News Bulletin of 25 August 2026, 9am

Headline 1
Future Leaders Challenge Brings Learners Together
Story 1
The 2026 Future Leaders Challenge has been launched, bringing learners together to develop leadership skills and find solutions to challenges in their communities.
Learners gathered at Hyde Park in Johannesburg earlier this month, where they watched a film and met previous participants in the programme.
The challenge provides mentorship, educational resources and leadership training to help learners turn community problems into practical solutions.
Primestars says the programme has reached more than 12,000 young people across South Africa since it began.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
10 Entrepreneurs Battle for R1 Million
Story 2
The 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge will see 10 entrepreneurs from all nine provinces compete for a R1 million prize in Gqeberha on Thursday.
The finalists will pitch their businesses to judges as part of the Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit in the Eastern Cape.
The businesses operate in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, food production and sustainable construction.
Standard Bank says its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme supports qualifying SMEs through funding, mentorship, skills development and access to markets.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Akani Simbine Named SA Sports Star
Story 3
South African sprinter, Akani Simbine, has walked away with top honours at the 19th SA Sports Awards at Sun City in North West Sunday night.
Simbine was crowned SA Sports Star of the Year.
The sprinter, World Rugby's Player of the Year, Springbok Malcolm Marx, and Proteas cricket captain, Temba Bavuma, were nominated in this category.
His award was accepted by his mother, Elsie Simbine:
*sound*
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 0.00 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 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 80,656.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Women Gather for Martial Arts Seminar
Teaser / Tailpiece story
More than 100 women gathered at Bracken Park Community Hall on 15-August for the seventh Beauty is a Beast Women-Only Martial Arts Seminar.
Participants took part in eight martial arts and fitness sessions.
Female instructors led six hours of training, giving beginners and experienced martial artists a chance to learn new skills.
Coordinator of the Beauty is a Beast seminar, Karyn Smith, says the event aims to help women build confidence, fitness and self-defence skills through martial arts.
Split analysis
Local: 78 words (35%), National: 147 words (65%), International: 0 words (0%)