News Bulletin of 19 February 2026, 4pm

Headline 1
University of Johannesburg Ranked Among Top Universities in Africa
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The University of Johannesburg has been recognised in several 2026 international rankings. In the inaugural QS World University Rankings for Sub-Saharan Africa, UJ placed second out of nearly 70 universities from 21 countries.
It also ranked highest in the region for its international research network.
In addition, the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa rankings placed UJ first, while its programmes were noted for societal impact. The university continues to rank highly in science, technology, engineering, and business disciplines.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
SAB Foundation Opens 2026 Innovation Awards
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The SAB Foundation is inviting South African innovators to apply for its 2026 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards, supporting practical solutions to social and disability challenges.
Awards range from R300,000 to R1.3 million, with mentorship and business support to help scale early-stage ventures.
The programme focuses on innovations already being developed or tested, in areas like health, housing, rural livelihoods, energy, water, and disability empowerment.
SAB Foundation Head of Programmes, Itumeleng Dhlamini explains .
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Headline 3
Community Garden Project Set to Grow Hope in Ruimsig, Johannesburg
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Work has begun on the Organic Vegetable Garden Project in Ruimsig, Johannesburg, a collaboration between the WRAP Residents Association, Toolbox Empowerment Hub, and Toyota CFAO Mobility. Sixty garden beds are being prepared to provide fresh vegetables to over 60 local schools and organisations, while teaching residents sustainable gardening skills.
The initiative aims to help families reduce reliance on purchased food, with plans to eventually create 10 million household gardens across South Africa.
Beneficiaries like Bethany House Trust are already excited about the impact on children and staff.
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Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.19 to the US Dollar, 21.79 to the British Pound, and 19.05 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,984.29 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 70.35 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 66,206.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Good Samaritan Saves Family from Canal Crash in Martin County
Teaser / Tailpiece story
A Florida man, Casey Curtis, rescued a mother and her three young children after their car went off Allapattah Road and into a canal.
Seeing the accident, Curtis ran to the scene, pulled the children to safety, and helped revive their mother, who had stopped breathing.
First responders then took the family to hospital, where the children were unharmed and the mother remains on a ventilator.
Split analysis
Local: 160 words (69%), National: 73 words (31%), International: 0 words (0%)