South Africa

Pretoria - The Mineral Resources Portfolio Committee will develop a comprehensive plan to address challenges in the mining industry.

Pretoria - Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has released a new policy framework, which aims to end racism and promote integration at tertiary institutions.

Pretoria - The State Owned Entities Communicators Association (SOECA) has welcomed the appointment of Tshediso Matona as Chief Executive Officer of Eskom.

Pretoria - About 6 888 housing units will be built in the 2014/15 financial year in the North West to put decent roofs over the heads of those who live in informal settlements.

Pretoria – The Gauteng MEC for Health, Qedani Mahlangu, says making sweetened soft drinks costly could sway people to drink fresh water -- an important step in the fight against obesity.

Pretoria – A new cellphone based application, MomConnect, is expected to register all pregnant women in the country for a “sms” service which provides information and advice on pregnancy, as well as a channel to notify the department about poor service.

Pretoria - There will be no toll fees charged when the rehabilitation of the 50km dual carriageway is completed on the busy N12 freeway in Gauteng, says MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has sent birthday wishes to Rivonia treason trialist and stalwart of the African National Congress (ANC), Ahmed Kathrada, who turns 85 today.

Pretoria - Government on Thursday once again reassured South Africans that it has no plans to nationalise people’s hard earned pension funds.

Pretoria – The Department of Home Affairs has announced that it will discontinue the issuing of Temporary Passports as from 1 September 2014.

Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe has lauded the launch of the Sexual Offences Court in Bethlehem, in the Free State.

Pretoria – Local municipalities will be awarded for their development of provincial and local greening plans during the National Arbor City Award competition, in September.

Pretoria - Cabinet has welcomed the launch of the Enterprise Development Academy by Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu.

Pretoria – South Africans are encouraged to travel within the country during Tourism Month, in September, says Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe.

Pretoria - Cabinet has approved the ratification of the signed treaty on the Grand Inga Hydropower Project between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for tabling in Parliament.