South Africa

Pretoria - Cabinet has approved plans to provide assistance to poor households with regards to set-top-boxes.

Pretoria - South Africa says it remains concerned about the ongoing attacks in Northern Mali carried out by the secessionist National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (NMLA), especially their impact on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.

Pretoria - South Africa has emphasised its commitment to continue contributing to the resolution of peace and security challenges facing Africa, as it prepares to relinquish its seat in the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC).

Cape Town - The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, has called for concrete measures to see that part of the national budget is allocated to women, children and people with disabilities.

Pretoria - The North West Provincial Government has welcomed the agreement to re-instate the 17 000 workers who were dismissed following an illegal strike at Impala Platinum, the world's second-largest platinum producer.

Pretoria - The proposed Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill will help address socio-economic problems like unemployment among the youth, says the Department of Trade and Industry (dti).

Johannesburg - Dubbed as agents of change and nurturers, teachers were recognised for their outstanding work, dedication and commitment at the 12th Annual National Teaching Awards on Thursday evening.

Mbombela - Many aspiring nurses in Mpumalanga province are unemployable because they are under-qualified, says provincial Health Department spokesman Dumisani Mlangeni.

Johannesburg - Government will intensify its efforts to address the threat posed by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the Witwatersrand area, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Thursday.

Pretoria - Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has named the 10 districts in the country identified for the much-awaited pilot of the National Health Insurance (NHI), which will be phased in from 1 April 2012.

Johannesburg - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has urged educators to raise the standard of teaching to improve the quality of education.

Cape Town - Commanding officers in the South African Navy and the German Navy taskforce on Thursday applauded one another at the end of a series of joint naval exercises on anti-piracy operations near Simons Town Naval Base.

Nelspruit - Over the next five years, the Mpumalanga government will focus its energies on overhauling the provincial education system in order to improve the quality of learning and teaching.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will travel to Asia next week for two crucial meetings - one focusing on security and the other on consolidating South Africa's trade interests.

Nelspruit - In a bid to create an environment conducive to the successful implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), seven community health centres and clinics will be constructed and existing facilities upgraded in Mpumalanga.