News Bulletin of 29 July 2026, 2pm

A new soup kitchen launched this month in Alexandra is helping ease food insecurity by providing warm meals and support to residents in need.
The Tswelopele Soup Kitchen, started by members of the Ageing With Wisdom Elderly Forum, serves soup and bread to struggling households and aims to provide meals at least three times a week.
The initiative was created to support families facing financial challenges while bringing the community together.
Organisers say they hope to keep the project running with support from local residents and partners.

South African ballet dancer Candice Desilets has made history after becoming the first South African to graduate from the prestigious Vaganova Academy in St Petersburg, Russia.
Candice was accepted into the academy in 2022 after beginning her training at The Russian School of Ballet in South Africa at the age of 10.
After four years of intensive training in the Vaganova method, she has completed her studies at the institution known for producing some of the world’s leading classical ballet dancers.
Candice says she is grateful for the lessons she learned and the achievements she gained during her time at the academy.

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.