South Africa

Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs will extend operating hours at a number of ports of entry to accommodate the high traveller volumes expected over the Easter period.

Pretoria - New generators installed at various primary health care clinics in Orange Farm and Soweto are expected to curb disruptions and allow health practitioners to carry out their work, in the event of power outages.

Pretoria - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and the Chief Executive Officers of leading healthcare companies in South Africa have signed a social compact agreement aimed at, among other things, addressing the shortage of medical doctors and fighting the scourge of TB, HIV and Aids.

Pretoria - Investment in youth programmes is a necessity for South Africa, says Deputy Minister for Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Obed Bapela.

Cape Town - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has called on mining houses to change their conditions of employment to enable miners to visit their homes and see their families more often.

Pretoria - The number of rhinos poached in South Africa since the beginning of the year now stands at 281, with a total of 176 arrests being made in connection with the activity.

Cape Town - The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, says more opportunities need to be made available to empower the millions of young South Africans who are unemployed.

Pretoria - Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor has congratulated Home Affairs Deputy Director-General for Information Services, Sello Mmakau, who has been named the Visionary Chief Information Officer (CIO) for 2012.

Pretoria - National Treasury has set up a system to track government departments' compliance with the provision of paying service providers within the 30-day period as stipulated in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

Cape Town - The launch of a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory in Cape Town, by the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa today, is to help police to fight crime more smartly.

Pretoria - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the judgment handed down by the British High Court concerning the extradition appeal of Shrien Dewani.

Pretoria - Acting Public Service and Administration Minister Mildred Oliphant today told Parliament that the department would be intensifying the capacity of the Public Service Anti-Corruption Unit (PSACU).

Cape Town - Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi has called on officials in the department to play a crucial role in the turnaround strategy which is set to bring about significant changes in how the department conducts its business.

Pretoria - Today, South Africa and the world come together to celebrate world icon and former President Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday, as well as the ideals he stands for.

Cape Town - South Africa must boost support and funding for research and innovation if it is to compete with fellow developing countries, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said on Tuesday.