News Bulletin of 28 January 2026, 1pm

Gauteng expands smart licence centres for faster service
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is expanding its Smart Driver Licence Testing Centres across the province to make licensing faster, more convenient, and corruption-free.
Licence renewals can now take as little as 10 minutes, using cashless, appointment-based services fully integrated into the eNaTIS system.
Smart DLTCs are already operating in Atteridgeville, Midrand, Centurion, Denlyn, Maponya Mall, and Protea Glen, with more set to open in underserved communities.
The centres operate Monday to Saturday, create local jobs, and improve road safety by ensuring drivers are properly licensed
Sandton and Gauteng
Twin brothers raise over R60,000 for Overstrand Hospice
Twin brothers Bouwer and Laurentius Schoonwinkel have turned their love of walking into a lifesaving mission.
The retired police captains walked 104 km from L’Agulhas to Danger Point in the Western Cape over four days, raising R60,167 for the Overstrand Hospice, which provides free care for terminally ill patients and their families.
Their efforts received support from around the world, including Namibia, Australia, England, and the USA. The hospice team welcomed the donation and celebrated the brothers’ remarkable achievement.
South Africa
Labour Department moves to classify performers as employees
The Employment and Labour Minister has published a notice proposing that actors, performers and crew members be classified as standard employees.
If approved, TV, film and advertising workers could fall under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
This would mean entitlement to annual, sick and maternity leave, protections around working hours and overtime pay, and safeguards against unfair contract termination.
The department says many in the industry are currently labelled as independent contractors, despite working under conditions similar to regular employment.
The public has until 22 February to submit written comments on the proposal.
South Africa
Financial Indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 15.84 to the US Dollar, 21.86 to the British Pound, and 18.99 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 5,296.65 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 67.57 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 89,346.00.
Delta Airlines to give record profit sharing to staff
Delta Airlines will pay around $1.3 billion, or roughly R20.9 billion, to its employees in profit sharing, one of the largest payouts in the company’s history.
Staff will receive between three and five weeks’ salary, depending on their role, as part of the company’s annual Profit Sharing Day on Valentine’s Day.
The bonus gives employees a share of company revenue, with higher percentages awarded when earnings exceed $2.5 billion.
Despite a challenging year, including $200 million lost during a government shutdown, Delta continues to reward staff for their dedication, care, and focus on safety.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian says taking good care of staff is a top priority
Local: 87 words (34%), National: 172 words (66%), International: 0 words (0%)