South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the first batch of the in-demand Johnson & Johnson vaccines against COVID-19 will land in South Africa next week.

In a year where the economy took a huge knock as the COVID-19 pandemic halted production, President Cyril Ramaphosa says defeating the health crisis and rebuilding the economy are among the key priorities for the year ahead.

Government will in 2021 continue to work closely with Eskom on proposals to improve the energy generator’s financial position, manage its debt and reduce its dependence on the fiscus.

Almost a year ago, the Coronavirus pandemic caused havoc - claiming lives and crippling the economy in its wake.

Emotions ran high as President Cyril Ramaphosa, together with the Presiding Officers of Parliament, lit a candle, in honour and remembrance of South Africans who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has authorised the release of the draft National Implementation Framework towards the professionalisation of the public service for public comments.

Advocate Doctor Mashabane has returned to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development following his appointment by Cabinet as the Director-General of the department.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has commended the police investigators who put together solid cases, which led to the hefty sentences handed out to perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

South Africa recorded over 3 000 new COVID-19 cases after logging less than 2 000 infections two days in a row.

Cabinet has welcomed the launch of the Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has handed over a cheque of R337 676.81 to Mhani Gingi Centre for Women and Children based at the Saartjie Baartman Centre in Manenberg, Cape Town to help buy fertiliser for their vegetable gardens.

The National School of Government (NSG) has partnered with the University College London to deliver an executive education programme for senior public sector officials.

Cabinet has reassured citizens that the vaccination programme is still on track after the country halted its rollout plan of AstraZeneca.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has successfully instituted civil litigation in the Special Tribunal to interdict and restrain a former Lepelle Northern Water Chief Executive Officer, Phineas Kgahlisho Legodi.

Despite the water supply storage capacity of the Northern Cape surpassing the 100% mark, the Department of Water and Sanitation has urged South Africans to use water sparingly.