South Africa

The National Press Club (NPC) has named COVID-19 as the Newsmaker of the Year for 2020.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on Thursday gazetted an updated COVID-19 TERS Direction, paving the way for the Unemployment Insurance Fund to process claims after the relief scheme’s extension last month.

Today marks exactly a year to the day that South Africa confirmed its first COVID-19 case.

Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has paid tribute to veteran journalist and political analyst Karima Brown for her contribution to the South African media industry.

South Africa now has 1 517 666 confirmed COVID-19 cases after the first case was reported in the country, one year ago.

The National Treasury has called on the public to comment on the draft amendments to Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has closed the last of the five sluice gates that were opened at the Vaal Dam following the desired reduction in water inflows into the dam.

Walking is the most common mode of transport used in the country, with about 17.4 million South Africans walking to their various destinations, followed by 10.7 million individuals who made use of taxis and 6.2 million who used car/truck as a driver.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council has approved the extension of the contracts for healthcare workers who were appointed to strengthen the provincial healthcare system.

These healthcare workers were also deployed to COVID-19 sites.

A total of 10 321 healthcare workers were employed last year, as part of the provincial plan to fight the spread of COVID-19.

During its ordinary meeting held on Wednesday, the Provincial Executive Council, led by Premier Sihle Zikalala, approved the extension of the contracts by six months.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says as people adapt to new ways of working and as they make use of technology to do their work, the digital revolution should also happen in rural areas.