South Africa

Soweto - It was a different sort of work day on Friday for the thousands of police officers who daily put their lives on the line.

Pretoria - Access and the participation of women and girls in the field of science and technology will be the focus of this year's United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is set to deliver the 2011 national budget this week, with business looking forward to a speech which will boost business confidence following a global recession.

Pretoria - Messages of relief have started trickling in on Friday afternoon after news that former president Nelson Mandela was discharged from a Johannesburg hospital after recovering from an acute respiratory infection.

Pretoria - Crime fighting initiatives in the country's rural areas have been given a major boost, with police getting more than 1 000 vehicles to carry out their duties.

Pretoria - Municipal workers belonging to the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Johannesburg have downed tools in solidarity with striking Metrobus drivers.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has commended South African soldiers for continuing to display the military discipline and dedication required from those in the service.

Pretoria - The marking of the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate examination papers for 2010 has been successfully completed on schedule.

Pretoria - The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department has cancelled contracts with six private companies who were providing security services in clinics and hospitals in a move aimed at improving the safety of patients and staff as well as government property.

Pretoria - The new chairperson and deputy chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders have been announced by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka.

Johannesburg - Gauteng will this year pay special attention towards the preservation of heritage sites and building monuments to commemorate those who played a meaningful role towards the liberation of the country.

Johannesburg - Unemployed Gauteng residents will soon benefit from the creation of thousands of job opportunities through various roads, construction and small industries programmes.

Johannesburg - By this time next year, the Gauteng Provincial Government would have finalised its Green Economy Plan, ensuring that the largest regional economy in South Africa contributes to the manufacturing of green products and the waste sector.

Pretoria - Former President Nelson Mandela, who was discharged from Milpark hospital on Friday, is in "good spirits" and resting at home, a statement released by the Presidency said on Saturday.

The Acting President, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe visited Former President Nelson Mandela at his Houghton home at midday today, 29 January 2011.