South Africa

Pretoria - Despite the challenges facing education in the country, the Department of Basic Education has managed to scoop two Public Sector Excellence Awards.

Pretoria - The South African government did not refuse to grant the Dalai Lama a visa, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has clarified.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says South Africa's foreign policy will always be guided by the values of Ubuntu and commitments to mutually beneficial partnerships with Africa and other countries of the world.

Cape Town - South Africa might be an ailing patient - weighed down by high unemployment and a poor education system - but its problems were in no way terminal, the Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning, Trevor Manuel, said on Thursday.

Pretoria - Poor governance systems and strained relations with government are some of the issues being addressed to help get the traditional affairs house in order.

Pretoria - Telecommunications company Telkom has permanently increased the monthly allowance on data caps at no extra charge.

Pretoria - With the aim of educating young people about the 1976 uprising and Soweto historical sites which form part of the country's rich history, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will take 250 young people on educational tours around Soweto.

Pretoria - The Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss Casino Enterprises' appeal, which trades as Piggs Peak, is affirmation of South Africa's stringent laws on regulating the gambling sector, said the National Gambling Board (NGB).

Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs has apologised to a 70-year-old woman who, when trying to apply for an ID, was told to bring her parents to prove her nationality.

Pretoria - Business confidence was marginally down to 98.4 points in September, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said.

Pretoria - The Ministry of Police has noted and welcomed today's decision by the Constitutional Court that police officers employed under the SAPS Act are not allowed to engage in industrial action.

Pretoria - The recent severe weather conditions across the country has led to the temporary closure of 41 schools in the Western Cape.

Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs aims to attract about 50 000 skilled migrants to the country in the coming years.

Pretoria - A mother of the nation, heroine and dignified leader of the struggle against apartheid. These are some of the words used to describe the late Albertina Sisulu during an official memorial service held for her in Pretoria on Thursday.

Mbombela - The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is using Youth Month to help unemployed youngsters find jobs.