South Africa

Polokwane - Farmers who cannot afford to give their workers the newly prescribed 4.5% minimum wage increase may apply to the Labour Department for an exemption.

Pretoria - The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality today dismissed claims made by the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) that the municipality had dismissed seven employees because they were whistle blowers.

Pretoria - A total of 20 taxis were impounded in Gauteng following the implementation of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP) on Friday.

Cape Town - With the government declaring 2011 a year of job creation, President Jacob Zuma on Thursday called for an "inclusive" economy in which the black majority, women, persons with disabilities and the youth participate fully and meaningfully.

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal's elderly citizens have been given special treatment by the provincial government on International Day of Older Persons.

Cape Town - Government is considering a sustainable intervention for the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape, said President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - Dr Cassius Reginald Lubisi will take over as the new Director-General in the Office of the President, effective from 1 November 2010.

Pretoria - A fire onboard the Saframine Nomazwe vessel has been extinguished, while investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said on Thursday.

Pretoria - Pilot projects to encourage self reliance among social grant supporters have been set up in some provinces, said President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, is expected to conclude her official visit to Japan tomorrow, where she had an opportunity to share lessons on water resource management.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has invited India to build further its business relations with South Africa.

Pretoria - There will be further talks on the implementation of the tolling system to be levied on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), with a summit expected to be held next month, Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele said on Thursday.

Pretoria - Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has congratulated Brain Molefe on his appointment to head Transnet.

Pretoria -The Gauteng provincial government has assured the public that measures will be put in place to assist drivers and learners at license testing centres across the province.

Pretoria - Government and a host of different stakeholders have come up with ways to reduce neonatal deaths in Gauteng hospitals.