News Bulletin of 7 September 2026, 8am

Headline 1
25 ECD Practitioners Get Qualifications
Story 1
Twenty-five early childhood development practitioners from Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus are getting the chance to further their education and improve the teaching they provide to young children.
The Peermont Children’s Trust and Afrika Tikkun Bambanani are funding their one-year NQF Level 5 qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education.
The practitioners have started classes in Alberton and will receive study materials, tutorials and mentoring.
The nearly five-million-rand investment will also upgrade five ECD centres in Thembisa and train 20 more practitioners.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Free State Learners Test Technical Skills
Story 2
More than 160 learners and teachers in the Free State have put their technical skills to the test in a provincial competition.
A total of 103 learners and 63 teachers competed in trades including construction, automotive, woodwork, plumbing, electrical work and welding.
The provincial winners will represent the Free State at the national competition.
Free State Education MEC, Dr Mamaki Maboya says the province has increased the number of schools that offer technical subjects:
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Story 2 category
Headline 3
National Parks Week Underway Nationwide
Story 3
National Parks Week gets under way today and runs until Sunday, 13 September.
South African citizens and residents can visit participating national parks for free during the week.
Visitors need a valid South African ID, while children under 18 do not need identification.
Free entry applies to day visits only and excludes accommodation and other activities.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 15.95 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,430.30 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 79,785.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Cycling Challenge Raises R900,000 for Langa Children
Teaser / Tailpiece story
A 24-hour community cycling challenge has raised R900,000 for VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy, which provides education, sport, nutrition and personal development programmes to children in Langa.
The sixth annual VUSA 24-Hour Cycle Challenge took place on 4 and 5 September, with schools, businesses, families and individual riders cycling through the night and raising donations through BackaBuddy.
The latest fundraising brings the total raised by the challenge since 2021 to almost R5 million.
VUSA now supports more than 2,000 children through after-school academic support, sport, creative programmes, social services and daily hot meals.
Split analysis
Local: 80 words (39%), National: 126 words (61%), International: 0 words (0%)