News Bulletin of 8 April 2026, 12pm

Headline 1
SDC invites Gauteng youth and people with disabilities to join learnership programme
Story 1
The Skills Development Corporation is inviting Gauteng residents aged 18 to 28, including people with disabilities, to apply for its learnership programme.
The courses cover subjects such as management, and applications can be submitted online or at campuses in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Since 2014, SDC has graduated over 21,000 learners and paid more than R1 billion in stipends.
The programme also helps businesses earn B-BBEE points while developing youth skills and managing learner placements.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Agricultural organisation expands its Young Farmer of the Year competition
Story 2
Agricultural organisation, TLU SA is expanding its Young Farmer of the Year competition by adding a Youth Farmer of the Year category for primary and high school learners.
Students will complete practical agricultural projects to develop entrepreneurial skills, plan sustainable farms, and create value for their communities.
TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says the project introduces children to sustainable farming and problem-solving, aiming to inspire the next generation of future pioneers in farming:
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Story 2 category
Headline 3
Two Oceans Marathon to award R2.6 million in prizes
Story 3
The Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town will award R2.6 million in prizes this year.
The prize structure for the event taking place in April, is split between the Ultra Marathon and the Half Marathon, with elite male and female winners of the Ultra Marathon each receiving top prizes.
In the Half Marathon, winners will earn a prize money, with payouts across the top 10 and age categories.
Additional prize money has been allocated to top Western Province, South African and team athletes.
Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.79 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,651.07 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 71,597.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Ghana revamps pre-school to make learning fun and accessible
Teaser / Tailpiece story
Ghana is revamping its pre-school system to make early learning more engaging and accessible.
After two decades of mandatory kindergarten, results have fallen short, prompting the reform.
Supported by NGO Lively Minds, the program encourages parents to actively participate while classrooms are redesigned to be interactive and playful, giving children a stronger start for school and beyond.
Split analysis
Local: 0 words (0%), National: 146 words (64%), International: 82 words (36%)