South Africa

Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile has paid tribute to jazz musician, Hotep Galeta, saying he will live on through his vibrant music.

Pretoria - The Refugee Amendment Bill, which is expected to streamline the application process for those seeking asylum, has received a majority endorsement from Members of Parliament.

Pretoria - All social grants for the month of April will be paid on time, as a dispute between the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) and three service providers has been resolved, says the Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya.

Pretoria - Free State health officials have put urgent measures in place to improve security at Pelonomi Hospital and other state facilities following the rape of a female doctor.

White River - Government officials have been challenged to do their bit to improve service delivery following the first ever symposium for Internal Audit and Risk officers in Mpumalanga.

Mafikeng - The Rooiground Housing Development Project will begin next week and is expected to provide 1 000 housing units to the families living in the Rooiground informal settlement outside Mafikeng.

Pretoria - Commuters in the Western Cape breathed a sigh of relief as taxis became fully operational by midday today.

Johannesburg - Government is pushing to have a revised paper on the proposed carbon tax ready before the next budget is tabled in February 2012. Officials say the tax could be in force as early as July next year.

Cape Town - South Africa, with its African partners on board, is drumming up international support at various fora to win the bid to host the world's biggest radio telescope - the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Pretoria - The police reservist policy is currently being reviewed with the aim of improving the management of reservists and changing selection criteria, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said.

Mafikeng - As the country's General Elections draws closer, first time voters in the North West are excited and busy educating themselves about the electoral processes and which parties to vote for.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has declared 18 May - the day of Local Government Elections - as a public holiday.

Pretoria - Delegates at the substance abuse summit are urging for a more coordinated approach against alcohol and substance abuse in South Africa.

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane says public health nurses must decide whether their loyalties lie with serving state hospitals, or making extra cash by taking on additional jobs, which is often referred to as moonlighting.

Pretoria - The Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel has welcomed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board's approval of a major overhaul of the IMF's lending framework.