Headline 1
Sandton set for a weekend of jazz magic
Story 1
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival opens tonight at the Sandton International Convention Centre, bringing one of Africa’s premier music events to the heart of Johannesburg.
The festival celebrates its 26th year with more than 60 artists from over 15 countries.
Fans can expect dazzling performances from global stars like Esperanza Spalding and homegrown talent Thandi Ntuli.
With four stages filled with world-class acts, the festival promises nights of rhythm, energy, and unforgettable jazz in Africa’s richest square mile.
The festival celebrates its 26th year with more than 60 artists from over 15 countries.
Fans can expect dazzling performances from global stars like Esperanza Spalding and homegrown talent Thandi Ntuli.
With four stages filled with world-class acts, the festival promises nights of rhythm, energy, and unforgettable jazz in Africa’s richest square mile.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
First dyslexia screening tool for isiXhosa-speaking children developed
Story 2
A team of South African researchers has developed and piloted the first dyslexia screening tool specifically for isiXhosa-speaking children, addressing a major gap in early literacy assessment.
The pilot study, conducted across three Gauteng schools with 19 learners aged 6–10, successfully identified children at risk of dyslexia, including five clearly at risk and eight possibly at risk.
The tool, created by Bellavista S.H.A.R.E. in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, combines a learner assessment, teacher checklist, and parent questionnaire, ensuring reliable identification through multiple sources.
Early detection allows for timely intervention during critical developmental years, helping prevent academic struggles and supporting children’s literacy in their home language.
This breakthrough provides an essential resource for South African educators and families, ensuring isiXhosa-speaking learners receive the support they need to thrive academically.
The pilot study, conducted across three Gauteng schools with 19 learners aged 6–10, successfully identified children at risk of dyslexia, including five clearly at risk and eight possibly at risk.
The tool, created by Bellavista S.H.A.R.E. in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, combines a learner assessment, teacher checklist, and parent questionnaire, ensuring reliable identification through multiple sources.
Early detection allows for timely intervention during critical developmental years, helping prevent academic struggles and supporting children’s literacy in their home language.
This breakthrough provides an essential resource for South African educators and families, ensuring isiXhosa-speaking learners receive the support they need to thrive academically.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
65-year-old Britain’s strongest grandmother smashes four powerlifting world records
Story 3
65-year-old Martine Barons has taken the powerlifting world by storm, breaking four world records just 18 months after taking up the sport by chance.
The Stratford-upon-Avon grandmother started lifting weights in December 2023 and quickly discovered her natural strength. She now trains five times a week while working full-time as an academic researcher at Warwick University.
Barons has won European titles in Finland and Poland, as well as World Championships in Ireland and the USA.
She set records in the squat (100kg), deadlift (155kg), bench press (57.5kg), and total powerlifting score (312.5kg). Her next competition is the British Single Lifts Championship at the Arnold Sports Festival in Birmingham in March 2026.
Her incredible achievements highlight that age is no barrier to discovering new talents and excelling at the highest level.
The Stratford-upon-Avon grandmother started lifting weights in December 2023 and quickly discovered her natural strength. She now trains five times a week while working full-time as an academic researcher at Warwick University.
Barons has won European titles in Finland and Poland, as well as World Championships in Ireland and the USA.
She set records in the squat (100kg), deadlift (155kg), bench press (57.5kg), and total powerlifting score (312.5kg). Her next competition is the British Single Lifts Championship at the Arnold Sports Festival in Birmingham in March 2026.
Her incredible achievements highlight that age is no barrier to discovering new talents and excelling at the highest level.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:
The Rand is trading at 17.45 to the US Dollar, 23.30 to the British Pound, and 20.36 to the Euro.
Gold is trading at 3,750.88 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 69.42 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 109,140.00.
The Rand is trading at 17.45 to the US Dollar, 23.30 to the British Pound, and 20.36 to the Euro.
Gold is trading at 3,750.88 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 69.42 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 109,140.00.
Split analysis
Local: 80 words (23%), National: 134 words (39%), International: 127 words (37%)