South Africa

Johannesburg - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is hoping to attract 1.5 million potential new voters on its voters' roll for the forthcoming municipal elections.

Johannesburg - Young, spunky and fresh are hardly words one would associate with the serious business of elections, but the IEC is confidently venturing into new ground and tapping into the millions of young South Africans who have yet to register to vote.

Pretoria - As grade 12 learners countdown to the final examinations, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will at the weekend attend a prayer service for learners in Bloemfontein.

Pretoria - Government has agreed to the request by labour for an extension in the period of consultation on the wage settlement offer.

Pretoria - North West organisations and individuals, who have made a difference in child and family care, HIV and AIDS, community based care and youth development will be awarded on Friday.

Mbombela - The number of no-fee schools in Mpumalanga has been raised from 952 last year to 1 416 this year in a bid to support parents who lost their jobs during the global recession.

Pretoria - Government is concerned about the shortage of skilled civil engineers and those in related fields to deal with the country's poor road infrastructure.

Cape Town - Minister of Public Service and Administration, Richard Baloyi, today signed an agreement pledging to create an efficient public sector which would help to increase service delivery by government and boost efforts to tackle corruption.

Burgersfort - The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has assured Limpopo farmers and cattle owners that there is no outbreak of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease in the Greater Tubatse area.

Pretoria - Some labour unions representing public servants have signed the wage agreement offer presented by the employer, with the exception of a few still consulting with their members.

Pretoria - The Department of Mineral Resources has refuted claims that Minister Susan Shabangu did not properly consult stakeholders during the review of the Mining Charter.

Pretoria - There is no more space for first year students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) at its Tshwane-based campuses, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Pretoria West.

Durban - President Jacob Zuma's suggestion that an international cricket fixture become an annual event at the Moses Mabhida Stadium has been received with open arms.

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister, Richard Baloyi, has welcomed the appointment of Blake Mosley-Lefatola as the CEO for the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).

Bloemfontein - The Free State farming community is to receive much-needed relief after being severely affected by wild veld fires.