Headline 1
Tshwane Rolls Out New Cherry Pickers to Boost Service Delivery
Story 1
The City of Tshwane has unveiled 14 new cherry pickers as part of a 100-vehicle fleet aimed at improving service delivery.
Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya says the move marks a shift towards rebuilding in-house capacity and reducing reliance on costly private contractors.
The cherry pickers will help speed up maintenance tasks like fixing streetlights and pruning trees, which have faced long delays.
The metro also reopened the Pretorius Park Depot, which will now serve as a central hub for managing and repairing municipal vehicles.
Officials say the upgraded fleet and depot will cut turnaround times, improve accountability, and ensure better use of public funds.
More equipment is expected to be rolled out later this year.
Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya says the move marks a shift towards rebuilding in-house capacity and reducing reliance on costly private contractors.
The cherry pickers will help speed up maintenance tasks like fixing streetlights and pruning trees, which have faced long delays.
The metro also reopened the Pretorius Park Depot, which will now serve as a central hub for managing and repairing municipal vehicles.
Officials say the upgraded fleet and depot will cut turnaround times, improve accountability, and ensure better use of public funds.
More equipment is expected to be rolled out later this year.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Online Visa Applications Rolled Out to Boost Tourism and Jobs
Story 2
In a move to boost tourism and cut red tape, Home Affairs has taken its visa application process online.
The department says the new digital platform is part of efforts to streamline entry into South Africa, especially for travellers from key markets.
It follows the launch of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme three months ago – a pilot initiative aimed at attracting more high-value tourists.
So far, the scheme has already drawn over 11,000 visitors from China and India, with government hoping the simplified system will encourage even more arrivals.
Officials say the fast-tracked application process is expected to create jobs, stimulate spending, and support the recovery of the tourism sector after years of slow growth.
The department plans to expand the online service to include more countries in the near future.
The department says the new digital platform is part of efforts to streamline entry into South Africa, especially for travellers from key markets.
It follows the launch of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme three months ago – a pilot initiative aimed at attracting more high-value tourists.
So far, the scheme has already drawn over 11,000 visitors from China and India, with government hoping the simplified system will encourage even more arrivals.
Officials say the fast-tracked application process is expected to create jobs, stimulate spending, and support the recovery of the tourism sector after years of slow growth.
The department plans to expand the online service to include more countries in the near future.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Road to Literacy Campaign Brings Books and Hope to Learners
Story 3
The Department of Basic Education has officially launched the 2025 Road to Literacy campaign, one of South Africa’s largest mobile library drives.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube says eight out of ten children can’t read for meaning by age ten – and this must change.
With help from AVBOB and Oxford University Press SA, 1,000 schools and NGOs will receive mobile trolley libraries worth R57,000 each.
Over 500,000 books will be distributed nationwide, with a strong focus on early literacy in all 11 official languages.
Gauteng learners, including those from Tokyo Sexwale Primary and the Oprah Winfrey Academy, stole the show with powerful performances that highlighted the campaign’s impact.
Officials say this is more than books – it’s a step towards real, lasting change in education.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube says eight out of ten children can’t read for meaning by age ten – and this must change.
With help from AVBOB and Oxford University Press SA, 1,000 schools and NGOs will receive mobile trolley libraries worth R57,000 each.
Over 500,000 books will be distributed nationwide, with a strong focus on early literacy in all 11 official languages.
Gauteng learners, including those from Tokyo Sexwale Primary and the Oprah Winfrey Academy, stole the show with powerful performances that highlighted the campaign’s impact.
Officials say this is more than books – it’s a step towards real, lasting change in education.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:
The Rand is trading at 17.85 to the US Dollar, 24.14 to the British Pound, and to 20.31 the Euro.
Gold is trading at 3,354.02 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 65.30 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 105,060.00.
The Rand is trading at 17.85 to the US Dollar, 24.14 to the British Pound, and to 20.31 the Euro.
Gold is trading at 3,354.02 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 65.30 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 105,060.00.
Split analysis
Local: 114 words (31%), National: 252 words (69%), International: 0 words (0%)