News Bulletin of 18 January 2026, 9am

South Africa’s FlySafair has been named the most punctual airline in the Middle East and Africa. The airline has consistently ranked among the world’s most punctual airlines, since launching operations in 2014 and has earned multiple global awards for on-time performance. The airline operated 98.9% of its scheduled flights, keeping cancelations among the lowest in the region.The rankings are based on more than 25 million data points from over 600 sources, making it one of the most trusted benchmarks of operational performance worldwide.

SANParks has praised its staff for their heroic efforts to keep visitors safe during the Kruger National Parks’s flooding. The organisation commended pilots and on-the-ground crews for their calm, professional response, saying evacuations were handled with care and compassion. Many guests have since shared their experiences, highlighting the dedication of the teams involved. A French tourist shared a Facebook video showing pilots and rangers rescuing visitors stranded at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp. The SANParks Honorary Rangers also thanked staff, pilots, rangers and support teams for helping safely evacuate K9 units during the floods.

The City of Tshwane says Pretoria’s informal economy has grown by 33% in the past year, creating an estimated 57,000 livelihoods. This comes after a new by-law was approved to support township and informal businesses. MMC for Economic Development Sarah Mabotsa said the sector is playing a key role in fighting unemployment and restoring economic dignity, especially for women and young people. The by-law expands the definition of informal trade to include spaza shops, flea markets, mobile traders and container-based businesses. This will offer better infrastructure, training and regulatory support.