South Africa

While there are challenges in municipalities, local government has had a profound impact on the lives of ordinary South Africans.

The South African economy contracted by a staggering 51% in Quarter 2 of 2020, as the country reeled from the consequences of the COVID-19 enforced lockdown, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke has revealed.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has launched the Teacher Connect application, a free real time based mentorship platform available via WhatsApp.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will on Thursday donate 31 culled cattle to the provincial Department of Social Development as part of its food relief programme.

The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture has extended condolences to the family of popular television actress, Thandeka Mdeliswa, who passed away at the weekend.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille says the department is taking steps to give effect to the report recommendations by the Auditor General into the Beitbridge border fence project.

Eskom says Stage 1 load shedding will only kick in at 16:00 and last until 22:00 on Tuesday.

The number of COVID-19-related deaths has surpassed the 15 000 mark in South Africa.

Small Business Development Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has called on Clicks to commit to tangible corrective action by actively promoting black hair products that are manufactured by black, women, and youth-owned small businesses.

The Department of Employment and Labour on Monday announced that it will continue making the COVID-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) payments until 15 September.

Government has expressed concern at the vandalising and torching of Clicks stores across the country, saying it goes against the spirit of peace and respect for human rights.

Racism cannot be tolerated in South Africa and must be fought with vigour every time it raises its ugly head, says Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.

Given the chance to rewrite a life partly spent in exile and returning to home soil to rise through the public service ranks is something retired Secretary of Defence Dr Sam Gulube would politely decline.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received more than 160 536 applications from students seeking funding for 2021, since the opening date for funding applications on 3 August 2020.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Portfolio Committees on Public Works and Infrastructure and Home Affairs have called for urgent consequence management against wrongdoers implicated in the construction of the Beit Bridge border fence.