South Africa

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has released a green paper on the advancement of new energy vehicles in South Africa.

A major part of the dams within the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) have this week seen a decrease in levels, while others have remained unchanged for the second subsequent week, with just one recording an increase.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the prosecution of four senior Eastern Cape Education Department officials and a businessman on charges of fraud and corruption.

The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) has pulled the plug on all contact sports with immediate effect, following COVID-19 cluster outbreaks in public schools.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has welcomed the six life terms handed down to a man who murdered his girlfriend and five children.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says a total of 1 263 671 students have been assessed as eligible for funding.

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe says the department’s interventions have helped ensure that Eskom deals with its energy capacity shortages.

The devastation brought about by COVID-19 and the manner in which South Africa responded to the pandemic has shown how important it is to invest in science to safeguard the nation’s future.

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has announced that R27 billion has been pledged by operators and vendors to usher in 5G fibre technologies in South Africa.

At least 2 357 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in South Africa in the last 24 hours, while 80 more additional deaths were recorded.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says the national defence force deployed more than 8 000 personnel to the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.

To boost the prospects for a strong and sustainable recovery from the impact of COVID-19, African governments need to mobilise significant additional external financing, with the assistance of the international community, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a successful visit to Paris, in France, where he participated in the Summit on the Financing of African Economies hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says the recently launched Finance Link Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP), aimed at assisting persons earning between R3 501 and R22 000 to access home loans, has the potential to change the face of South Africa for low income earners.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says it is all systems go as the country embarks on its second day of the COVID-19 mass vaccination rollout plan.