South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent messages of condolence to Algeria and Western Sahara following a military plane crash near Algeria’s capital, Algiers, on Wednesday.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies is in Namibia where he will attend the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Council of Ministers meeting that gets underway today.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will host the BRICS heads customs authority meeting in Durban next week.

Government has thanked South Africans for participating in the official memorial service at the Orlando Stadium in remembering and celebrating the life of struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Family, friends, government officials, the diplomatic corps and ordinary South Africans came in their numbers on Wednesday to bid the woman who became known as the face of the South African liberation movement, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, goodbye in song and praise.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that South African citizen, Justin Van Pletzen, is detained in Dubai.

“I’ll make you famous when I’m dead,” said the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to her Personal Assistant (PA).

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has extended her condolences to the family and relatives of the late former Ambassador and Minister, Dr Zola Skweyiya.

Speaker after speaker at Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's official memorial service have paid homage to her unrelenting fighting spirit, which earned her the title of Mother of the Nation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing away of Zola Skweyiya, a former Cabinet Minister and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

The North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agriculture has developed a plan of action to contain any possible Fall Army Worm (FAW) outbreak.

Western Cape MEC for Education, Debbie Schäfer, has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family of the Middelpos Primary School teacher who was shot and killed on Wednesday morning.

Brand South Africa CEO, Dr Kingsley Makhubela, has encouraged South Africans to reflect on the freedom, privileges and rights that the nation enjoys as a result of the sacrifices made by leaders who have recently passed away.

Former Minister Zola Skweyiya has passed away, shortly before what would have been his 76th birthday on 14 April.

Government has congratulated Team South Africa for flying the flag high at the Commonwealth Games.