News Bulletin of 27 February 2026, 11am

Headline 1
Soft Robotics changing lives through tech
Story 1
The newly launched Soft Robotics course at Wits University and the University of Johannesburg is teaching students to build devices that can help people in everyday life.
Earlier this month, 30 engineering students created prototypes like automated blood pressure monitors to track health and Inflatable Backpacks that could make carrying heavy loads easier.
The students used 3D printing and air-powered circuits to make the devices work.
The course will help both universities continue training students to design useful robotic tools in the future.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Mobility boost for rural communities
Story 2
Three Johannesburg-based NGO's have delivered and fitted 85 custom mobility scooters for children and adults with disabilities in rural areas in the Free State.
The team collected buggies from hospitals, renovated them, and worked with therapists to customise each one for the recipient’s specific needs.
They also hosted a Buggy Recycling Workshop for therapists to expand local support and training.
The outreach provided recipients of all ages with improved mobility and independence, giving families practical assistance in areas with limited access to equipment.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Tiisetso Malungane breaks running record
Story 3
16-year-old Tiisetso Malungane from Pretoria broke the South African Under-17 3000 metres record and won the 1500 metres race at the Curro Podium Grand Finale this past weekend.
He cut eight seconds off his previous best time set at the national age group championships in Cape Town a year ago.
Malungane trains under coach Dillan van Rooyen and is supported by the Ruta Setjhaba Foundation, which also funded Olympic silver medallist Bayanda Walaza:
*sound*
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 15.93 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 67,881.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Spotify marks 5 years of operations in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana
Teaser / Tailpiece story
Sportify is marking five years of operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya after launching in the three markets in February 2021.
The streaming platform says users across the three countries have created more than 38 million playlists, with Nigeria leading, followed by Kenya and Ghana.
In Kenya, streams have grown by an average of 68 percent each year through 2025, while the number of Kenyan artists uploading music to the platform has more than doubled since launch.
Afrobeats dominates the charts, with Asake leading streams in Nigeria, Black Sherif topping Ghana’s rankings, and Drake heading Kenya’s most-streamed artist list.
Split analysis
Local: 82 words (35%), National: 155 words (65%), International: 0 words (0%)