News Bulletin of 18 February 2026, 8am

Headline 1
Learners and teachers attend STEM Bootcamp
Story 1
Two hundred secondary school learners and 40 STEM teachers attended a two-day STEM Bootcamp at the University of Pretoria last week.
Participants took part in hands-on activities in electricity and engineering design, while mentorship sessions introduced learners, especially girls, to STEM careers.
The programme, ran with UNESCO, IEEE and the Basic Education as well as the Science, Technology and Innovation Departments, aims to give students early exposure to practical STEM skills and career opportunities.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Flights between Johannesburg and St Helena Airport
Story 2
Airlink has resumed flights between Johannesburg and St Helena following the reopening of St Helena Airport.
Flights had been suspended earlier this month after a safety assessment downgraded the airport, leaving passengers stranded for weeks.
The airport has now completed repairs and passed safety tests by Air Safety Support International, allowing travel to resume.
Priority on the resumed flights is given to passengers affected by the closure, while bookings for later flights will open in the coming weeks.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Fish Hoek community for cancer patient
Story 3
The Fish Hoek community in Cape Town has raised R11,000 for 10-year-old Zack, who is undergoing cancer treatment, through the Big Walk for Little Warriors held on Saturday.
Over 200 people took part in the walk while volunteers and sponsors provided jumping castles, refreshments and on-site medical support.
The Fish Hoek Lions Club and Reach For A Dream Foundation teamed up to fulfill Zack’s Dream Day, of having fun and taking a break from his hospital treatment and medical appointments.
Other local organisations, contributed resources to make the day possible.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 15.98 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 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 67,745.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
16-year-old publishes isiXhosa book
Teaser / Tailpiece story
16-year-old Akahlulwa Ncokazi from Dutywa in the Eastern Cape has published her first isiXhosa book, 'Liphupha Lam Eli'.
The book, which translates to “This Is My Dream,” follows a young girl who wants to become a medical doctor and explores themes of ambition and perseverance.
Ncokazi says she wrote the book to encourage young people to read and write in isiXhosa and to promote pride in their home language:
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Split analysis
Local: 151 words (63%), National: 90 words (37%), International: 0 words (0%)