News Bulletin of 5 May 2026, 5pm

Cyclists are set to take on the Trap de Val gravel ride on 16 May, starting at Thaba Trails in Johannesburg and finishing at the Val Hotel in Mpumalanga.
The 162 kilometre route offers a challenging off road experience with water points and a halfway stop to support riders along the way.
The event has grown from a small group of friends into a popular annual ride, with around 200 participants expected.
Proceeds will go to the Teddy Bear Foundation for Abused Children, which provides counselling, medical care and family support.

A South African student filmmaker has earned international recognition after being shortlisted for the 2026 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards.
Talita Brits, a production design student at the Open Window Institute, was selected in the Student Category for her short film Ongeluk.
The awards received more than 8 400 entries from 162 countries, placing her among a select group of emerging filmmakers.
Brits will attend an industry programme at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles ahead of the final awards ceremony in June.

A three day childcare conference in Johannesburg is aiming to tackle challenges facing early childhood services across Africa.
Delegates are focusing on improving access to quality childcare and strengthening support systems, especially in low income communities.
The gathering comes as many programmes continue to face funding challenges, affecting their ability to expand services and reach more children.
Discussions are also exploring ways to attract more investment and improve coordination across the sector.
World Bank’s Division Director Sathu Kahkonen says the difficult questions have to be asked in order to improve childcare in Southern and Eastern Africa