South Africa

Midrand - In what has been described as a historic day for the country, South Africa launched its national space agency on Thursday.

Pretoria - The country has a new slogan which has been approved by Cabinet.

Pretoria - Cabinet has decided to lodge an appeal against the state in the matter between SANDU and the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu, Collins Chabane the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation said.

Cape Town - South Africa is in a welcomed economic position, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, said in his Budget Speech on Wednesday, as he unveiled a budget of R979.3 billion.

Cape Town - The burgeoning economic growth of Africa and the Bric countries represent an "epoch-changing" shift in the global economy and an opportunity for South Africa, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan said in his Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday.

Cape Town - The government and state-owned enterprises will spend more than R800 billion over the next three years on new power stations, road networks, dams and water supply pipelines, rail and ports facilities, schools, hospitals and government buildings, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan has revealed in his Budget Speech.

Pretoria - Abused women and children now have one more place to turn to, with the Tshwane One Stop Safe House officially opening its doors to those in need today.

Cape Town - Government has set aside over R8 billion from the Health Department's budget of R113 billion towards boosting hospital facilities that will see the phasing in of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHI).

Cape Town - Banks could be in for a tougher time when it comes to the fees they charge businesses and individuals, with the National Treasury's proposal to broaden the mandate of the Financial Services Board (FSB) to include regulation of market conduct by banks.

Cape Town - Government will continue to assist the Reserve Bank to accumulate foreign exchange reserves and engage in foreign currency swaps to moderate the effect of capital inflows on the exchange rate, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan revealed today.

Mbombela - Mpumalanga's MEC of Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, wants a task team to investigate the recent rape of an 11-year-old girl who was walking to school.

Johannesburg - Transnet is to commission the first of its multibillion rand fuel pipelines and is ready to operate some of its inland pipelines in the greater Gauteng area.

Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced increases in excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

Cape Town - Those who rake in gambling winnings of over R25 000, including payouts from the National Lottery, will from next year have to pay a 15 percent withholding tax, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan announced in his Budget Speech on Wednesday.

Pretoria - It's just a pity that you cannot satisfy everyone, but for me the government is doing more than enough to take care of us. These were the words of an elated young mother, Lindiwe Makua, 22, from Mamelodi after hearing the news that the child support grant will be increased in April.