South Africa

Johannesburg - Controversial Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy will play for Bafana Bafana in two upcoming international friendlies against Japan and Jamaica next week.

Pretoria - About 300 people, including people living with HIV and AIDS, and health experts are expected to gather at the Gallagher Estate on Friday for the inaugural Positive Convention on Living with HIV and AIDS.

Mafikeng - The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) in the North West has expressed concern over failure by the Office of the Premier to lead by example in avoiding fruitless expenditure as described by the Auditor-General Terrence Nombembe in his report tabled in the provincial assembly recently.

Johannesburg - Government has come up with a draft national solar water heating framework aimed at popularizing the idea of solar water power, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said on Thursday.

Peddie - A group of RDP house recipients in the Eastern Cape have joined the fight to save the environment in the run-up to the COP17 climate change conference later this month.

Pretoria - Gauteng Education MEC Barbara Creecy has launched an Extra School Support Programme to provide homework assistance and sporting activities to underperforming schools in the province.

Pretoria - While the current financial crisis has shown that change is inevitable, the world cannot attain higher growth without addressing the root causes of imbalances in the global economy, says President Jacob Zuma.

Pietermaritzburg - The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will have to play a critical role in ensuring that government creates 11 million jobs by 2030, says KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize.

Gariep Dam - A R45 million fish hatchery is to be constructed in Gariep Dam in the Free State to not only supply local community projects, but create employment opportunities.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has welcomed the findings of Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela, relating to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

By Albert Pule

Pietermaritzburg - The number of Aids related deaths has decreased in KwaZulu-Natal since 2009.

By Albert Pule

Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's maiden Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) has been welcomed by business and labour.

Durban - Springbok flank Schalk Burger was named the South African Rugby Player of the Year for the second time, having first won the award in 2004.

Pietermaritzburg - The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has spent R900 million in KwaZulu-Natal through its capital program during the current 2012/13 financial year.