South Africa

Pretoria - South Africa is to sign a memorandum aimed at curbing rhino poaching with the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, officials said on Friday.

Soweto - With only six months to go before the country marks the 20th anniversary of freedom and democracy, South Africans from different walks of life have been called on to unite and take part in activities that promote a common consciousness.

Pretoria - The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Riah Phiyega, says she is aware of allegations that a case of defeating the ends of justice has been opened against her in the Western Cape.

Batlharos - Government has made available R2 billion to support Fetsa Tlala (End Hunger), government’s Integrated Food Production Initiative aimed at producing enough food to meet the population’s needs.

Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has officially launched the festive season operation, When Duty Calls, with a vow to combat serious crimes and adopt a zero tolerance approach.

Manyeding – The Manyeding Agricultural Co-operative project is successfully winning the fight against poverty and food shortages in the villages east of Kuruman, in the Northern Cape.

Cape Town – The Mozambican government has not asked the South African government for help after the outbreak of violence there this week, the Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane, said today.

Pretoria – As South Africa joins the international community in observing World Polio Day, Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo has urged parents to immunise their children against polio and other vaccine preventable diseases.

Mbombela - Municipalities and their residents will soon know how much water they've used or wasted.

Pretoria - Eskom’s Kusile power station has been named as a finalist in the 2013 Be Inspired Awards for its innovative use of a virtual 3D plant simulator, the power parastatal said on Wednesday.

Nairobi - The African Union (AU) and Kenya have formally asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to defer the trials of Kenya’s president and deputy president at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for one year.

Pretoria - Government has condemned the disruption of schooling during protests, and has called on all South Africans to unite in protecting children’s right to education.

Cape Town – MPs welcomed new cost-cutting measures announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan today, which will affect ministers, MECs and executives in municipalities aimed at reducing wasteful expenditure.

Medium Term Budget Policy Statement 2013 - Speech by Pravin Gordhan Minister of Finance

Pretoria - South Africa and Niger have recommitted to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as working together to promote peace and stability in Africa.