News Bulletin of 9 May 2026, 10am

The Speaker of Council Cllr Margaret Arnolds recently led a prestigious blazer ceremony at the Constitution Hill, honouring Team South Africa for the upcoming World Schools Debating Championship in Kenya.

The event marked 32 years of democracy while celebrating the excellence of young South Africans that have been selected to represent the nation on the global stage.

The Speaker emphasised the role of debating in shaping ethical and engaged citizens.
She added that debating equips young people with critical thinking and communication skills essential for leadership.

The official distance for this year’s Comrades Marathon Up Run, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, has been confirmed as 85.777km, making this year’s Up Run, the shortest in recent Comrades Marathon history.

The previous shortest race distance was 85.910km in the 2024 Up Run, which started in front of Durban City Hall and finished at the HollywoodBets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg.

Comrades Marathon race director Sue Forge explained that the slight reduction in distance is largely due to route adjustments necessitated by ongoing infrastructure developments.

Forge adds that the route not only provides a slightly shorter distance for runners, but also improves the management of road closures, traffic flow, infrastructure removal and post-race clean-up.

The race will take place on the 14th of June.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande has launched 41 new research chairs, aimed at strengthening research capacity at historically disadvantaged Institutions.

Nzimande says the programme aims to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at South African public universities through establishing research chairs with a long-term investment trajectory of up to 15 years