South Africa

Pretoria - Global mining, oil and gas company, BHP Billiton on Tuesday donated R18 million towards South Africa's Government Disaster Fund.

Pretoria - The South African government is hoping to increase the number of smallholding farmers and black commercial farmers in the next five years to reduce the growing food security challenges currently facing the country.

Pretoria - Three TB hospitals in Gauteng have been closed to channel resources to where they are needed most.

Pretoria - Finance Minster Pravin Gordhan is calling on South Africans to send in their budget tips ahead of his address in February.

Pretoria - The Department of Correctional Services has set the ball rolling to improve its financial management following eight years of qualified reports.

Pretoria - A KwaZulu-Natal senior health official is expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court today following his arrest on Monday for fraud and corruption charges.

Pretoria - Communications Minister Roy Padayachie has thanked outgoing SABC Group CEO Solly Mokoetle for his contribution to the public broadcaster, but added that the time had come for the latter to stabilise.

Pretoria - The SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) will today be meeting with the Road Freight Association (RFA) in a bid to resolve the wage dispute which has resulted in truck drivers embarking on a nationwide strike.

Pretoria - More than 350 illegal immigrants, believed to have been smuggled into the country by syndicates, were arrested in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Pretoria - A challenge has been put to Ekurhuleni residents and government to play an active role in preserving the environment.

Pretoria - The ongoing strike by Metrobus drivers in Johannesburg does not look likely to end soon as talks reached a deadlock yesterday.

Pretoria - Honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani failed to turn up for his extradition hearing at a London court because he was ill.

Pretoria - Social welfare organisations have been invited to submit applications for Lotto funding in the charities sector before 25 March 2011.

Pretoria - Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana will on Friday address the UN Committee on South Africa's efforts to eradicate all forms of discrimination against women in the country.

Pretoria - The private sector has extended a helping hand towards flood relief in South Africa - a move that has been welcomed and encouraged by government.