South Africa

Pretoria - Minister of Home Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is proud of gold-medallist Caster Semenya for triumphing despite the controversy surrounding her gender.

Pretoria - The Department of Social Development says a recent newspaper report alleging that government was collaborating with a political party to provide the poor with food parcels to get votes, was false.

Pretoria - While traditional international partners remain important for Africa's economic development, Southern African countries need to engage more "proactively" with emerging economies of the south, says President Jacob Zuma.

Johannesburg - Civil society has a critical role to play in fostering an environment that promotes and protects health rights, says Deputy Health Minister Gwen Ramakgopa.

Mafikeng - South Africa's freedom is diminished as long as women remain outside the mainstream of its economy, says North West MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng.

Johannesburg - Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana has urged South Africans to take advantage of the infrastructure and economic legacy that will be left after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Joblessness, illiteracy, lack of skills, poverty and lack of access to water and electricity: These are just some of the grim realities facing young rural people today.

Pretoria – As the consumption of the dangerous concoction known on the streets as nyaope, continues to wreak havoc in communities, authorities in South Africa’s most populous province are turning their collective attention towards getting the newcomer on the dealer’s block officially classified as an illegal drug.

Pretoria - Cabinet has extended the contract of the Government Spokesperson Themba Maseko for a further three years.

Polokwane - A Limpopo MEC is taking a week out of his schedule to visit employees around the province to find out how service delivery can be improved.

Polokwane - Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will on Friday launch a 2010 Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Polokwane that will ensure tourists arriving in the city for the 2010 FIFA World Cup get the best advice and information.

Dar-es-Salaam - Africa's population has reached 1 billion as the continent's population grows by about 24 million a year, says a report.

Pretoria - Learners and teachers at Ingqayizivele Secondary School in Tembisa have made a commitment to promote and protect the lives of other human beings as prescribed in the Bill of Responsibilities.

Pretoria - Transformation in the workplace remains slow and still has a long way to go before it reflects South Africa's demographics, says Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana.

Pretoria - The Auditor General (AG) has given the Department of Water Affairs its first unqualified audit report in four years.