News Bulletin of 23 January 2026, 5pm

A 12-year-old learner from Olivedale has returned home with new skills and confidence after representing South Africa in Japan.
Saige Johnston, a scholar at Sagan Academy, was one of only five girls nationally selected for elite training and an international judo championship in Fukuoka last December.
She trained twice daily, mastered new techniques from international opponents, and says the experience boosted her confidence both on and off the mat.
Johnston hopes to compete internationally again, work towards her black belt, and eventually run her own judo training classes, crediting her coach for her guidance throughout the journey.

An 11-tournament squash series, backed by Assore, will be held across South Africa this year, giving local players the chance to earn PSA world ranking points without the expense of international travel.
The series will include satellite and higher-level events, as well as junior and under 23 competitions, providing opportunities for players at different stages of their careers.
Squash South Africa says the domestic circuit will help athletes develop their skills and improve their rankings affordably, while preparing for bigger international tournaments and the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
President Blaar Coetzee says the initiative will elevate the standard of South African squash.

Marine scientists in Mauritius say a new coral-breeding approach has shown promising results after a major bleaching event last summer.
While some nearby reefs lost up to 80 percent of their coral, reefs developed by Dr Nadeem Nazurally recorded survival rates as high as 99 percent.
The project focuses on naturally breeding corals that can tolerate warmer water, after traditional restoration methods proved ineffective against rising ocean temperatures.
The reefs were developed in protected nurseries using coral eggs and sperm collected during spawning events, with heat-tolerant corals selected to reproduce.
Researchers say the results suggest coral management could play a role in protecting reef ecosystems in the decades ahead.