South Africa

Pretoria - The Department of Defence and Military Veterans is looking at innovative ways to deal with the critical skills shortage in some of its wings.

Cape Town - Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe says his department plans to conduct an annual survey of victims of crime in a bid to build a more effective and caring criminal justice system.

Johannesburg - The South African tourism industry is standing in wait to cash in on the 2010 FIFA World Cup which will be held for the first time in Africa.

Johannesburg - Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has commissioned Grant Thornton to investigate allegations that some accommodation providers are hiking prices excessively for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Pretoria - Higher Education South Africa (HESA) has condemned students who engaged in violent protests to voice their demands for free education in public higher education institutions.

17 February 2010

Honourable Speaker
It is my privilege to present the first budget of the administration of President Zuma to this House.
Last week we had the special honour of hosting former President Mandela in Parliament. He exuded his inimitable magic. He reminded us of what we have achieved in our struggle for freedom and in our democratic journey. He reminded us that South Africans are capable of extraordinary things. We are, as you also reminded us, Mr President, an extraordinary people.

Mahikeng - The North West province has partnered with The Netherlands with the aim of teaching farmers technical, business and management skills to run a farm success fully.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is today wrapping up his state visit to Britain where he clarified government's position on the nationalisation of mines and allayed fears about security during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Komatipoort - The determination of an 18-year-old orphan from Mpumalanga to selflessly care for her three younger siblings has inspired her community to build the family a house.

Pretoria - Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, will later today meet with examination quality assurance body, Umalusi, to discuss the expected delays in the release of Mpumalanga's matric results.

Pretoria - The Minister of Women, Children, Youth and People with Disabilities, has called for an end to the projection of negative and degrading images of women in the media.

Pretoria - Last year's matrics will on Thursday have various options in finding out if they have passed all their examinations when the 2009 matric results are officially released.

Cape Town - Cash-based businesses that avoid making VAT payments are among those entities and individuals that government aims to target in a bid to reduce tax avoidance and tax restructuring.

Pretoria - Local and international media have reported that Prince William and Kate Middleton are engaged and are to marry next year - leaving many admirers of the young prince a little depressed.

Pretoria - Taxi operators have threatened to shut down all modes of public transport in the country if government fails to cancel the implementation of the points demerit system.