South Africa

Pretoria - National Treasury has welcomed the Open Budget Index Survey results that put South Africa second out of 100 countries in the transparency of its budget processes.

Pretoria - The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) has made an earnest appeal to regular group O blood donors to donate blood as the stocks have fallen to less than three days' supply.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development is to physically verify all of its employees to validate the number of workers in the department.

Ermelo - Government is to spend over R800 billion on energy infrastructure over the next few years.
The announcement was made by President Jacob Zuma on Saturday at the re-opening of the Camden power station in Mpumalanga.

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe concluded a two-day working visit to Syria with a vow that the two countries will work together in removing all other impediments to trade and investment.

Pretoria - A project which combines a wide range of technologies is expected to improve maternal and newborn health.

Pretoria - The public comments window into the country's long term energy plan, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2010), has been extended to December, the Energy Department said on Friday.

Pretoria – A suspected rhino poacher has been shot dead, while two others were arrested in the Nwanetsi section of the Kruger National Park.

Mbombela - The N4 toll route from Gauteng to Mpumalanga is expected to be heavily congested this weekend.

Elandsbaai - By protecting its wetlands, South Africa will not only be able to conserve its natural resources, but will also create many more jobs, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi, said today.

Pretoria - The Protection of Information Bill will, in all likelihood, not be passed in its present form and will "take new shape" following proposals made to the Adhoc Committee overseeing the drafting of the Bill.

Pretoria - The successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup has done wonders for South Africans' national confidence and the country's image abroad.

Pretoria - South Africa is set to launch a social work exchange programme in partnership with a skills development agency from the United Kingdom on Thursday.

Pretoria - The SA Solar Challenge - a race between solar-powered vehicles - kicked off today at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria.

Pretoria - South Africa and the European Union are set to strengthen relations and address shared bilateral, regional and global interests at the upcoming SA-EU Summit.