South Africa

Pretoria - The Ministry for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation has dismissed as false media reports that the Presidential Hotline might be closed.

Pretoria - A Tshwane Emergency Services fire fighter died during a rescue operation in flooded Centurion earlier today.

Cape Town - Government will be stepping up its fight against HIV and Aids by promoting various prevention measures, including medical male circumcision and prevention of mother to child infections, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says government will focus this year on the three "Ts" - teachers, textbooks and time.

Mookgopong - Government has recommended that a national state of disaster be declared covering seven provinces and 28 municipalities following the recent floods in the country.

Pretoria - Energy security is important if South Africa is to create jobs and avoid power cuts, says President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is to host his Ugandan counterpart, President Yoweri Museveni, in a state visit scheduled for Friday.

Pretoria - Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications will begin interviewing candidates shortlisted for the four vacancies on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board today.

Durban - South Africans have been charged to think of novel ways to deal with water shortages not only in their own country, but beyond our borders.

Pretoria - South Africa's economic outlook rating has been revised from negative to stable, a move which has been welcomed by National Treasury.

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma says government will continue with the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme directed at reviving land reform projects and irrigation schemes in the former homelands as well as distressed farms owned by individuals.

Pretoria - Tshwane Emergency Services have called off their search and rescue operation for seven people believed to have been swept away by the flash floods on Monday morning in Centurion.

Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs seems to be steadily overcoming its challenges.

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma today announced several initiatives to boost job creation, including the setting up of a R9 billion jobs fund, as he declared 2011 the "year of job creation".

Pretoria - Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has applauded South African soldiers for peace keeping efforts in Africa, saying they must "walk tall."