South Africa

Pretoria - Government has launched a new Mining Charter after an assessment of the former charter revealed certain targets had not been met.

Pretoria - Economists are expecting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), due to be released on Tuesday, to have grown at a lesser pace than initially anticipated.

Pretoria - Banyana Banyana secured a confidence-boosting victory in their 2010 CAF African Women Championship warm up match when they thrashed Zimbabwe 4-nil at Makhulong stadium on Sunday.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will later this morning visit the Afrikaner community of Orania in the Northern Cape, the Presidency said.

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has expressed her heartfelt appreciation to doctors, volunteers and non-striking nurses assisting in the hospitals during the public service strike.

Pretoria - Government has thanked those South Africans who have heeded the call to volunteer and assist at state hospitals and clinics during the public service strike.

Pretoria - The violence and intimidation that has characterised the current public service strike is abnormal, unacceptable and deplorable, says Government spokesperson Themba Maseko.

Pretoria - Government has appealed to public sector unions to sign its settlement offer without delay, saying the offer is close to what public servants are demanding.

Johannesburg - Gauteng Economic Development MEC Firoz Cachalia has slashed the amount paid to Blue IQ board members to attend meetings by more than half, effective from Monday this week.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has urged school children to play chess referring to it as one education tool that can strengthen a child's mind.

Pretoria - National Planning Commission Minister Trevor Manuel is to assist President Jacob Zuma in his duties in the African Union (AU), said the Presidency.

Pretoria - Government has urged that it be afforded the space to conduct its work following media reports that a Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards.

Johannesburg - The South African Airways (SAA) group has recorded an increase in profits of 45 percent in the past financial year.

Pretoria - Members of school governing bodies in KwaZulu-Natal have been called on to assist in conducting lessons to ensure learning in schools continues.

Gallagher Estate, Midrand
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga,
The Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Gert Oosthuizen,
Leadership of Chess South Africa,
Leadership of the Supreme Chess Trust and the Moves for Life programme,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening to you all.