South Africa

Pretoria - Retail trade figures for the month of March decreased by 5.3 percent compared to 4.4 percent in February, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported on Wednesday.

Mafikeng - The new MEC for Housing in the North West, Desbo Sefanyetso, is committed and looking forward to eradicating informal settlements in the province.

Johannesburg - The youth have been encouraged to use the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a platform to realise their dreams of owning a business.

Johannesburg - The global economic meltdown has dampened the interest of potential sponsors for the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup.

KwaZulu-Natal - The remains of one of the three South African Air Force (SAAF) pilots, who died in a fatal helicopter crash in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, has been retrieved.

Pretoria - Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, today met with the newly appointed National Defence Force Service Commission (NDFSC).

Mafikeng - Farmers in the North West have welcomed the new provincial Department of Agriculture Conservation and Rural Development.

Johannesburg - The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development is expected to resolve all outstanding matters with Nestlé by the end of business on Thursday.

Bhisho - The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is expected to use International Day of Families to highlight the plight of mothers, young girls and child-headed families

Johannesburg - The service providers who are to produce the spectacular 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup opening and closing ceremonies have been announced.

Pretoria - Traditional leaders from Namibia are currently in the country to learn and gain experience from South Africa's National House of Traditional Leaders.

Johannesburg - With exactly a month to kick off for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2010 Local Organising Committee's (LOC) plans are at an advanced stage with safety and security measures all in place.

Johannesburg - Transport Minister, Sibusiso Ndebele, says government will not stop the implementation of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system despite threats on government officials.

Johannesburg - South Africa is all set and ready to deliver a world-class 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, says Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan.

Pretoria - South Africa will continue to build new relations with countries abroad and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in pursuit of a developmental agenda for the continent.