News Bulletin of 9 January 2026, 6pm

Nyeleti Lighthouse Launches Mentorship Programme
Nyeleti Lighthouse (NLH) recently launched a young women’s mentorship programme at Meadowlands Multi-Purpose Hall in Soweto, aimed at empowering local women.The event, held in partnership with SewAfrica Fashion College, was dedicated to inspiring and shaping the future of young women in the community.Zakes Manda, founder of NLH, said the organisation focuses on mentorship and learnerships to uplift community members, with this event specifically highlighting support for young women.
Sandton and Gauteng
80-Year-Old Swimmer Breaks Robben Island Record
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.
South Africa
New West Rand Gold Mine to Create Jobs
A new underground gold mine in Johannesburg’s West Rand is expected to create 1 000 jobs and place community partnership at the centre of its operations.Developed by West Wits Mining, Qala Shallows is a modern underground operation designed as a shallow mine, with planned mining activities from Level 2 to a maximum depth of approximately 850 metres. The new mine was officially unveiled in the West of Johannesburg. West Wits Mining CEO, Rudy Deysel..

Sandton and Gauteng
Financial Indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.53 to the US Dollar, 0.00 to the British Pound, and 0.00 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 4,465.83 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at Error per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 90,180.00.
Belarusian Sky Surfer Breaks Everest Record
Belarusian daredevil Olga Naumova has set a new Guinness World Record by sky surfing over Mount Everest. Jumping from a helicopter at 20,945 feet above Nepal, Naumova, who has 15 years of sky surfing experience, completed the highest-altitude sky surf jump in history. She exited the helicopter at 20,945 feet and kept control of her board until deploying her parachute and safely landing at 12,356 feet.
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