South Africa

Pretoria- The economic crisis occurs under very upbeat circumstances for Africa said President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - The National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) seeks to increase tourism's total direct and indirect contribution to the economy to R499 billion by 2020 said Tourism Deputy Minister Tokozile Xasa.

Olivenhoutbosch - Gauteng Education MEC Barbara Creecy has called on parents to deepen their participation in school governance by participating in the school governing body elections that will take place this year.

Ga-Kgapane - Deputy Rural Development and Land Reform Minister, Lechesa Tsenoli, has warned
communities receiving land claim compensation to invest their money in important things like their children's education and be careful of opportunists wanting to take advantage of them.

Pretoria - Government continues to explore ways to curb the increasing killing of rhinos in South Africa, including the possibility of dehorning the animals, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Sunday.

Pretoria - Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has welcomed the decision by SANRAL to postpone the start of the Gauteng e-tolling system as a "sensible and necessary step".

Pretoria - The Presidency has announced that the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Enoch Godongwana, has resigned from his position to pursue personal interests.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has sent his condolences to the Mandela family in the Eastern Cape following news of the death of former President Nelson Mandela's younger sister, Makhulu Nothusile Bhulehluthi Mandela, on Saturday night.

Los Angeles - George Clooney, Michelle Williams and Meryl Streep are the early winners at the 69th Golden Globe Awards held Sunday evening at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles.

Pretoria - Metrorail has beefed up its security strategy to effectively deal with the activities of rail services vandalism.

Pretoria - About eight South Africans are recovering at a hotel in Italy after what began as a luxury cruise holiday turned into a nightmare.

Pretoria - Home Affairs Deputy Minister Fatima Chohan has encouraged learners to apply for identity documents during her visit to two Cape Town schools on Monday.

Pretoria - Preliminary figures for the 2011/2012 festive season road death toll report show a decrease in road fatalities compared to the previous festive season's report.

Pretoria - Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk is currently on a two-day visit to India to promote South Africa as a tourism destination and highlight the potential and importance of India as a source market for tourism to South Africa.

Pretoria - Several government departments have come under fire in a report by Auditor-General Terrence Nombembe which found a series of irregularities, poor financial controls and reporting by departments.