South Africa

Pretoria - South Africa's unemployment rate fell to 23.9% in the fourth quarter of 2011, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Tuesday.

President Jacob Zuma has encouraged communities to use land more effectively to fight hunger and poverty.

Pretoria - The North West Department of Health has terminated the contract of a company which provides security services at a number of health facilities within the Ramotshene Moiloa Sub-District.

Pretoria- Vehicle sales in November improved by 11.7% to reach 49 499 vehicles sold, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (NAAMSA) said.

Pretoria - Nearly R10 million has been paid so far by the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development in two medical negligence cases.

Durban - The mood of the COP17 negotiations so far indicates optimism towards achieving a successful outcome, says President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - A R129 million agreement which is expected to improve the country's skills development was announced on Friday by Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant.

Cape Town - Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has issued a stern warning to motorists who disregard traffic regulations and cause the death of innocent people.

Durban - South Africa has carried forward Cancun's recognition of local government's role in climate change by hosting a three-day meeting to develop adaptation strategies.

Inmates set to benefit from special remissions of sentence, announced by President Jacob Zuma on Freedom Day, have been urged to make the most of the second chance they are being given.

Pretoria - A Presidential Proclamation has formalised an inquiry that will see Eskom and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) cooperating in rooting out possible corruption at the power parastatal.

Pretoria - Excitement around the Parliamentary precinct is building ahead of President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address tomorrow evening.

Durban - The first week of the annual UN climate change summit is usually a relatively sedate affair and COP17 in Durban has certainly not been an exception.

South Africans from all walks of life gathered today at the Union Buildings, 18 years after the first democratic elections were held in South Africa, to reflect on what Freedom Day means to them and what it should mean for future generations.

Pretoria - Motorists have been given an early Christmas present in the form of a petrol price decrease.