South Africa

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says it has begun with double payments for the outstanding R350 grant for June and July.

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (Afdb) has approved a loan of approximately R5 billion ($288 million) to the government of South Africa, as the country battles one of the largest COVID-19 caseloads in the world.

South Africa reported the highest death toll in a single day, with 572 people dying of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has congratulated Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng on her appointment as the Special Rapporteur for Health at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR).

Eskom has suspended operations in parts of Kraaifontein and Wesbank (Delft) due to protest action.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, says the department has forged partnerships that will see it rolling out free sanitary products to vulnerable women and girls in poor communities.

Work is being done to ensure that independent candidates can contest national and municipal elections, says Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the first roll-out of the General Education Certificate (GEC) is scheduled for 2023.

Basic Education Minster Angie Motshekga says government is putting the final touches on the coding and robotics curriculum developed for Grades R-9, which is due for completion by the end of July.

The Higher Education, Science and Innovation Ministry is to make a substantial investment in the infrastructure and teaching resources of the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

Deputy President David Mabuza has rescheduled his Parliament appearances due to ill health.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has shot down calls for the Eastern Cape Health Department to be placed under administration.

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi has announced that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will provide R104 million to Productivity SA to support some 6 000 SMEs to improve productivity to preserve and create jobs.

Tourism Minister Mmamokolo Kubayi-Ngubane says the department is finalizing the country’s tourism recovery plan with a view of submitting it to Cabinet next month.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has donated over 3 000 masks to disadvantaged schools, orphanages and old age homes in Hammanskraal, Tshwane.