News Bulletin of 29 July 2026, 1pm

Headline 1
Gauteng opens 2027 school applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners
Story 1
Parents in Gauteng can start applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements for the 2027 school year from 5 August.
The Gauteng Department of Education is encouraging families to apply early as the province’s public schools continue to see growing demand, with more than 2.4 million learners currently enrolled.
Parents will need to complete the online application process, select between three and five schools and submit the required documents within seven school days.
The department has also set up support centres to help families with applications and says school places are allocated free of charge.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
SADC countries discuss future of pharmaceutical industry
Story 2
Leaders and industry experts are looking at ways to strengthen Southern Africa’s pharmaceutical sector during the 9th SADC Industrialisation Week in Durban.
The discussions are focusing on building a safer, technology driven and more integrated medicine manufacturing industry across the region.
The goal is to improve local production, reduce reliance on imported healthcare products and create new opportunities through innovation and investment.
Department of Science, Technology and Innovation Director General Dr Mlungisi Cele says work is continuing to develop new technologies that can drive industrial growth across the region.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Gauteng launches skills council to prepare young people for future jobs
Story 3
Gauteng has launched the Gauteng Human Resource Development Council to help equip young people with skills that match the needs of the province's growing economy.
The council will bring together government, universities, businesses and labour to improve skills development, tackle youth unemployment and align education with future industries. It will also support the implementation of the Gauteng Master Skills Plan and build on initiatives such as the province's Schools of Specialisation.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.73 to the US Dollar, 22.24 to the British Pound, and 19.06 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,031.89 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 84.09 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 64,502.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Driverless minibuses bring libraries to the streets of China
Teaser / Tailpiece story
Driverless minibuses in Guiyang, China, are offering passengers a new way to enjoy books while travelling through the city.
The vehicles have been transformed into mobile libraries, giving passengers access to audiobooks, children’s reading areas and AI powered book recommendations through digital platforms.
The initiative by the Guizhou Provincial Library aims to make reading more accessible by bringing books and learning resources into people’s daily journeys.
The digital library offers millions of free resources, including e-books, audiobooks and educational videos for readers of all ages.
Split analysis
Local: 163 words (64%), National: 90 words (36%), International: 0 words (0%)