News Bulletin of 19 January 2026, 2pm

Headline 1
Tshepo Makole Foundation provides food relief in Dube
Story 1
The Tshepo Makole Youth Empowerment Foundation donated food parcels to vulnerable families and community members in Dube who struggle to access basic food supplies.
The initiative focused on households reliant on social relief grants or handouts, ensuring support reached those most in need.
Project manager Tshepo Makole said beneficiaries were identified through careful assessments of family circumstances and need.
The foundation plans to continue the programme and encourages further participation from the community, private sector, and other stakeholders.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
DBE launches free Second Chance Matric programme for 2025 learners
Story 2
The Department of Basic Education is offering a free Second Chance Programme for learners who were unsuccessful in their 2025 National Senior Certificate exams.
Eligible learners can re-write or add subjects without any cost.
The programme is designed to help learners obtain their Grade 12 certificate and improve opportunities for further study, career development, and access to bursaries.
Subjects on offer include Accounting, Agricultural Science, Business Studies, Economics, English First Additional Language, Geography, History, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences.
Career consultant Dr Sanele Gumede says the programme works.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Windsor East community unites for first clean-up of the year
Story 3
Residents, volunteers, local organisations, businesses, and churches came together in Windsor East for the first community clean-up of 2026.
The initiative tackled littering, illegal dumping, and general environmental neglect, leaving streets visibly cleaner and public spaces reclaimed.
Children also joined the effort, contributing alongside adults to restore the neighbourhood.
Organisers said the clean-up shows what can be achieved through collective action, teamwork, and ongoing community involvement.
The clean-up addressed key problem areas, including Dukes Avenue and Beatrice Street, and resulted in visibly cleaner streets across Windsor East.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.45 to the US Dollar, 22.05 to the British Pound, and 19.13 to the Euro.

Gold is trading a t4,668.70 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 64.13 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 92,986.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Google introduces Gemini AI to upgrade Gmail
Teaser / Tailpiece story
Google is rolling out major upgrades to Gmail with new AI tools as part of its 'Gemini era'.
The aim is to help the platform’s three billion users manage crowded inboxes more efficiently.
New features include AI Overviews, which summarise long email threads and provide quick answers to questions about past conversations.
The tools can also prioritise important messages, highlight key contacts and deadlines, and assist with drafting or refining emails in the user’s style.
Conversation summaries will be available to all users, while asking specific questions will be offered to Google’s paid AI subscribers.
Google says the updates are designed to save time, reduce inbox clutter, and make email a more useful and efficient tool for everyday communication.
Split analysis
Local: 164 words (65%), National: 89 words (35%), International: 0 words (0%)