News Bulletin of 27 January 2026, 2pm

European Fun Cup makes historic African debut at Kyalami
The European Fun Cup made its African debut at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on 16 and 17 January, marking the first time the championship has raced outside Europe.
The season opener featured a 62-car grid competing in an eight-hour endurance format, providing fans with nonstop action and close, competitive racing.
The Fun Cup is known for its amateur and semi-professional drivers competing in identical cars.
Organisers say the successful Kyalami event opens doors for future international motorsport in South Africa, showcasing the country as a venue for major racing events.
Sandton and Gauteng
Montreux Jazz Festival set for Franschhoek debut in 2026
The Montreux Jazz Festival, usually held in Switzerland, will take place in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands from 27 to 29 March 2026.
This will be the first time the festival is hosted in Africa.
Organisers say the event will bring together international and local jazz artists for a three day programme of performances and that it caters for everyone *Sound*
The festival is expected to provide a platform for South African talent and attract music fans from across the country and abroad.
South Africa
Northerns donates cricket equipment to Tsakane Cricket Club

Benoni Northerns Junior Cricket Club recently donated cricket equipment to Tsakane Cricket Club, giving young players access to resources to develop their skills.
The initiative focused on collecting usable kits to support junior cricket and the wider cricketing community.
Chairperson Sean Howard said the project reinforced the club’s core values of unity, generosity, and community upliftment.
The collected kits were formally handed over to Tsakane CC representative Luyanda Manqalaza,.
Howard added that the success of the festive season drive has inspired the club to continue seeking opportunities to use cricket to make a positive impact.
Sandton and Gauteng
Financial Indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.07 to the US Dollar, 21.96to the British Pound, and 19.05 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 5,078.82 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 65.59 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 87,745.00.
Swedish pharmacy trial tackles loneliness with Friend Care
Sweden’s pharmacy chain Apotek(et-yeta) Hjärtat has launched a trial giving staff 15 minutes a day, or one hour a month, to focus on friendship and social connection.

Employees can use the time to make phone calls, meet someone in person, plan activities, or simply chat with co-workers, with the company even offering $100 a year to support the initiative.

The policy, called Friend Care, follows research showing 8 percent of Swedish adults have no close friends and aims to reduce loneliness both among staff and the wider community.
Employees report the time is helping them reach out more, plan social activities, and build stronger relationships.
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