South Africa

Johannesburg – Metrorail has unveiled a service improvement plan aimed at improving, among other things, train services and infrastructure.

Pretoria - The Board of the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has welcomed the appointment of Minister Dipuo Peters as the new Transport Minister.

Johannesburg – When 70-year-old Sophie Khumalo wrote a letter seeking assistance for her grandson with a disability, she had no idea it would land up in the hands of a Deputy Minister.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on being appointed as the Executive Director of UN Women, an international agency of the United Nations, promoting equality for women.

Johannesburg – The National Treasury says pensioners could get more when they retire if retirement income charges are reduced.

Pretoria - Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel has urged student leaders to become economic development activists.

Pretoria - There will be no load shedding as a result of delays at the Medupi power plant, says Eskom.

Pretoria - National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel has called on South Africans to honour the late struggle stalwart Govan Mbeki by ensuring South Africa succeeds.

Pretoria – The Free State Department of Education says it is pleased with the Constitutional Court judgement on school policies regarding pregnant learners.

Pretoria – After spending more than a month in a critical condition in hospital, former President Nelson Mandela is now responding to treatment, the Presidency says.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has conveyed condolences to Somalia following the death of its ambassador to South Africa, Sayid Sheriff, who died on Wednesday in Pretoria.

Pretoria – Newly appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers to the national executive, announced by President Jacob Zuma yesterday, have been sworn in at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, in Pretoria.

Johannesburg - Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba says the delay in Eskom's Medupi power plant delivering first power at the end of this year is 'disturbing', leading his department to enlist the services of independent consultants to assist the utility going forward.

Roodeport – Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu says she has asked law enforcement agencies to conduct sting operations at several mine dumps to root-out illegal mining.

Pretoria – The Gauteng Department of Social Development says its offer to send a disabled boy to a care facility -- after he and his mother were evicted -- has been turned down by the boy’s mother, saying she prefers to care for him personally.