Water dept procurement processes to be reviewed

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has appointed a task team to review procurement processes in the department. Minister Mokonyane made the announcement during a media briefing on... 

South Africa to export pigeon peas, pork, mango to India

As part of ongoing efforts by member States to improve intra-Brics trade, South Africa has been granted an opportunity to export pigeon peas also known as cajanus cajan, pork, mango and persimmons... 

Minister notes set-top box encryption court ruling

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi has noted the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling on the free-to-air television broadcaster, eTV’s Set Top Boxes (STBs) encryption court battle. The Supreme Court... 

BRT to change the face of Sandton

The much anticipated Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) is expected to change the face of Sandton, allowing commuters to travel seamlessly between Alexandra and Sandton by 2017. Construction, which... 

Motlanthe appointed to chair legislative review panel

Former President Kgalema Motlanthe has been appointed to chair an advisory panel that will be tasked with assessing key legislation that was passed by Parliament since 1994. The 17-member panel,... 

Township businesses to get govt contracts

The Gauteng Provincial Government has committed to giving qualifying township-based businesses all contracts that are under R500 000. Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture... 

New customs legislation to benefit SA

Brand new customs legislation, which the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is expected to implement soon, will bring about a number of trade benefits for the country, says the Commissioner of... 

Resolve mining disputes speedily – Minister

Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has urged stakeholders in the mining industry to work together to resolve labour disputes as speedily as possible. “Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi... 

Minister to meet mining industry stakeholders

Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane will in the next few days hold a meeting with stakeholders in the mining sector to discuss challenges and opportunities available in the industry. “I am... 

DTI reiterates Aerosud presence at CAV

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reiterated that Aerosud occupies a building in the Centurion Aerospace Village (CAV). “Assertions by the Democratic Alliance that this is not the case... 

Tough action against housing contractors

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo has warned that action will be taken against contractors who fail on their contractual obligations. “Once we get the facts about why the project was... 

SA's top brands announced

MTN, Vodacom and Sasol have emerged as the top three most valuable brands in South Africa. This was revealed on Tuesday when Brand South Africa and Brand Finance Africa announced the country’s top... 

Efforts stepped up in climate change

South Africa has stepped up efforts to reduce the country’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, says Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa. “To ensure that our country’s food,... 

Bill to make copper theft a serious offence

President Jacob Zuma has announced that Cabinet has approved a Bill that will help curb copper theft and any vandalism of infrastructure because disrupting infrastructure will be regarded as a more... 

SA attends Agoa Forum

Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Rob Davies, has arrived in Libreville, Gabon, where he will attend the 14th African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) Forum. Minister Davies will attend the forum... 

Collective efforts needed to manage water efficiently

Department of Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has called for collective leadership in the efforts to manage water efficiently for sustainable development. Speaking at a high-level... 

Free trade agreement to offer limitless opportunities

Once established, the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) will offer “limitless opportunities” to world markets such as Japan, says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. “During the recent African... 

Government welcomes Medupi's unit 6 operation

Government has welcomed the full commercial operation of unit six at the Medupi power station. “This is a good achievement by Medupi and is in line with the Five-Point Plan to deal with the... 

95% of S Africans access drinking water

Government has already met the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals of reducing the number of people who don’t have access to basic water supply by half. According to figures released by... 

Operation Phakisa to raise standard of education

Preliminary work has begun for Operation Phakisa in Basic Education, and the Education Phakisa Lab process will begin in September/October this year, says President Jacob Zuma. He said the... 

Operation Phakisa betters health services

The health system in South Africa has since last November received a face-lift, as government launched Operation Phakisa Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance. President Jacob Zuma said building... 

New national policy for youth

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration Jeff Radebe, says the National Youth Policy 2020 will address challenges such as... 

Telecoms DG placed on precautionary suspension

Telecommunications and Postal Services Director General Rosey Sekese has been placed on precautionary suspension for a period of 60 days while the Public Service Commission conducts an independent... 

Trade between Brics countries up 70%

President Jacob Zuma says trade has increased by 70% between Brics member countries over the past couple of years and that South Africa stands to benefit from the Brics Development Bank. The... 

Notorious Moloto Road now part of Sanral network

One of South Africa’s most dangerous roads, the Moloto Road which runs north of Pretoria and passes through three provinces, has been incorporated into the South African National Roads Agency... 

Eskom to implement load-shedding

Due to increased electricity demand and a shortage of generation capacity, Eskom will implement stage 2 load shedding this afternoon. This after the power system was constrained but stable for much... 

DTPS Minister supports independent inquiry

Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Siyabonga Cwele says he agrees with the Public Service Commission’s recommendation that there should be an independent inquiry into the management... 

Petrol price to drop by 51c

The petrol price will come down by 51c as of next week, said the Department of Energy on Friday. According to the department, the price of Diesel 0.05% Sulphur will decrease by 75 cents while that... 

Treasury takes steps to improve retirement industry

National Treasury is taking steps towards implementing proposals that aim to lower charges and improve market conduct in the retirement industry. Members of the public are invited to comment on the... 

Court ruling on Putco application welcomed

Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi has welcomed a Labour Court judgement which dismissed an application by Putco to have new bus operator, Autopax, take over staff affected by the... 

Despite recent rainfall, drought remains severe in KZN

The KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department has warned that despite the recent rainfall, which has been pouring in the province for the past few days, the prolonged... 

Mining towns get R18bn facelift

Government has allocated R18-billion to improve the socioeconomic conditions of distressed mining communities across the country. Headed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) in charge of... 

Home Affairs debates immigration policy with stakeholders

The Department of Home Affairs on Tuesday kicked off a two-day colloquium in Pretoria to deliberate on South Africa’s international migration policy. The colloquium is a culmination of the work... 

Municipalities buy less electricity – Stats SA report

Purchases of electricity by municipalities have decreased by 4.4% between the quarters ended December 2014 and March 2015, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Tuesday. Joe De Beer, the... 

SA-Mauritius tax treaty comes into force

Government has gazetted the South Africa-Mauritius tax treaty which came into force at the end of May, said National Treasury. “This new treaty reflects changes in the tax policies of the two... 

Seminar on construction industry regulations to be held

The Department of Labour is to host an informational session ahead of the implementation of the registration of construction health and safety professionals and the implementation of the... 

S African oceans to unlock opportunities in economy

South Africa’s oceans have the potential to unlock the country’s economic development opportunities, said Environmental Affairs deputy Minister Barbara Thomson. “We thus need to develop a proactive... 

Innovative ways needed to address unemployment – Minister

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant says the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality calls for innovative and decisive ways to address them. This, according to Minister Oliphant,... 

Stockouts force SA to source drugs outside country

The South African government would be sourcing drugs in short supply outside the country because of problems with sourcing medicine locally, the health department said on Monday. Health Minister... 

Africa urged to integrate, unite

Delegates attending the African Union (AU) Summit in South Africa have been urged to use the meeting to deepen the continent’s economic integration and unity at a time when the vision of Agenda...