South Africa

Pretoria - Business confidence among retailers improved in the third quarter of 2010, says the Bureau for Economic Research (BER).

Musina – The Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site has reopened its gates to the public after being closed for a week due to heavy floods.

Pretoria - Members of the South African National Defence (SANDF) will not be joining the public service strike as this would be against the prescripts of the Constitution and the Defence Act, says the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.

Pretoria - The recent pledge taken by education stakeholders and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to increase the number of artisans in the country, in line with industry needs, will give the country a much needed boost, writes Gabi Khumalo.

Pretoria - A National Co-management Framework and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between government and SANParks will be some of the highlights on the agenda at the Fourth People and Parks Conference, expected to kick off on Sunday.

Pretoria - Vehicle CO2 tax emissions on all double cabs will be implemented as of 1 March 2011, says National Treasury.

Pretoria - In an effort to promote compliance and to get taxpayers to file their returns early, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is to set up help points in several malls.

Pretoria - People receiving antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) and on chronic medication will for the duration of the public service strike be able to collect their medication at any public health facility.

Pretoria - Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu says that operating hours at small health facilities have been extended to deal with the influx of patients during the public servants strike.

Boksburg – Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has urged professional bodies to help nurture young talent and assist the youth to gain skills in their particular professional areas.

Mbombela - The delayed registration of ambulances is the reason behind the shortage of the emergency vehicles in Mpumalanga three years ago.

Komatipoort - The Nkomazi municipality in Mpumalanga will enforce a court interdict to stop people from settling on land given to beneficiaries of a 9 000ha land claim near Komatipoort.

Pretoria - Motorists will be given some relief when the price of petrol decreases next Wednesday.

Tzaneen - More than 4 000 municipal workers are expected to take part in the 2010 Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Games to be held in Tzaneen, Limpopo, later this month.

Pretoria - Education MEC Barbara Creecy says she is deeply worried about this year's matriculants who are only a few weeks away from sitting for their final exams.