News Bulletin of 9 March 2026, 6pm

Headline 1
Shinchonji Volunteers Bring Free Healthcare to Randburg
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Randburg residents received free health services and the opportunity to donate blood on March 7, in an event organised by Shinchonji Volunteers with the South African National Blood Service and the Department of Health.
The event offered HIV tests, blood pressure and iron level screenings, while Pick n Pay provided water, fruit, and snacks for donors.
Co-ordinator Grace Peta said the initiative aimed to address shortages of blood donations and limited access to basic healthcare in the community. Most attendees were elderly residents.
Phindulo Mulaudzi, one of the donors, said her decision to give blood was inspired by her mother’s hospital experience, highlighting the critical role of blood donations.
Story 1 category
Headline 2
Generous Donation Boosts Knysna Animal Welfare
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Story Two
Knysna-based animal welfare groups, Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) and CX Township Animals in Need, received a new outreach vehicle from supporter Julie Virks in honour of her late brother, David Abery.
The vehicle has already helped transport dogs to care facilities in Cape Town, deliver lifesaving blood for a dog, rescue baby bunnies, and collect animals for sterilisation at local vets. Volunteers say it has expanded their ability to reach animals in need across Knysna and the surrounding townships.
KAWS has served the Knysna area for over 75 years, while CX Township Animals supports pets in township communities, run entirely by volunteers.
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Headline 3
University of Pretoria Tops National Creative Research Rankings
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The University of Pretoria has, for the first time, secured the top national position in South Africa in the 2024 Department of Higher Education and Training Creative Research Outputs evaluation.
UP was praised for consistent, high-quality submissions across music, fine arts, design, and other creative fields. In music, it ranked first nationally, while in fine arts it placed fifth.
Professor Sunil Maharaj said the achievement shows that investment in the creative arts strengthens the University’s national competitiveness.
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Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 16.55 to the US Dollar, 22.21 to the British Pound, and 19.22 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 5,094.38 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 92.69 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 69,080.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
Doctor Adopts Boy Who Arrived Alone for Heart Surgery
Teaser / Tailpiece story
A pediatric anesthesiologist in Nebraska has adopted a young boy she first met when he arrived alone for heart surgery.
Dr Amy Beethe treated four year old True Beethe at Children’s Nebraska after he was brought in for a procedure linked to a congenital heart condition while in foster care.
After learning more about his situation, Beethe and her husband later adopted the boy and his sister. The couple also helped ensure his four other siblings were adopted by families close by so they could stay connected.
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Local: 213 words (73%), National: 77 words (27%), International: 0 words (0%)