Publisher

Two of the most important days on our nation’s annual events calendar aren’t public holidays, and it’s absolutely correct that they’re not.

Each February, South Africans from all walks of life share the tradition of focusing their attention on the State of the Nation Address, in which the President of the Republic addresses the nation on the country’s achievements in a given period and outlines government’s plans for the year ahead.

The new retirement reforms aim to help South Africans to protect their retirement savings. Here's more information:

Why did government pursue these reforms in the first place?

The reforms seek to protect retirees from old age poverty by encouraging them to save for retirement. They also seek to simplify the current system and make products more transparent.
What are the changes that will come into effect on 1 March 2016?

Government has introduced a law that aims to encourage South Africans to save and plan better for their retirement. In December last year, President Jacob Zuma signed into law the Taxation Laws Amendment Act of 2015 to assist households and ensure that they are not vulnerable to poverty, especially during retirement.  

Government has pledged R32 million to help farmers affected by drought. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has made available soft loans as emergency funding towards working capital, infrastructure and a small portion for carry-over debt for the commercial sector.

A soft loan is a loan with a below-market rate of interest. Giving an update on the status of drought relief support to the agricultural sector, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana said the funding had already been approved.

Often people witness a crime but are too afraid to approach the police with the information, fearing that their lives would be in danger.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is stepping up efforts to fight crime and transform the police service.

The days when Nonhlawulo Mkhungu (20) of Emakhabeleni had to study using candlelight are over. The KZN provincial government is making progress in ensuring that rural and previously-disadvantaged communities, like the one Mkungu lives in, have access to electricity through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP).

After years of using a run-down building as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre known as Tfutfukani Educare Centre, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, through the branch Rural Infrastructure Development, intervened and built a modern structure in Ntunda village in Mpumalanga.

Applications: Tel: 012 315 1111 Private Bag X81, Pretoria, 0001 Momentum Centre, 329 Pretorius Street, Pretoria

Closing date: 22 February 2016