News Bulletin of 19 May 2026, 10am

Headline 1
Lethabong girls receive ICT mentorship support
Story 1
Young women at Lethabong School of Specialisation in Soshanguve have received mentorship and practical support through the Faculty of ICT’s Help a Girl Child Apply initiative.
The programme helped learners apply for university courses linked to information and communication technology careers.
Student leaders and mentors also hosted workshops focused on confidence building, career guidance and personal development.
The initiative aims to increase access to higher education and encourage more young women to enter the technology sector.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Midlands community knits blankets for needy
Story 2
A Midlands community in KwaZulu-Natal has knitted and donated 318 blankets for people in need through an initiative led by Piggly Wiggly Country Village.
Knitters met weekly at the coffee shop over several months to create blanket squares, with some continuing work at home.
The blankets were showcased earlier this month during a community event where residents gathered to view the finished work.
The blankets will now be distributed to support people requiring warmth across the region.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
London Marathon draws record ballot applications
Story 3
The 2027 London Marathon has attracted a record one million three hundred and thirty-eight thousand ballot applications, the highest in the event’s history and more than double the 2024 figure.
Organisers say more than one million entries came from the United Kingdom, equal to about 1.8% of the population, reflecting strong local interest in the race.
International runners also drove demand, with over 330,000 applications submitted from more than 200 countries.
Women aged 20 to 29 made up the largest group of UK applicants, marking significant growth in that category.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.57 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,544.31 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 77,036.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Shakira calls for unity through football
Teaser / Tailpiece story
Shakira says the 2026 FIFA World Cup must bring people together at a time of global division, as she releases the official tournament song “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy.
She says the project connects her long-standing work in music and education, adding that she has “been writing songs and building schools” since she was 18.
Shakira says all proceeds from the song will go to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund to support children’s education and expand access to learning and football opportunities.
She is also set to perform at the World Cup final in New Jersey on 19 July, alongside Madonna and BTS.
Split analysis
Local: 77 words (32%), National: 76 words (32%), International: 84 words (35%)