Features

Johannesburg - South Africa, along with Lesotho and Swaziland, has been applauded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for achieving a polio-free status.

Pretoria - In line with government's focus on rural development, traditional leaders can play a major role in the fight against poverty and hunger, among others, says Limpopo Premier, Cassel Mathale.

Ngqamakhwe - The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has sponsored the reigning National Female Farmer of the Year, Bongiwe Kali, with a hatchery worth R3 million.

Parliament - Home Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has praised Bafana Bafana's performance in the FIFA Confederations Cup, despite their heart-breaking 1-nil loss to Brazil on Thursday.

Limpopo - The Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders has received and approved 325 applications to open initiation schools this year.

Mthatha - Eskom has reassured residents in the Eastern Cape that technicians have been on high alert responding to all power interruptions caused by bad weather conditions.

Pretoria - South Africa is weathering the global recession quite well compared to other countries and political risk has eased since April's smooth transfer of power to the new administration, says global rating agency Fitch.

Pretoria - Government intends to increase no-fee schools by at least 60 percent this financial year, says Minister for Basic Education Angie Motshekga.

Pretoria - In an effort to reduce the number of fires during the winter period, the Tshwane Community Safety Department launched a Basic Emergency Safety and Fire Education (BESAFE) centre in Soshanguve, Kopanong Section.

Nelspruit - The Mpumalanga government has committed itself to creating more than 31 000 job opportunities by the end of the year.

Nelspruit - A technical committee has been established to investigate residents' concerns relating to lack of service delivery at the Dipaleseng Local Municipality in Mpumalanga.

Johannesburg - Brazilian striker, Kaka, was named this year's recipient of the converted 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball award.

Pretoria - The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says South Africa is currently experiencing widespread community transmission of H1N1 pandemic influenza, with the number of deaths having increased to 27

Nelspruit - Mpumalanga Premier, David Mabuza, has pledged to improve the level of management and governance in the provincial Departments of Health and Education as well as unity in the province.

Johannesburg - Around 584 894 people turned up for this year's FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa, according to statistics released by the world football governing body on Monday.