News Bulletin of 18 May 2026, 5pm

Headline 1
New Coding and Robotics Centre Opens at Soweto Primary School
Story 1
iSchoolAfrica and iStore have launched a refurbished coding and robotics centre at Igugu Primary School in Mofolo, Soweto, aimed at expanding digital learning opportunities for learners.
The new facility includes iPads and other technology designed to help pupils develop coding, robotics and digital literacy skills from an early age.
iSchoolAfrica says it has been working with the school since 2020 through digital education programmes, while the new centre is expected to support both learners and the wider community.
Deputy Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube says the initiative is helping make technology based education more accessible in local communities.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Swimmers Brave Cold Atlantic Waters to Raise Funds for Education
Story 2
Two endurance swimmers, Chris Oldnall and Peet Crowther, are currently tackling a 66 kilometre open water challenge between Milnerton and Robben Island in icy Atlantic conditions.
The swim forms part of their Trilogy Ocean Challenge, a two year endurance project aimed at raising funds for the South African Hall of Fame Legacy Project, which supports underprivileged boys with bursaries to attend Pretoria Boys High School.
Support teams report water temperatures of around 16 degrees Celsius as the pair continue through what is described as their toughest stage yet, following earlier long distance swims across False Bay and between Robben Island and Dassen Island.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Learners Dress as Heroes to Mark World Hunger Day
Story 3
Learners and staff at The King’s School Robin Hills celebrated World Hunger Day with a charity drive where students arrived dressed as superheroes and teachers while donating canned food items.
The initiative brought together both primary and high school learners, with each donation supporting vulnerable communities facing hunger.
All collected items will be donated to Africa Food for Thought, an organisation that assists food insecure families in local communities.
School staff say the drive resulted in hundreds of cans being collected to support those in need.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.68 to the US Dollar, 22.22 to the British Pound, and 19.33 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 0.00 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 76,393.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Rescue Team Saves Dog Trapped Underground in Scarborough
Teaser / Tailpiece story
The Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team spent six hours carefully digging and widening a narrow underground crevice to reach a Staffordshire bull terrier named Maisy, who had fallen about 6.5 metres and become trapped.
The 18 member volunteer team worked in tight, unstable conditions, with some members entering the hole to reach the dog and form a human chain to lift her safely to the surface.
Maisy, aged 12, was reunited with her owner after the successful rescue.
Split analysis
Local: 187 words (65%), National: 101 words (35%), International: 0 words (0%)