South Africa

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says it would be useful for all South Africans to work even harder to cement the country's non-racial character in all aspects.

Pretoria - The Northern Cape Premier’s Inter-Governmental Forum has welcomed the progress report on the establishment of the new university in the province.

Pretoria - Cabinet says Public Enterprises Minister Brigitte Mabandla had entered into a "level of consultation" with the South African Airways Board on the broad outline of the settlement reached between the board and the national carrier's former CEO Khaya Ngqula.

Pretoria - The South Africa-Switzerland (SA-SWISS) 3rd Annual High Level Consultations (HLC) has further strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries, says International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim.

Pretoria - The South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the conviction of three suspected rhino poachers who appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Monday.

Pretoria - Strategies to improve the nursing profession is expected to be thrashed out during a Nurses Conference in Sandton today.

Pretoria - Famous Cuban revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, and veteran negotiator Cyril Ramaphosa are among the 28 recipients set to receive National Orders on Friday at the Union Buildings.

Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile has paid tribute to jazz musician, Hotep Galeta, saying he will live on through his vibrant music.

Pretoria - The Refugee Amendment Bill, which is expected to streamline the application process for those seeking asylum, has received a majority endorsement from Members of Parliament.

Pretoria - All social grants for the month of April will be paid on time, as a dispute between the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) and three service providers has been resolved, says the Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya.

Pretoria - Free State health officials have put urgent measures in place to improve security at Pelonomi Hospital and other state facilities following the rape of a female doctor.

White River - Government officials have been challenged to do their bit to improve service delivery following the first ever symposium for Internal Audit and Risk officers in Mpumalanga.

Mafikeng - The Rooiground Housing Development Project will begin next week and is expected to provide 1 000 housing units to the families living in the Rooiground informal settlement outside Mafikeng.

Pretoria - Commuters in the Western Cape breathed a sigh of relief as taxis became fully operational by midday today.

Johannesburg - Government is pushing to have a revised paper on the proposed carbon tax ready before the next budget is tabled in February 2012. Officials say the tax could be in force as early as July next year.