South Africa

Pretoria - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Xstrata South Africa have reached an agreement regarding Xstrata's Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Cape Town - Government, business, labour and communities are to "pull every lever" to lessen the impact of the global economic crisis on the people of South Africa, says Eskom Chairperson Bobby Godsell.

Pretoria - The South African National Parks (SANParks) Wild Card programme, which allows nature lovers to have unlimited access to some of Southern Africa's premier conservation areas, has been overhauled and members should be receiving their new cards by the end of the year.

Pretoria - Government is still committed to the implementation of Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO), says Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele.

Pretoria - He's only been in charge of the side for less than two years but Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac says he is ready to take the Black Stars to the second round of this year's FIFA World Cup.

Pretoria - The unfavourable economic situation is likely to dictate Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on Tuesday.

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has called on the Pan African Parliament (PAP) to move with speed in ensuring that its deliberations strengthen the promotion of peace, development, democracy and economic growth.

Pretoria - The Department of Energy is working to find solutions to alleviate the current Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPGas) shortage.

Pretoria - Business confidence continued to decline in October, falling more than what was anticipated, said the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI).

Johannesburg - The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) says the proposed National Planning Commission must not "overshadow" the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).

Pretoria – There has been a decline in malaria cases in Limpopo with 848 cases notified during the period of April 2012 to February 2013, compared to 2 991 malaria cases notified during the previous year.

Pretoria - There is a need for consumers to be taught more about their consumer rights and the Consumer Protection Act, says Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission Trevor Manuel.

Cape Town - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that the days of using "conflicting and controversial data" in his department are over.

Pretoria - Preliminary reports have indicated that Day One of the matric exams have gone smoothly without any hassles countrywide.

Pretoria - The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has confirmed the occurrence of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in cattle at a Kakamas farm near Upington.