South Africa

Pretoria - Things are set to change for the homeless in the North West, as provincial government has set aside R23 million to help get them into decent homes.

Mbombela - Sporting activities in the province are expected to get a boost after a R1.5 million cheque was handed over to the Mpumalanga Sport Confederation (MSC).

Cape Town - South Africa is relying less on imports of dairy products and red meat, while maize stocks were up 33 percent, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Pettersson said on Wednesdsay.

Mbombela - The Mbombela local municipality in Mpumalanga has obtained a temporary court order to prevent striking South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) workers from trashing streets, intimidating municipal workers or damaging municipal property.

Pretoria - With less than three months before the international climate summit in Durban, government has called on all sectors of society to help intensify the country's communication on climate change and its impact on the developing world.

Pretoria - The Nelson Mandela Foundation has extended its condolences to the family and friends of anti-apartheid activist Arthur Goldreich, who died on Tuesday.

Durban - A number of jobs and business opportunities will arise as government continues to design implementation programmes that favour renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Pretoria - As South Africa faced pressure in some global markets, more needed to be done to promote domestic tourism, Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said today.

Cape Town - As winter fades out and spring blooms, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba has thanked all South Africans for saving electricity in winter when the demand was the highest.

Pretoria - The South African government has clarified its position on the proposed resolution at the UN Security Council to unfreeze $1.5 billion in Libyan assets for urgent humanitarian needs.

Pretoria - With only a few weeks left before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand, Cabinet says the Springboks need the entire nation to stand behind them in their quest to defend the world title.

East London - The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has chosen current Amathole District Municipality speaker Zukiswa Ncitha as the mayor-elect of the recently created Buffalo City Metro.

Pretoria - Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, says SADC member states should put in place robust laws to effectively prosecute pirates.

Pretoria - The Department of Environmental Affairs was today presented with the Shining World Compassion Award from the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in recognition of its efforts to protect seals.

Cape Town - Political parties on Wednesday reflected on the recent economic growth of Africa, but cautioned that the continent needed effective leaders and governance organisations to ensure freedom and growth were enjoyed by all on the continent.