South Africa

Cape Town - In the next few months, South Africans will get an opportunity to debate what kinds of reforms can be taken to improve the country's social security system.

Pretoria - "Dear Madiba - please get well" - this is one of the messages written on placards at Milpark Hospital where former President Nelson Mandela spent the night for a routine check up.

Pretoria - KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, will be among the visitors eager to get a peek at new born babies at the GJ Crookes Hospital come New Year's Day.

Pretoria - Government plans to build 220 000 housing units for each financial year between now and 2014.

Polokwane - The Limpopo government is spending nearly R20 million to build community libraries in some of the province's deep rural areas.

Pretoria - Detectives of the Port Shepstone Organised Crime Unit have earned the praise of Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa for the role they played in the conviction of Umzinto serial killer, Thozamile Taki.

Pretoria - A development agency is to be established in the Western Cape, in an effort to attract investment to the province, says Premier Helen Zille.

Pretoria - The African National Congress (ANC) has called on South Africans to remain calm, following former president Nelson Mandela's admission to Milpark Hospital for routine tests.

Pretoria - Government has increased efforts against the fight against alcohol and substance abuse which are "major public health and social concerns undermining society".

Pretoria - Motorists have been warned to watch their behaviour behind the wheel as reckless driving could see them go into the New Year without their licenses.

Pretoria - The City of Cape Town will implement a new liquor by-law that regulates alcohol trading hours as of midnight 31 December.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has joined the chorus of well wishers from around the world in wishing Nelson Mandela a speedy recovery after he was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for routine tests.

Pretoria - A skills development forum is to be created in the Western Cape to ensure that skills development programmes meet the requirements of a growing economy, says Premier Helen Zille.

Pretoria - Traveller volumes in all South African ports of entry including air, land and sea ports have increased by 11 percent since the beginning of the festive season.

Pretoria - The final bells for the registration of illegal Zimbabweans living in South Africa are tolling, with only three days left before the deadline of 31 December 2010 as set out by Cabinet.