News Bulletin of 30 June 2026, 6pm

Pretoria winter market draws strong crowds to Irene venue
Hundreds of Pretoria residents visited a winter market held at Whisk Wine Bar in Irene, browsing stalls offering clothing, food, jewellery and handmade crafts.
The event featured around 15 local vendors, live music from a resident DJ, and a family-friendly setup with a play area for children and pet-friendly access.
Organisers say the market is held once a season, with each edition featuring a different theme to support small businesses and local traders.
Vendors say the market helps boost exposure and grow their customer base as more shoppers attend seasonal events.
Sandton and Gauteng
Young South Africans boost national blood supply through regular donations

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) says young people are playing a growing role in saving lives through blood donation.
New data shows that 43.27% of regular donors are aged between 16 and 30, reflecting a shift towards greater youth participation in voluntary blood donation.
SANBS says this growing involvement is helping to secure a stable blood supply for hospitals and emergency care across the country.
The organisation is encouraging more eligible South Africans to become regular donors as demand for blood remains constant in healthcare services.
South Africa
New skate and scooter tracks bring joy to children in Apple Park
New skate and scooter tracks have been opened in Apple Park through a community project led by Toekomsvenster, giving local children improved access to safe recreational spaces.
The initiative, founded by Pastor Jannie Pelser, has worked for several years to develop and maintain parks in the area.
The latest upgrade includes an expanded skateboarding track and a new scooter track, with equipment provided for children to use during the opening celebrations.
Alongside the recreational development, the organisation continues its outreach work by providing weekly meals to more than 150 people through Sunday gatherings.
Sandton and Gauteng
Financial Indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.38 to the US Dollar, 21.70 to the British Pound, and 18.70 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,050.71 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 73.15 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 58,317.00.
600-acre land donation expands protection around Great Smoky Mountains
A 600-acre property bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the United States has been permanently protected following its acquisition by the Foothills Land Conservancy.
The land, known as the Oliver Tract, sits near Townsend, Tennessee, and Cades Cove, and includes intact forest, wildlife habitat, watershed resources and culturally significant land linked to early settlement in the region. The conservancy plans to transfer the property to the National Park Service after the necessary federal review process is completed.
Officials say the protection of the land secures one of the most significant remaining privately held properties adjacent to the heavily visited national park.
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