News Bulletin of 18 June 2026, 5pm

Headline 1
Foundation Launches School Shoe Drive for Princess Primary Learners
Story 1
The Masechaba Foundation in Weltevreden Park has launched a school shoe donation campaign aimed at supporting 120 learners at Princess Primary School.

The initiative focuses on assisting children from underprivileged families by providing properly fitted school shoes through a locally produced supply partnership.
The foundation says it is appealing for financial contributions from individuals and businesses to help reach its target, with each donation contributing towards shoes manufactured at a reduced cost. It adds that the programme is intended to grow into a
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Headline 2
IDC Deal Saves Tongaat Hulett from Liquidation
Story 2
The Industrial Development Corporation has stepped in to prevent sugar producer Tongaat Hulett from going into liquidation through a deal with the Vision Consortium led by businessman Robert Gumede.
The company remains under business rescue, while the intervention is expected to stabilise operations and secure thousands of jobs across the sugar value chain.
SA Canegrowers Association CEO Thomas Funke says the move helps protect South Africa’s sugar sector and the farmers who rely on it as a key buyer of sugarcane.
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Headline 3
UJ Retains Top Spot for Research Output in South Africa
Story 3
The University of Johannesburg has retained its position as South Africa’s leading producer of accredited research outputs, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s latest sector report.
UJ generated 3 513 accredited research output units in 2024, accounting for more than 13 percent of the country’s total research output.
The achievement marks the fourth consecutive year that UJ has ranked first nationally.
The university says the result reflects sustained growth in research productivity, with work published across accredited journals, books, book chapters and conference proceedings.
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Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.41 to the US Dollar, 21.72to the British Pound, and 18.82 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,246.59 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 79.55 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 63,603.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
MTN Bushfire 2026 Attracts Thousands to eSwatini
Teaser / Tailpiece story
The 2026 MTN Bushfire festival in eSwatini drew more than 23 000 attendees from over 55 countries across a three day event in Malkerns.
Organisers say the festival featured 378 artists across 96 acts, combining music, arts and advocacy programmes.
More than 50 000 arrivals were recorded in eSwatini during the festival weekend, with increased hotel occupancy and air traffic reflecting a boost in tourism activity
The event also supported local businesses through transport, hospitality and creative industry spending, while hosting community and advocacy spaces focused on social and health issues.
Split analysis
Local: 168 words (67%), National: 82 words (33%), International: 0 words (0%)