South Africa

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has sent condolences to the family and friends of freedom fighter and academic, Dr Neville Alexander, who passed away at the age of 75.

Cape Town - The percentage of South Africans with a bank account increased from 47% in 2005 to 63% in 2011 after the launch of the first Financial Sector Charter in 2004, said Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan

Pretoria - Discussions around the spike in unsecured lending, global challenges and infrastructure growth formed the crux of the meeting held on Monday between Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the banking industry.

Pretoria - Government has the responsibility to professionalise the public service by upgrading and retaining their skills through technology, says Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

Cape Town - South Africa is a winning nation, the Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula said today during a special joint sitting of Parliament to celebrate South Africa's six medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

Pretoria - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe is on a visit to Slovakia where she will co-chair the 4th session Slovakia- South Africa Joint Council for Economic Cooperation which aims to promote and strengthen trade.

Pretoria - Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has expressed his deepest condolences on the death of internationally acclaimed linguist, academic and struggle veteran, Dr Neville Alexander.

Pretoria - A group of older persons will be lucky enough to spend a day with the country's first citizen on Sunday.

Pretoria - Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has called on unions and workers engaging in strike actions not to abuse their rights - but to embark on protests responsibly.

Cape Town - The development of a single-dose anti-malarial drug by the University of Cape Town (UCT) could help Africa and the world tackle a disease which claims almost a million lives a year, the Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor said on Tuesday.

Pretoria - More than 900 public servants from all government departments will get an opportunity to test themselves for HIV and be screened for other diseases when the Public Service HIV Testing and Counselling (HCT) Intensification Campaign is launched today.

Pretoria - The most important investment any state, particularly those in Africa and the developing world, can make is in education, says President Jacob Zuma

Pretoria - The Department of Labour (DoL) says the Revised Code of Good Practice on HIV and Aids, including tuberculosis, should further safeguard individuals from discrimination in the workplace based on their HIV status.

Pretoria - Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi has expressed satisfaction with the progress being made to fix a sink hole on the Ben Schoeman freeway, south of Jean Avenue in Centurion.

Pretoria - A 2005 vote by South Africa at the International Atomic Energy Agency in a key nuclear proliferation matter was never meant to benefit cellphone giant MTN in its commercial dealings with the government of Iran, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said on Tuesday.