News Bulletin of 26 January 2026, 1pm

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is accelerating the rollout of Smart Driver Licence Testing Centres across the province to improve access to licensing services.
The department says the centres are being rolled out closer to townships, informal settlements and hostels.
The new smart centres are cashless, designed to reduce backlogs, increase capacity and process licence renewals in about ten minutes.
Smart centres are already operating in Atteridgeville, Denlyn, Maponya Mall, Centurion, Protea Glen and Midrand. An additional smart centre in Umphakathi is set to open soon, further expanding access to modern licensing services in Gauteng.

Minister in the Presidency Maropeng Ramokgopa says South Africa has secured R44.2 billion in new investments following structural reforms in energy, logistics, and industrial sectors. These include projects in automotive manufacturing and battery minerals, showing growing confidence in the economy.
Ramokgopa said the developments reflect progress in energy stability, industrial growth, tourism recovery, and social protections.
While challenges like unemployment remain, the inflow of new projects signals a strengthening economy and expanding opportunities for businesses and workers across the country.

An 18-year-old cyclist from England is undertaking a long-distance journey from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, to raise funds for South African-based charity Qhubeka.
George Malcolm plans to cover more than 25-thousand kilometres, with the challenge expected to take about a year and a half.
Qhubeka provides bicycles to people in underserved communities, aimed at improving access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
Malcolm says he has already encountered several mechanical and terrain-related challenges, but continues his journey with support from local cyclists and representatives from Qhubeka in the UK.