All eyes on G20 meeting in Russia

All eyes will be on Russia as leaders of the 20 major economies of the world meet here to discuss measures aimed at boosting growth in the world economy. Fighting unemployment and corruption, tax... 

Gauteng to roll out R11bn solar panel project

The Gauteng Provincial Government is to spend R11-billion for a large scale roll-out of solar panels on all State-owned buildings across the province. This will result in the generation of... 

SA to increase economic ties with São Tomé

President Jacob Zuma on Thursday hinted at the possibility of South Africa exploring interest in the economic growth of the small island of São Tomé and Príncipe, including the discovery of oil... 

National Empowerment Fund mandate not in question

The mandate of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) is not in question, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Friday. In a joint statement issued by the Department of Trade and Industry... 

Cabinet discusses economic outlook, priorities

The Cabinet Lekgotla under way in Pretoria will look at South Africa’s economic outlook and progress made to implement the programmes outlined by President Jacob Zuma in the State of the Nation... 

Pule found guilty of breaching code of conduct

Parliament’s select ethics committee has recommended that former Minister of Communications Dina Pule be fined the equivalent of a month’s salary, and will have to apologise publically in the... 

Business supports NDP

The South African business sector says it fully supports the National Development Plan (NDP), a policy blueprint for eliminating poverty and reducing inequality in South Africa by 2030. Addressing... 

Sacci welcomes Obama's Agoa comments

Business has welcomed the support given by the US to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) beyond 2015, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Monday.... 

Govt seeks to transform housing landscape

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale says government wants to empower people by giving them affordable housing bonds, as this would help to sustain and grow a developmental state. Speaking at... 

Effect of weak rand on inflation relatively constrained – Marcus

The depreciation of the rand is estimated to spike inflation well above the 6% target, but the move would be “relatively constrained”, South African Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus said on... 

Foreign investors still interested in SA mining sector

Foreign investors are still interested in South Africa’s mining sector, Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Godfrey Oliphant said, adding that a number of projects are shovel-ready in the... 

Pandor first to get smart ID card

Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor has become the first person to receive a smart ID card. The new ID was delivered to her office today. The new smart Identity Document (ID) card will be rolled... 

Africa offers opportunity for north, south to work together – Zuma

In developing Africa, countries from the north and the south have the unique opportunity to work together to change the lives of millions of Africans, President Jacob Zuma said today. Briefing the... 

SA a promising investment destination – WEF participants

South Africa is a promising investment destination, business executives from companies from around the world said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, which ends today in... 

E-toll credit evasion allegation unfounded – Sanral

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has described the accusations of having applied for an exemption from the National Credit Act (NCA), in relation to the Gauteng Freeway... 

Public Works programme responding to SA’s challenges

Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi says the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) remains an effective part of government’s response to the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and... 

Public Works aligns objectives with NDP

The Department of Public Works is currently aligning its activities to support the identified goals of the National Development Plan (NDP), Public Works Minister Thulasi Nxesi announced on... 

Germany a crucial agricultural investor for SA

Germany remains an important agricultural investment partner for South Africa - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said on Monday. “… Germany is quite important to... 

Gordhan clarifies stance on cutting of UK aid

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says he did not agree to the British government’s decision to cut aid to Africa, with his role in the discussions having been misrepresented. “I was surprised to... 

State-owned companies not recognised in policy

Government’s strategic motivation in owning state-owned companies is still not recognised in policy, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba has said. “The challenge that we face is that the... 

Energy dept speaks out on PetroSA

The Department of Energy (DoE) has acknowledged that it is aware of a Hawks investigation into allegations of criminal activity at PetroSA. “The DoE wishes to acknowledge that it is aware of and... 

Bill to standardise business licences – October

A new business licensing bill will merely extend and standardise the issuing of licences, which already exists across the country, but is not being implemented uniformly, Department of Trade and... 

Davies leading study to boost value-added trade in Brics

Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies is looking at ways to boost South Africa’s manufactured exports to its Brics partner countries, and is coordinating a joint research study on how to boost... 

R10m project to benefit Bredasdorp community

Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has launched a R10-million Construction Skills Development and job creation project in memory of Anene Booysen. Launched on Saturday in... 

Gas Amendment Bill 2013 approved

Cabinet has approved the Gas Amendment Bill 2013. “This paves the way for the Bill to be published in the Gazette for public comment,” a Cabinet statement issued by the Government Communication and... 

Cabinet receives report on small business payments

Government says it remains committed to timeous payment of small businesses that render services to the state. Cabinet received a report on compliance with Treasury Regulation that requires... 

Sefa plans to lend over R737m to 15 000 small businesses

The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) plans to disburse over R737-million to more than 15 000 small firms – most of these micro enterprises – by the end of the 2013/14 financial year, Sefa... 

No open road tolling planned for Cape Town

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has dismissed allegations that it will implement the same Open Road Tolling system in Cape Town as it has in Gauteng. Sanral has labelled... 

President Zuma to attend Sacu meeting

President Jacob Zuma will on Friday attend the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) Summit in Gaborone, Botswana. The one-day summit will be attended by Heads of State and Governments of the Sacu... 

DTI to launch fifth Ipap iteration

The department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will next week launch the fifth iteration of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (Ipap) which will outline government’s plans to industrialise the South... 

Komati water scheme launched

Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa has marked National Water Week by unveiling the Komati Water Scheme Augmentation Project (KWSAP), which has been designed to resolve the water... 

Food security top for Brics nations

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson says Brics member countries have put food security at the top of the agenda ahead of the all-important summit in Durban. She was... 

Unit to oversee job creation in Ekurhuleni

In a bid to reduce unemployment in Ekurhuleni, the City of Ekurhuleni Mayor, Mondli Gungubele, has announced that they will set up a Job Creation Programme Management Unit. Gungubele said the unit... 

Cabinet concerned about SABC, SAA, Eskom

Cabinet has noted with concern the recent developments at the SABC, SAA and Eskom, with the respective ministers expected to report to Cabinet following discussions with the entities, Acting... 

SA, Belarus discuss cooperation in agriculture

South Africa and Belarus marked the beginning of an important relationship with the two countries establishing a working group in facilitating bilateral cooperation in agriculture. Minister of... 

Industrial Development Zone to be created around OR Tambo airport

Africa’s busiest airport, OR Tambo International Airport is a fitting location for the continent’s first aerotropolis, says Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi. “Work on the development... 

Gauteng to roll out infrastructure development

In line with its vision 2055, Gauteng MEC for Finance Mandla Nkomfe, says the province plans to roll out massive infrastructure programmes – such as building roads, refurbishing schools and... 

Gordhan announces proposals on retirement reform

In a bid to encourage South Africans to save more, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, has announced plans to introduce tax-preferred savings and investment accounts in 2015. Presenting the... 

Infrastructure plan should not be impacted by slowdown

South Africa ‘s massive infrastructure plan should not be allowed to be impacted upon by the global economic slowdown or derailed by a lack of funding, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba... 

Manuel urges South Africans to own development

South Africans need to take ownership of the country’s development, National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel said on Wednesday. Manuel visited Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain outside Cape Town as...