce about 100,000 tonnes of malt a year and will source all its barley locally once fully operational.
Construction continues through 2026, with commissioning planned for mid-2027. The project is expected to create 55 permanent jobs, support hundreds of farmers, and generate up to 300 indirect roles in agriculture and logistics.
CEO Jorge Solis says the investment strengthens South Africa’s brewing value chain and supports a sustainable, locally integrated supply chain, with farmer training and mentorship programmes included.
South Africa
Gugulethu and Langa Pupils Inspired by Observatory Visit
Pupils from Gugulethu and Langa recently got a glimpse of the universe beyond Earth during a visit to the Observatory in Cape Town.
The visit is part of the government’s efforts to encourage learners from previously disadvantaged areas to study astronomy, science and technology.
It forms part of the Higher Education Department’s initiative to promote science education and inspire young people to explore careers in STEM fields.
13 Year old Siyabulela learner Sean Venganayi says he learnt a lot.
South Africa
Financial Indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 65.08 to the US Dollar, 21.73 to the British Pound, and 19.00 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,953.04 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 66,819.00.
Ramsgate Youth Centre Secures Future
The Pie Factory Music youth centre in Ramsgate, Kent, United Kingdom, has secured ownership of its building after 13 years of supporting young people with counseling, life skills, creative projects, and safe spaces to make friends.
Facing potential closure when the town council prepared to auction the land, the centre campaigned alongside local groups and received a $500,000 grant from the government’s Pride in Place program, allowing them to buy the freehold and secure their future.
The centre now has a permanent home, ensuring young people in Ramsgate continue to have a safe, creative environment where they can learn, socialise, and take part in activities like music, cooking classes, and sports.
Local: 84 words (32%), National: 177 words (68%), International: 0 words (0%)