South Africa

Parliament - The Illima/Letsema campaign, which aims to distribute agricultural starter packs to poor households, will receive a further R1.2 billion boost in 2009.

Parliament - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is to receive funding for 30 000 technological advanced barcode scanners to ensure the smooth running of the 2009 General Elections.

Johannesburg - The old house of former South African President Nelson Mandela at Orlando West in Soweto has received a R9 million facelift to meet the standards of a national heritage site.

Parliament - An additional R932 million will be added to the Health Department's HIV and AIDS grant in the coming financial year to extend the screening of pregnant mothers.

Polokwane - Over 120 heavy duty vehicle drivers across South Africa are expected to showcase their driving skills at this year's National Driver of the Year competition.

New York - Strengthened ties between the United Nations (UN) and regional organisations on the African continent is necessary now more than ever.

Parliament - Housing and the eradication of informal settlements remain at the forefront of government's infrastructure investment plans, according to the Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel.

Bloemfontein - The Free State Department of Health on Wednesday received an advance on its 2009/10 budget to the value of R110 million from the provincial Treasury.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has warned that government will not tolerate the destruction of property, violence and intimidation that often accompanies service delivery protests.

Johannesburg - The Gauteng Provincial Department will continue to prioritise the province’s urban and inner city renewal programmes.

Pretoria - Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Dina Pule, visited the Eastern Cape yesterday as part of her provincial visits to communicate the role of the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Department in the Presidency.

Pretoria - The South African Post Office (SOPA) has issued a Presidential stamp to commemorate the dedication made by President Kgalema Motlanthe in the public service.

Pretoria - The South African Football Association (Safa) has appointed Maqsood "Macky" Chenia as the head coach of the national under-20 team, Amajita.

Johannesburg - In line with its vision 2055, Gauteng MEC for Finance Mandla Nkomfe, says the province plans to roll out massive infrastructure programmes - such as building roads, refurbishing schools and hospitals and connecting the people of the province through the broadband initiative.

Pretoria - Wits University graduate Sheenagh Reynolds has been appointed secretary of the Reserve Bank.