News Bulletin of 18 March 2026, 2pm

Headline 1
Alex 10K Returns to Alexandra Township
Story 1
Alexandra Township will come alive on Saturday, 21 March, as the Alex 10K returns for its 2026 edition.
The annual race, launched in 2023, has grown into a flagship 10km event with a 5km option and junior prize categories, attracting thousands of participants each year.
The race supports grassroots athletics through the Run Alex Athletics Club and the Read Alex Project, a programme aimed at improving literacy and educational outcomes for local children.
Participants will navigate a route showcasing Alexandra’s historic streets, places of worship, entertainment hubs, and sports facilities, combining fitness with community celebration.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Conjoined Twin Boys Successfully Separated in Limpopo
Story 2
Conjoined twin boys born in January at Mankweng Hospital outside Polokwane have been successfully separated in a complex surgical procedure. The twins were delivered by a 29 year old mother who had been transferred from Maphutha Malatjie Hospital near Phalaborwa.
A team of surgeons led by paediatric specialist Nyaweleni Tshifularo carried out the operation, marking a major medical achievement for the province.
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has welcomed the success, commending the medical team for their expertise and dedication. *sound*
Story 2 category
Headline 3
UJ Presents Jazz Tribute to Bheki Mseleku
Story 3
UJ Arts & Culture, in collaboration with Black Major, will present Home at Last: A Tribute to Bheki Mseleku, a live jazz performance honouring the late South African pianist and composer. The concert features award-winning pianist Bokani Dyer and internationally acclaimed flautist Gareth Lockrane, a former member of Mseleku’s band, leading a South African ensemble to perform previously unreleased compositions for the first time in South Africa.
The event celebrates Mseleku’s enduring influence, blending heritage, innovation, and improvisation while preserving his musical legacy.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.65 to the US Dollar, 22.21 to the British Pound, and 19.20 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,990.25 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 103.42 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 73,923.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Global Cities Show Major Air Quality Gains
Teaser / Tailpiece story
A global report shows 19 cities have made remarkable improvements in air quality since 2010, cutting toxic pollutants by up to 45 percent in just over a decade.
San Francisco reduced both fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide by 20 percent, while Beijing, Warsaw, Amsterdam and Rotterdam achieved even larger drops.
Cities used a mix of strategies, including switching to electric vehicles, expanding bike lanes, and limiting emissions from stoves and power plants.
European cities focused on clean electricity, while many Asian cities targeted vehicle emissions, showing different approaches can deliver results.
Split analysis
Local: 177 words (69%), National: 79 words (31%), International: 0 words (0%)