South Africa

Pretoria - First time voters have heeded the call by the Electoral Commission of South Africa to register to vote in the 2016 Local Government Elections in August.

Port Elizabeth – President Jacob Zuma says more than R17 billon has been unlocked in the economy since the launch of Operation Phakisa: Ocean Economy less than two years ago.

Pretoria - The Ministry of Finance has decided to approve the implementation of an amendment to the import duty on wheat, in accordance with the current variable import duty formula.

Johannesburg – More than 100 informal traders have been empowered with skills to run their businesses efficiently and manage their finances.

Pretoria - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina has welcomed a R400 million investment by Griekwaland-Wes Korporatief (GWK) that will see the company creating 100 new permanent jobs in the Northern Cape.

Pretoria - South Africa regards the Intellectual Property (IP) system as an important policy instrument in promoting innovation, industrial development and economic growth, says Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.

Tsakane – A young entrepreneur, who previously had to pay to access the internet, is now able to do research for his company from the free Wi-Fi that is provided by Ekurhuleni Municipality.

Pretoria - The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will conduct an operation to test water in Senekal in the Free State.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says traditional leaders have an important role to play in nation building in the country.

Pretoria - Residents of KwaZulu-Natal have been urged to use the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) final voter registration weekend to register to vote in the 2016 local government elections.

Pretoria - The Electoral Commission (IEC) has started sending text messages to registered voters for whom no address details are currently available on the voters’ roll.

Pretoria – A new initiative by Home Affairs will enable South Africans to apply online for IDs and passports.

Pretoria – A housing conference, currently taking place, is looking at slum upgrading and prevention, taking lessons from various projects and programmes, including the UN-Habitat’s Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme.

Pretoria - The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has appointed four new councillors who will serve a four-year term in office.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral for liberation struggle stalwart, Clarence Makwetu, says the Presidency.