News Bulletin of 9 January 2026, 5pm

80-year-old swimmer John Flanigan has made history by completing the iconic Robben Island to Blouberg swim. Cape Town’s unpredictable weather delayed the attempt for weeks, testing his preparation. The Cape Long Distance Swim Association has officially ratified the swim, making him the oldest person ever to complete the challenging route. As the driving force behind the Topaz Swim Buddies, a growing open-water group, Flanigan says his accomplishment has encouraged others to push their own limits.

Athletics South Africa has dispatched a 28-member team to the United States for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, The event will take place tommorow in Tallahassee, Florida, USA .The South Africans will compete against the world’s top distance runners in several races. This includes the senior men’s and women’s 10km events, the U20 men’s 8km, the U20 women’s 6km, and the senior mixed 4x2km relay. Team coach Violet Semenya says the squad has the depth and experience to be competitive, especially in the senior events.

The Zoo Lake Bowls Club is expected to reopen after a fire destroyed its clubhouse in October last year during renovations, with about 65% of the work already completed. The blaze, believed to have started in the kitchen, spread quickly through the wooden structure, causing partial roof collapse. Club owner Divian Cooper said minor repairs have begun, with full reconstruction continuing this year. He added that the clubhouse, a key community hub, will be restored in consultation with members and local residents. Supporters of the club can contribute to the rebuild through the Back a Buddy Campaign.