South Africa

Durban - South Africans have been charged to think of novel ways to deal with water shortages not only in their own country, but beyond our borders.

Pretoria - South Africa's economic outlook rating has been revised from negative to stable, a move which has been welcomed by National Treasury.

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma says government will continue with the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme directed at reviving land reform projects and irrigation schemes in the former homelands as well as distressed farms owned by individuals.

Pretoria - Tshwane Emergency Services have called off their search and rescue operation for seven people believed to have been swept away by the flash floods on Monday morning in Centurion.

Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs seems to be steadily overcoming its challenges.

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma today announced several initiatives to boost job creation, including the setting up of a R9 billion jobs fund, as he declared 2011 the "year of job creation".

Pretoria - Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has applauded South African soldiers for peace keeping efforts in Africa, saying they must "walk tall."

Pretoria - There has been a significant decline in the number of escapes, assaults and other forms of attacks at correctional services facilities since the launch of the festive season security campaign six years ago.

Pretoria - The Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority (CDA) are set to launch a national an anti-substance abuse campaign.

Pretoria - The South Gauteng High Court opened its doors on Tuesday after it shut down for more than a month to accommodate construction and renovations at the building.

Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has invited the public to submit their tips on what they would like to see in the National Budget, which he will table next month.

Pretoria - Schools in the coastal provinces will join the rest of the country on Wednesday when thousands of learners are expected to start the 2011 academic year.

Pretoria - With the State of the Nation Address delivered just a day before the 21st anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison, President Jacob Zuma kicked off the address by wishing Mandela a speedy recovery.

Pretoria - The Employment Conditions Commission (ECC) will on Thursday meet to consider inputs collected from the nationwide public hearings on farmworkers' wages.

Pretoria - A newspaper report accusing ministers of being disrespectful towards the media was based on "generalisation" and was unfortunate, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said.