News Bulletin of 3 April 2026, 8am

Partially Blind participant in Oceans 8 Swim
A 22-year-old partially blind girl from KwaZulu Natal will be competing in the 1 Mile Oceans 8 Charty Swim in May. Alwande Mthembu, will compete in the competition after receiving a sponsored entry from Kathryn Powell, who is recovering from a 2022 leopard attack. Mthembu, who is blind in her right eye and has limited vision in her left, discovered adaptive surfing through Made for More. Made for More is a non profit organization guiding and empowering disabled communities. After winning three SA gold medals and earning a national team call-up, she is now adding open-water swimming to her list of achievements.
South Africa
SA Scientists Head to Nobel Meeting
Six South African scientists have been selected to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany. The 75th edition of the meeting will take place in Lindau from June 28 to July 3, 2026, bringing together 75 Nobel Laureates and around 636 young scientists from 88 countries. All participants were chosen through a rigorous multi-stage selection process. Focused on interdisciplinary research, the event creates a unique platform for early-career scientists to engage with some of the world’s leading minds and discuss cutting-edge discoveries.

World
Rescue Expo Returns This Apri
Johannesburg’s Rescue Expo returns with its first-ever Autumn Edition on Sunday 19 April 2026 at Bryanston Market from 9am to 3pm. The event brings together organisations rescuing and rehabilitating animals from greyhounds and cats to donkeys, pigs, parrots, rats, and big cats. Visitors can meet the people behind these lifesaving efforts, explore adoption opportunities, buy fundraising merchandise, and enjoy a pet-friendly day out.
Tickets cost R50 for adults, while children attend free.
Sandton and Gauteng
Financial Indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.87 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,679.95 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 66,577.00.
India Launches Massive Census
More than a billion people across India will be asked a series of detailed questions as the country begins the world’s largest census—its first population count in over 15 years.
The two-phase initiative, considered the most ambitious of its kind, will involve over three million officials working for a year to count every resident. This marks India’s 16th census—and the eighth since independence in 1947. Results are expected to play a key role in shaping policy, welfare distribution, and political representation.


Local: 71 words (29%), National: 99 words (40%), International: 79 words (32%)